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Five Things You Need to Know About E-files

1. E-files can save lives

Although they don’t save lives, they can save lives and careers. You might think that “E-files Save Lives” would make a great T-shirt. Did you know that nail techs who hand-filed for their entire careers are much more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and other nerve/tendon/joint-related conditions as a result of wear-and-tear on their bodies? Hand-filing can wear down your arm and hand. E-filing allows you to use an advanced tool to do the job for you. You can also be more precise and efficient.

A hand file is limited to one flat surface. This can make it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, such as the cuticle and sidewalls. A regular file is much easier to use and can be more labor-intensive for lifting old products. electric nail files and bits are so specific that we can now do a complete service from start to end with less effort, more precision, and even greater efficiency. An e-file can do all the same things as a hand file, plus 10 times more. You will be a blessing to your wrist, arm, shoulder, and hand.

2. Without torque, RPMs are meaningless

Imagine a car capable of traveling 500 mph. Wow! That’s amazing! Imagine that same car pulling a trailer filled with unicorns. It’s the same car, but it struggles. It can’t travel 500 mph, and it can’t transport unicorns. It doesn’t have the speed or torque to haul unicorns. It has speed but not torque. Rotations per minute (RPM) are what nail technicians look for when looking for an electric file. However, RPMs do not tell you how fast the electronic file can spin. RPMs do not indicate how fast the e-file is capable of spinning when filling material.

The most important factor in electronic filing is torque. The rotational power of the spin is called torque. Torque can be described as a twist, just as a linear force can be a push or pull. It is a twisting force that causes the rotation and controls how easy it is. An e-file that lacks torque and rotational power will cause it to slow down and struggle on a surface. You’ll also notice a decrease in pitch. An excellent e-file should be able to maintain its speed and rotational power, regardless of whether it is spinning in the air or filing on gel or acrylic.

You should look for a file with a motor that automatically adjusts to your work. Techs with low-torque files often increase the speed or pressure to compensate for the reduction in filing power. However, this action can cause heat damage, nail plate damage, and other injuries to the client. A high-quality file requires only light touches. The bits and motor do the rest. Don’t be fixated on the RPM number, as it is not a reliable determinant of power. Ask about torque (rotational power) and other factors.

3. Simply say no to vibration

The Beach Boys were wrong. E-filing is not a good idea. E-files that shake so hard they seem to wiggle out of your hands are not the best. A good e-file should not vibrate very much when it’s turned on. The vibration should also not increase in speed.

What is so terrible about vibration? Your client may feel it and it can cause discomfort. If the client uses it improperly or for a long time, it may cause abnormal nail growth. The nail tech will also have to work harder because vibration can make it difficult to be precise. Your e-file could be bouncing around when you’re trying to file in a tight spot. This can cause skin damage or other problems. Vibration can also cause damage to the hands and arms of a nail technician. Extra muscle can cause tendon, joint, and muscle damage by trying to control the nail tech’s grip and maintain control.

Hold the e-file in your hand, turn it on and then turn it up to check if it shakes. An e-file of high quality will not shake or shimmy in the hand, even at maximum speed. It should feel smooth and not bouncy when you are filing on the material.

Another note on bouncy files: If your file doesn’t vibrate or bounce in your hand but vibrates or bounces when you’re filing it, your shaft could be bent due to dropping your handpiece. To check if your bits are spinning straight, or if they are whirling around like a lasso, do an eyeball inspection. A bent bit will have a blurry circle around it while spinning fast. Unwanted vibration can be caused by a bent bit or bent shaft in your handpiece. This issue can be resolved by sending your handpiece in for maintenance. However, it is important to monitor the condition of your electronic file as you work with clients.

4. The handpiece is the heart of all magic.

Many nail technicians believe the power control unit, also known as “the box”, is where the motor is located. They then throw their handpiece around like a bag of potatoes. Your E-file’s most important component is your handpiece. The motor, all expensive parts, and technology are located here. If you have a portable model, the power box (or battery pack) is what you need to control the speed and provide the correct amount of electricity to your handpiece. Protect both the power box and your handpiece with great care.

To avoid dust getting inside your handpiece, keep dust out of the opening. Keep solvents away from your electronic file. Make sure all cords are not damaged, worn out, pulled, or cut. Your handpiece should be oiled at least once a year. This is especially important if you work part-time. Over time, dust, debris, and even broken pieces can build up inside. Your e-file needs tender loving care to keep it running smoothly. While an e-file is the most expensive equipment a nail technician can purchase, it will last you a lifetime if maintained properly.

5. It’s not the tool, it’s the tech.

E-files often get a bad rap. We assume that the evil file is responsible for photos of nail plate burns and rings of fire. An e-file can do no damage if it isn’t used by a nail technician. How can nail technicians learn how to properly use a file? It’s similar to learning how to drive a car. You need to practice, take lessons and be patient. There will be some accidents, especially at the beginning. But the goal is to learn from them and improve.

My number one tip is to not work with clients until you can do it yourself. When you are ready to work with clients, your feet can be a great place. Toes, toenails, and feet are typically less delicate and sensitive than the rest of the body. You won’t feel as anxious because you’re farther away from the client.

Many people believe that hand-filing is safer and more secure than e-filing. However, this is not always true. Hand-filing can cause as much damage as an automated colleague, so you must be able to handle it. It all depends on the skill level of the person filing. Practice is the best form of education.