file for putting teeth on cam locks

[Bushmonkey]

What's the bet file to put teeth on 5/64 cam locks?

[northerntrapper]

Originally Posted by Bushmonkey

What's the bet file to put teeth on 5/64 cam locks?

If the locks are hardened these files won't touch them.

[HunterDave]

Never used one so I don't know how it works, not cheap either. Someone on here mentioned using a dremel awhile back.

https://www.halfordsmailorder.com/eS..._ACFILECAMLOCK

[northerntrapper]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Never used one so I don't know how it works, not cheap either. Someone on here mentioned using a dremel awhile back.

https://www.halfordsmailorder.com/eS..._ACFILECAMLOCK

Marty has them, ATA, probably Trapper Gord's. You can compare prices.

[Bushmonkey]

I looked on trapper gords last night and didn't see them.

For halfords price I'm better off buying a dremel

[Hydro1]

Originally Posted by Bushmonkey

I looked on trapper gords last night and didn't see them.

For halfords price I'm better off buying a dremel

I use a dremel.
Takes 15-20 seconds per camlock.
Only difference between doing it with a hand file and a dremel is the amount of time you save using the dremel. Imo.

[Bushmonkey]

WHat bit do you use?

[Hydro1]

http://www.dremel.com/en-ca/Accessor...l.aspx?pid=420
I'm sure other bits would work fine too.

[waterninja]

I would think that using a disc grinder would work best. I would clamp the grinder down or put in vice. Use a 1/8 or better 1/16 disc. Hold the cam with pliers or vice grip and notch it.
Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection.

[bigbfidaddy]

X2 dremel with cut off wheel and use pliers no matter how well u think u have a hold of it with your fingers... Lol

[Hydro1]

Originally Posted by bigbfidaddy

X2 dremel with cut off wheel and use pliers no matter how well u think u have a hold of it with your fingers... Lol

You learned the hard way too eh?

[tomcat]

Buy the file. It's much simpler to file the groves.

[bigbfidaddy]

Yep sure did thought I had it. Oh I had it alright. Needed half a bottle of crazy glue to put that one back together lol. Now needle nose vise grips r always near..

[Tfng]

The file really does work well so long as your locks are not hardened. No crazy glue needed. It's very fast.

[Hydro1]

Would one of you guys mind posting up a picture of what your filed camlocks look like?

[Tfng]

There you go Hydro1. I used these locks almost exclusively last year. I did tinker with some lightning locks as well.

For all I know they could be filed improperly but to the best of my knowledge they're correct. The lock with a BAD is new while the other has a catch and you can see the small groove left. I had some locks more deeply grooved and some less. I wasn't one hundred percent satisfied with these locks.

Actually I realize now the lock with a BAD has been refiled after a catch.

[Hydro1]

Thanks TFNG!
Those look about 100 times better than any filed teeth I have ever done. My dremeled teeth don't even look like that.
Having issues getting that "sharp" look to them. Mine all look a little too rounded.

[Tfng]

I wondered sometimes if I was filing them too deep and weakening them too much. The file cuts all those teeth at once. The locks in the pics are 1/16.

[sourdough doug]

A jewellers file is what used to be the file. Haven't seen one so I don't know what made it special, maybe it's shape or hardness. FWIW..

[Tfng]

This is the file I use. It's a checkering file and it cuts nine perfectly spaced teeth.

Sourdough Doug- the jewellers file would do the same thing one tooth at a time.

[braggadoe]

those are great pics.

martys mentioned it several times, about tightening the clasp/rivet on the lighting locks.

at the same time as filling. most cam locks that have allready made a catch. like in the picture(and even virgin, brand new) seem sloppy. giving them a little pinch. really helps them lock up. so i've noticed.

[waterninja]

Something else that might work is clamping cam in vice and making grooves with a hack saw.

[Bushmonkey]

Originally Posted by waterninja

Something else that might work is clamping cam in vice and making grooves with a hack saw.

I bet this would work too... would take more time though.

[Tfng]

Just remember guys that achieving a solid lockup is the weak link in the whole setup. If you can get the coyotes front feet off the ground or wrapped up hard any old lock will work. With less than perfect entanglement the lock is crucial.

Everybody knows that I'm still learning but that has been my experience so far. Failure to achieve a solid lock up every time is one of the handful of reasons for my current love affair with Rams.