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this is a StewMac .010 file. I was surprised to see the file's condition when I opened the box. It was bent and twisted. I tried to straighten it a little and clamped it to a straightedge over night but is still looks terrible. Is this normal?

Umm no, that's not right. Send 'em that pic and they'll send you a new one. You really can't 'fix' a bent file, it's too hard and will break.

You probably should get a replacement, but something I would try first is heat it to 400 degrees in your oven for an hour, then while it's hot, clamp it tightly between two thick metal plates (or whatever you have, as long as it's straight and rigid). After it's cool, unclamp it and see if it changed. If it didn't change, get it hot again, and try to straighten it with gloved hands. I have to do this occasionally with knife blades so it can work. Wear eye protection in case it does break.

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Regards,
Phillip Patton

http://www.pattonblades.com

The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded.

https://hoosierbladesmith.wordpress.com

I am going to try and straighten it , oven is getting hot now. I will show the outcome later.
I just wanted to make sure this was not normal for these files.

Baking the file may take the temper out of it and make it wear prematurely. Send it back!

No, me file didn't come bent like that...but me...me came pretty bent outa shape...no big deal...me still be gettin stuff done.

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It took 2 tries , The 1st time I clamped it between 2 files and there was no change. 2nd time I used a couple brass rods and worked it from both sides and got it usable. The picture shows the file beside the cover it came in, big difference. I am not worried about the temper to much at 400.

I cant understand how it bent like that in the first place. I would have to say it was defective from the get go and would have requested a replacement. Files don't bend like that they break!

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Another day, another dollar.

Some files are made of soft steel which is then case hardened. That type will bend, not break.

_________________
Regards,
Phillip Patton

http://www.pattonblades.com

The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded.

https://hoosierbladesmith.wordpress.com

I dont know how it got bent but the way the plastic cover stays bent when empty tells me it has been bent for a long time. I emailed Stewmac and told them about it and directed them to this thread for pictures. They refunded the money and promised to check their remaining inventory to make sure no others were bent so it wont happen again. I will order a new one next time I place an order.