Is Poplar OK for file handles?

[Frederick Skelly]

Guys,
I could post this in Turning but files are mostly a Neander tool, so I was hoping for your advice. (But if I could post it in both forums, I would.) Here's the deal.....

I'm turning a set of new handles for my Iwasaki Carving Files. My original thinking was to practice making them in pine and then switch to walnut or maple or maybe cocobolo for the "real thing". Then I pulled out a scrap of Poplar. That "practice" handle came out so pretty - nice grain, nice color, easy to work - that I thought maybe I'd just use Poplar.

Poplar is soft, so I wouldn't even consider it for a chisel handle. But do you think it is strong enough for a file/rasp handle? Edit: I'm using a brass ferrule to protect against splitting.

I'd appreciate your inputs. As always, thank you!

Fred

[Ryan Mooney]

Yep should be fine. I've even use pine without any real problems when lacking anything else. IMHO poplar is actually a pretty nice for this, its sturdy enough it should stand up pretty well but soft enough that you can pretty easily seat the tang in it. Some of the harder woods don't compress quite as well and actually have a bit harder time holding onto the file (walnut is fine as its not actually that hard but cocobolo you'd want to more carefully seat the file into it or its a bit more likely to come out).

[Jim Koepke]

Sometimes we worry too much about such things.

Sometimes the best way to find an answer to such a question is to just do it.

In my experience almost anything will work for a file handle. This includes a mushroom drawer pull, a corncob, a wine cork, a deer antler and many other first things to be within reach when a file handle was needed.

Pine works fine, so should poplar.

jtk

[Frederick Skelly]

It does sound like maybe I'm overthinking things, doesn't it?

Thanks for sorting me out guys!
Fred

[Thomas Schneider]

Lol Sometime I think "Overthinking things" is what we do best on these woodworking forms!

It does sound like maybe I'm overthinking things, doesn't it?

Thanks for sorting me out guys!
Fred

[Frederick Skelly]

Lol Sometime I think "Overthinking things" is what we do best on these woodworking forms!

Yeah, sometimes you're right about that Tom!

[Pat Barry]

I only have 1 file with a handle. All the others ones, when I use them, I think, why haven't I made a few more handles. LOL

[Ryan Mooney]

a corncob

Those actually do make really nice file handles.

[Brent Cutshall]

(Clears throat) There I was, just about to tackle the grueling 12 point crosscut saw filing job. As we clashed, I found that I was taking damage to the hands for the lack proper handle on my weapon(file). I begin to get worried, but no, there it was on the floor amongst the wood shavings and the cracker wrapper, a 1/4x2x3 pine block that I had cut from the end of a board for fun earlier that day. Though we had our differences, I pulled out my hand drill and forged an alliance between it and the file. We showed that saw how it is to be filed for crosscut. Who won, it's a toss up. But I still use my friend the pine block to this day, and I can saw miters faster than my brother who's miter saw is filed for rip. Thank you good people!

[Frederick Skelly]

Liked that Brent!

[Stewie Simpson]

Poplar is very Pop(u)lar for file handles.

[Frederick Skelly]

Poplar is very Pop(u)lar for file handles.

Stewie, I just keep thinking of those gorgeous saws you make and thinking I should have some really attractive handles on my files and later, my chisels. Your work was one of my motivators.

Also, I really liked what the amber shellac did for the walnut I used for my new mallet! Thanks for the tip.

Fred

[Mason Truelove]

Poplar is okay.. I've tried to use such that.

[John K Jordan]

Poplar is soft, so I wouldn't even consider it for a chisel handle. But do you think it is strong enough for a file/rasp handle? Edit: I'm using a brass ferrule to protect against splitting.

What kind of poplar, "true" poplar or yellow (tulip poplar)?

Yellow poplar heartwood can be quite durable. Hard and relatively heavy, too. I once made the mistake of making some deep brood boxes for my beehives out of yellow poplar. They were so much heavier than pine I decided not to use them. Those made from Eastern Red Ceder were much better. Of course, each tree can vary.

I have no experience with true poplar.

JKJ

[Frederick Skelly]

What kind of poplar, "true" poplar or yellow (tulip poplar)?

Yellow poplar heartwood can be quite durable. Hard and relatively heavy, too. I once made the mistake of making some deep brood boxes for my beehives out of yellow poplar. They were so much heavier than pine I decided not to use them. Those made from Eastern Red Ceder were much better. Of course, each tree can vary.

I have no experience with true poplar.

JKJ

Well, I don't honestly know John. I get it at the BORG. It often has a green color to part of a board.