What good practice on hand fitting parts?

[Mosinguy]

What type of techniques would you guys recommend for honing my hand fitting skills? I've heard about filing an odd shaped piece of metal into a square and then into a circle, any other ideas?

 

[Kurr]

I've heard of a young smith being handed a 12" - 3/8" rod and being told to make it 3" kept round 3" square, 3" octagon, 3" triangle. This was for practice draw filing though.

 

[SERparacord]

What type of techniques would you guys recommend for honing my hand fitting skills? I've heard about filing an odd shaped piece of metal into a square and then into a circle, any other ideas?

I just usually buy parts that fit close, then stone them to final fit. No need to sit around with a file all day. Of course some people like to make circles out of squares.

 

[Cannon]

I think the biggest trick to hand filing is patience. Doing the 3/8" rod trick sounds something like the "wax on wax off". If you already have patience and can step back and see what really needs to be filed you are good to go.