Every working technician should own a good electric file, whether your use is all day long or once in a while. Backfilling is difficult by hand and some other areas are hard to reach with a file such as the undersides and the cuticle areas. Shortening nails, high shine buffing; natural nail prep and refining tips are a few other reasons for an electric file. Using an electric file during pedicures is becoming trend. Techs are using e-files to reshape thick toe nails and with special bits to remove callous. This is especially effective in places on the foot that are hard to reach. Many techs that perfect their skills with the electric file shorten their time, increase profits and it is also a great way to avoid carpel tunnel.
How Fast Should I Use My Electric File?
The average RPM usage is between 7500 and 15,000 RPMs, depending on the service. Your cuticle work and backfill cutting should be slower than the filing on the top surface. Finding the right RPM for each service takes practice. Your RPM'S depend on how you use the machine and that differs from tech to tech. You will be able to tell if the speed is too slow your bit will grab and you will not make any headway in your filing, try a slightly higher RPM to see if you're more comfortable. The same goes for if you are using the electric file too fast; you will not have control, so try slowing down.
Do Electric Files Damage The Nails?
No, however in the hands of an untrained technician the electric file can be damaging, butultimately the damage is done but the technician.
What To Ask Yourself Before Buying An Electric File?
A good portion of the phone calls we receive at KUPA are technical calls, especially about electric files. Questions range from what machine should I purchase to what bits will I need. Between Sara, who handles most of the calls, and myself, we assist thousands yearly, guiding them to make the right decision. This is something the team at KUPA does at trade shows as well. If a nail tech inquires at our trade show booth we give them what I call a “drill tour.” We start at the bottom and work our way to the top of the line, explaining all the features and benefits of each machine, along with the costs.
Purchasing an electric file for the first time can be a bit overwhelming and you need to do your homework. Think of it like buying a car. Shop around, ask your friends, look at what everyone else has, and then do some comparative shopping.
I firmly believe that every nail professional should have a good machine, whether they use it all the time or just once in a while. Electric files can enhance your services, save your hands, do efficient backfills, and get into places a hand file can’t. On the other hand, I believe every tech should be able to hand file without the use of an electric file, producing the same quality service, no matter how you file. Plus you do not want to be handicapped if you don’t have access to an electric file for some reason.
Here are a few things you should consider when doing your comparative shopping:
USAGE Will you use it on every client or only a few times a day? Are you fully booked or just starting out? (That will also play a part in how much you will use it.) Have you been hand filing for years and need to use an e-file to save your hands? How much table space do you have available for an electric file on your desk?
COST Do you want a starter machine? Will you want to upgrade to a higher-end machine later? Do you want the best one available or an intermediate model? How much you plan on spending will dictate what you can get for your money.
