Deburring Technique For Short Edges?

[Paul Alciatore]

We all know that cutting metals can leave rough edges. Some metals will always be drawn away from the exiting edge of the cut forming a ragged extended ribbon that has to be removed. This even happens to some extent with harder metals, probably due to high temperatures causing the metal to flow. So, we need to de-burr after making most cuts.

I often use a file to remove these burrs from freshly cut parts. Last night I was cutting some aluminum brackets for an electronic project. They were simple 1" x 1" x 1/4" blocks of an unknown aluminum alloy that I found in my scrap box. It was a somewhat harder alloy, perhaps 6061-T6. But when I milled it to size, the cutter left burrs on the edges and I grabbed a fine tooth file and proceeded to remove the burrs. This worked well on the 1" edges where I could easily file a nice, uniform 45° chamfer. But I have always found it more difficult to use a file or even a piece of fine sandpaper on a flat surface to de-burr the shorter edges like the 1/4" ones on these simple blocks. Often I will think I am holding the file or the part at the proper angle but when I look at the result, I find that one end of the edge has too much metal removed while the other end still has the burr present. So I have to go at it again.

I have purchased and tried some of those nifty Noga deburring tools, but they must be used twice on an edge in opposite directions to get both ends. So the middle get cut twice and has a larger chamfer than the edges. And you can leave one or two divots at the two starting places. I find I like using them most for deburring holes and curved edges, not straight ones.

I know this is not a real big deal, but I just started to wonder if there might be a better way to do this. And I know there are machines that make this an easy process, but I have neither the time, nor the money to buy or make one and even if I did, there is no place to put it in my overcrowded shop. Being a bit of a proud craftsman, I would like to make nice looking parts; as nice looking as I can, anyway.

Any thoughts? What do you do to de-burr a short edge?

[Black Forest]

Belt grinders are your friend.

[Arcane]

Maybe some of those needle files would work better, they usually have one flat one about 3/8" wide.

[epicfail48]

I stick to files for the most part. Like you mentioned its pretty easy to make a lopsided cut, but a bit of practice takes care of that. Ill admit though, sometimes i CBA to deal with burrs, so i just hit the part with a scotchbrite belt on my 2x72. Way less work that way

[Dan Dubeau]

Files, noga/shaviv, practice and patience.

My go to deburring file is a 1/2" half round. I can do about 95% of what I need done with it. Wouldn't be without my deburring hooks too. The other odball edges are where the needle files come out.

[oxford]

I primarily use either a file, the “Noga” deburring tool, or a Dremel with a carbine rotary file(carbide burr).

I would say the Dremel is my go to for edges. Add in a flex shaft with a smaller head and you can get very nice controllable results.

File to get into sharp corners where the 1/8” cutters radius can’t get to.

[J Tiers]

Belt grinders are your friend.

Yes they are. set the table straight, and hit the edges...... bing bang bong you are done.

OK if the short edge is on a stepped portion, you can't do that. but that was not your example.

[Toolguy]

I use Scotchbrite wheels and belts for all kinds of deburring and polishing. A few seconds gives a finely finished edge or surface.

[boslab]

I often use a stone as well like Gesswien blue ones I have a few rounds and triangles also, works
mark

[CalM]

for small work, I often use a piece of SiC paper taped to a flat surface. Two grits side by each, can be useful.

[BCRider]

By accident I found that using a narrow file without a handle tended to give an even cut on short edges like that. I was faced with some 1/4 or 3/8" wide edges and a triangle file was handy. It had no handle which I don't like but I was only deburring.... Turned out that due to the small tang and a finger on the upper edge of the triangle shape it was pretty easy to get a clean even cut on the short edges.

I later added an electrical nut to the tang "just in case" to avoid boy piercing myself and it was still good for short edges. It's now in my file drawer for just this sort of use.

[Paul Alciatore]

Sounds interesting. I will have to try it.

By accident I found that using a narrow file without a handle tended to give an even cut on short edges like that. I was faced with some 1/4 or 3/8" wide edges and a triangle file was handy. It had no handle which I don't like but I was only deburring.... Turned out that due to the small tang and a finger on the upper edge of the triangle shape it was pretty easy to get a clean even cut on the short edges.

I later added an electrical nut to the tang "just in case" to avoid boy piercing myself and it was still good for short edges. It's now in my file drawer for just this sort of use.

[JRouche]

Any thoughts? What do you do to de-burr a short edge?

Yes. In a few shops That I have been in the shop manager was the de-burring station.

I never worked in a big plant. These days I like my tumbler///

JR

[JoeLee]

For me, either a file or a stone. The stone leaves a smoother finish.



JL.............

[Rich Carlstedt]

Hands down, a Scotchbrite wheel
Fast and smooth de-burring , and it also
Cleans parts to be soldered, removes rust ,removes paint , polishes surfaces ,blends radiuses , cleans tools (ie putty knives) to name a few
Rich