Hi,
I'm looking to buy a files set for metalworking.
What should I be looking for?
I went to small store near my home, and they had a 3 part set, which seemed very un professional. It was 6$.

Thanks,
Kfir

Bastard Cut 1/2 rounds and rounds from 4 to 14 inches and few 6 inch swiss pattern half rounds 0,1,3 would be a nice start

preferably swiss or US made

I'm happy with Simond so far seems to be a decent file. Nicholson used to be, people seem not so happy with them since they switched production to Brazil

I have no real trouble with my Nicholsons, but I don't work with anything tougher than 531.

I like a 12" flat bastard for rough cutting, and a 10" half round bastard or double cut for mitering. I get a lot of use out an 8" flat single cut as well. Those three files would serve me by themselves, if I had no choice, and they would be the three I'd get right away. Over the years I've also bought a dozen or so others, most of which get used on a semi-regular basis.

6J, you don`t use any needle files, or did you just not count them along with the big ones?

Semi related: where do you guys get emory cloth from? Do you buy it in rolls, rather than sheets?

Didn't count 'em -- although some of my frames have been "plug and play" utility builds using good cast lugs from Henry James and no real effort at finishing. IOW, it's possible to build useable frames without needle files -- but you have to have a few "big" ones.

FWIW, I bought a cheapo set of needle files in a variety of shapes; think I spent $25 and they've been adequate.

I've used emery cloth on rolls and in sheets torn to the right size. I don't really have a preference. I buy both kinds at my local ACE hardware store.

One of the local industrial supply houses here for shop cloth. Norton in rolls. Seems to be better than the current 3m stuff and definitely better than the no name chinese I got off of ebay.