I use a jeweler file to grind pastel chaulks. It's covered with pigments and doesn't grind pastel chaulks effectively. How do I clean it? With a solvent? Water?

I don't know about cleaning the file, but an easier way to get the pastell dust is to use a sheet of drywall sanding screen . It's available at most home improvement stores.
Simply rub the pastel chalk over the abrasive screen so the dust colects in a container.
Don

A fine wire brush will clean a file...traditionally known as a filecard you can pick them up cheaply at most online tool stores... here's one on eBay....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/File-Cleaning-Brush-Steel-Bent-Wire-Bristles-1-x-2-Metal-Diamond-Files-Cleaning-/300944191017?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4611abee29

I would use an old toothbrush and run it under the tap. I would also lightly oil it after that.

I'll try a toothbrush. I need to find a better way to grind pastel chaulks. I thought about buying a tea strainer. Using a drywall sanding screen sounds great, though.

I clean my files with a small brass bristle suede brush & don't use oils of any kind on them, because of the residue oils will leave on my models! Instead, dust with non-scented baby talc. Had them 20+ years.

Try a coarse sandpaper to grind chalks, then tap into a clean jam jar or similar.

John's idea works well. I use 180-220 sandpaper. Jeff T.

Sandpaper not a file.

Also hold the file loosely and hit it on something hard like you bench vice. The vibration will knock most of the pastel dust out of the file.

Afterwards I clean them with lacquer thinner, the Home Depot special, gets everything off after brushing them with a steel toothbrush . Takes all the grease and oils off also .

toothbrush and water is how I did mine, now I scrape pastels with an no 11 blade into a container. better than using sandpaper I have found

For pastels, water and tooth brush should be fine, but lacquer thinner will definitely work as well.

Never oil a file! It causes it to skid on the surface instead of cutting.

Check out Alpha Abrasives Cleaning Disk.

Here are some review links:

http://www.internetmodeler.com/scalemodels/nrtools/Alpha-Precision-Abrasives-Abrasive-Cleaning-Disc.php

http://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/alpha-precision-abrasives-modelers-introductory-package

Cheers

They actually make a type of wire brushes that are specifically dedicated to cleaning files. I've used them for years on all sizes of files and they have served me very well.

If your jeweler's file is exceptionally fine, using water/rubbing alcohol/thinner and a soft bristled brush may be a better option.

The soft metal (brass) toothbrush is what I use, it works great
and cleans all known leftovers from graphite, plastic card to chalks off of the file. I grind pastel chalks with the edge of the file or as Matt said the back of a # 11 blade, don't add too much pressure just let the blade or file edge slip or be dragged over the chalk. Oh yes never add oil to a file, if you do it clog up faster than you open a can of beer.



Paul

If you use water the files will have to be dried very well or it may rust .