question about a file?

[Ron Nossaman]

At 09:20 PM 7/10/99 -0600, you wrote:
>Dear Pianotech,
>
>Today I wondered how a file became known as a "bastard" file.  Anyone have
>a resource or  information concerning the history of this naming, please?
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Keith McGavern
>kam544@flash.net
>Registered Piano Technician
>Oklahoma Chapter 731
>Piano Technicians Guild
>USA
>http://www.ptg.org/1999/conv/
>PTG Convention, Kansas City, July
>


Hi Keith,
Bastard refers to the tooth cut. I think it might have started as an
illegitimate modification of the parallel cuts of a mill file to a cross
hatch cut... a bastard. In use, it removes material faster, but leaves a
rougher finish, which would seem to be appropriate to the name. 

 Ron N