Grind with precision!
To perfect your angles, your corners, your edges or even your interstices, on wood or metal, here is my selection of best electric files !
What is the best electric file of 2022?
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Makita 9032 – Professional machine with 9 mm arm (possibility to also buy 6 and 13 mm)
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Black+Decker KA902EK-QS – My favorite (6 and 13 mm arms)
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Ryobi R18DD3-225S – Cordless (13mm arm)
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Wiltec 400W – A good choice for 50€ (6 and 13mm arms)
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Silverline 247820 – Another good machine (13mm arms)
↓ Professional
↓ Good value for money
↓ cheap
Contents
Makita 9032
Editor’s note: 4.5 / 5 | Reward : See the price on Amazon
For all precision work in hard-to-reach places, this Makita knows how to make itself useful. Perfect for sanding and shaping, including but not limited to door mortises, this is a professional electric file with a 9mm band width arm. However, it is also possible to use it with 6 and 13 mm bands by acquiring the appropriate guide arms. Thanks to its weight of 1.5 kg and its 2.5 m long power cable, it is easy to handle, especially since its arm can swivel 10° upwards and 90° downwards. down. With a power of 500 W, it is capable of driving the belt at an adjustable speed of 300 to 1700 rpm, enough to easily obtain an optimal result on all materials, be it wood, metal, glass or synthetic materials.
My opinion : If you are looking for a versatile professional machine, clearly this Makita 9032 is the one I recommend. Of course, it’s the fact that it can be fitted with guide arms of 6, 9 and 13 mm that makes it so appealing: it’s a narrow belt sander that can be easily used for different jobs on the job site. . It also has the necessary power and good maneuverability to make it a really practical tool, especially since the band change is done quickly, without the need for a tool. For this price and in this professional category, it is unfortunate that it does not come with a real storage box to protect it and store consumables. But it’s really a detail that in no way affects its performance!
Black+Decker KA902EK-QS
Editor’s note: 5 / 5 | Reward : See the price on Amazon
Black+Decker offers here an electric file designed for various surface and sanding applications. Indeed, it comes with 2 straight arms of 6 mm and 13 mm, as well as 1 angled arm of 13 mm. Thanks to a variable speed between 900 and 1400 rpm, it is able to offer a certain precision in the execution of the work, whether it is a matter of sanding wood in a narrow place or filing rust on a curved surface. Along with a dust-proof switch that protects internal components, this dust is both captured and collected by cyclonic action so as not to disturb during operation. Usable by both DIYers and professionals, it works on all types of surfaces and materials, whether wood, metal or ceramic.
My opinion : This band file is without a doubt my favourite: of all the models available on the market, it has one of the best quality/price ratios! For very specific sanding needs, such as corners or angles, it is really ideal, either for its power or for the guide arms it incorporates. Black+Decker even includes 6 sanding belts in the box, and even if the grit isn’t necessarily right for what you intend to do, it can still be used. The case does require you to remove the arm to store the device, but if you’re not going to use it every day, you won’t mind. At this price, it is an excellent option, especially since the machine is lighter and very manageable!
Ryobi R18DD3-225S
Editor’s note: 4 / 5 | Reward : See the price on Amazon
To gain flexibility and reach tight places even more easily, this fine electric file is cordless. Equipped with a battery, it remains light and perfectly controllable. It is notably equipped with a locking button, but also with a control to vary its speed, allowing it to sand and polish effectively different types of materials, whether wood or metal, for example. To take advantage of its 13 mm arm without delay, 3 abrasive belts are provided, then it is very easy to change them and adjust them thanks to the lever installed on the device. On the other hand, the machine is delivered without battery but it accepts all 18V batteries on the market, including of course the brand’s One+ to enjoy greater autonomy.
My opinion : Among the files in the band, this Ryobi is another good value. If I wanted to present it to you, it is because in terms of performance it is a good alternative to wired machines. The fact that it only has a 13mm arm makes it a bit less attractive than the previous Black+Decker, and since it’s a bit slower it’s less suitable for large-scale work. But for small occasional sanding jobs, when you need a more specific tool because access is difficult, there is still something practical and useful. If you already have a range of Ryobi tools, it will also be a perfect complement, and at the same time you can use its batteries so that the final price remains attractive.
Wiltec 400W
Editor’s note: 4.5 / 5 | Reward : See the price on Amazon
For a totally versatile use, the Wiltec 400W is not satisfied with a single guide arm: it comes with 3 different arms! With belt widths of 6 and 13 mm, the box includes 2 straight arms and 1 angled arm to facilitate work in hard-to-reach spaces. In addition, for optimum maneuverability and to obtain the ideal working angle, they can even be swiveled by 90°. Thanks to an adjustable speed between 900 and 1400 rpm, it adapts to all materials, from wood to metal, including stone, ceramic or even plastic. Finally, it comes with 10 abrasive belts with different grains for immediate use, the tensioner also allows easy change and replacement.
My opinion : Small price but big capacities! Just because this Wiltec is cheap doesn’t mean it offers performance at a discount. So yeah, it’s obviously not designed for professional use and I noticed that it tends to get a little hot when used for a long time. But other than that, it does its job well! What is especially appreciable is that this electric file is also supplied with 2 guide arms to multiply the uses, which is not always the case with other brands. It’s lightweight, handy and easy to use, which means I’d have no problem recommending it if you need such a tool for the work you do around the house.
Silver line 247820
Editor’s note: 4 / 5 | Reward : See the price on Amazon
Sanding, polishing, shaping, descaling… this Silverline narrow belt sander is the solution for all jobs that require a tool capable of reaching the tightest places. Equipped with a 13 mm arm, it comes with 2 abrasive belts (grain 80 and 120) to directly tackle work on different types of materials such as wood or metal. From its easily accessible wheel, its speed is controllable and thanks to a maximum speed of 550 rpm as well as an adjustable working angle, the work carried out is always precise and precise. Two other elements also allow the machine to gain in practicality. A tension screw at the base of the arm makes it easy to change belts and an extraction nozzle on the side allows you to connect a system capable of collecting dust.
My opinion : Very simple but quite useful, that’s how I could describe this Silverline! If with its maximum speed of 550 rpm it clearly does not manage to compete with the other models of this selection, it is nonetheless a good model at a very attractive price. For occasional small jobs, you won’t be disappointed with its performance at all and it’s an electric file that gives really good sanding results. I also find that it is ideal for people who are not used to fretting in the sense that it is very easy to adjust, to take in hand and that it is not complicated either to change band. If it’s a tool that won’t be used regularly and you don’t want to spend too much money, this model is a good option!