Filing by hand vs. electric

[naildaze]

who here files their nail enhancements by hand and who does this with an electric file/drill?
how long does a full new set with tips take you using that method vs. the other?

 

[Abigail's]

I use a e file and usually takes hour and a half. hth

 

[naildaze]

I file by hand and have never used a drill but I am very interested and thinking about getting one.
It is about 60 to 90 minutes for me to put on a new set of gels with tips by hand.

Around here there are next to no nail shops, nail bars, etc... it is all spas with aestheticians and few nail tech.'s or hair salons with a few nail tech's and only a few of these places use electric files.

The ones that don't use them (including a place I worked) gives reasons for why they don't use the electric ones... like.. they damage your nails, we are doing it naturally to better the clients, the electric files hurt and make red rings in your nails, etc... when infact I know if used properly and if the tech. had training with one, no damage should be done either way. Right?

 

[naildaze]

I use a e file and usually takes hour and a half. hth

what kind do you use?

 

[remember_nomore]

You're right about using it correctly. Anyone can pick up a drill but you have to know how to use it and not hurt your client. Or yourself. *has school flashbacks* Yes, we all need to learn somehow.

I use a drill myself and it takes me about an hour and 15-30 min to put on a set [not including art]. I've been interested in doing sets by hand but with my arthritus and carple it is very hard to file by hand without fatague.

 

[Abigail's]

I use a kupa mani pro. i've a e file for nearly 3 years and had no problems at all, never damaged and one's nails, i've seen some peoples who have been damaged by other techs, and that was due to them not knowing how to use them. I don't file it all off with the file only get rid of the bulk then go to hand file.

 

[Carmen]

I'm actually just as fast without my e-file but I do use one as it's a little easier to shorten the nail and take the bulk out of the f/e when doing a fill.

I get a kick out of people that say they're dangerous. Yes, of course they can be and I've seen alot of damaged nails (not by me!) BUT a hand file can be just as dangerous if it's not used properly.

I have a Kupa Mani Pro Max.

 

[naildaze]

thanks for the responses
I am really interested and searching different brands right now, I would love to try one out on myself and family before I consider it on clients but there are soooo many brands I don't know reasons for choosing which ones. Do they ALL come with all the necessary bits or do you sometimes have to purchase additional ones for fills or filing, etc... Sorry I am new to this if I sound uneducated with them lol
Also all the costs are different, so do you get what you pay for basically? or do they each have different features?
I am not so much even wanting to try just to cut back on time but to allow me to do them longer. I get a bad shoulder and carpel tunnel issues after doing a lot of them by hand. I don't want to have to retire young
Do you all use a fan/air purifier around yours? I am mobile so wonder how dusty it really gets using one, especially in others homes... I wonder if this would bother them. Sorry so many questions. I am researching what I can and reading other posts.

 

[Carmen]

I definitely think you get what you pay for. If you're new, I wouldn't invest in a $1000 dollar machine just yet. I used a Mani Pro for 3 years and it worked fine. I dropped it though a few times and my handpiece broke. So, I upgraded to a Mani Pro Max and I love it! The handpiece is smaller and lighter and it runs really smooth.

They usually come with an mandrel and some sanding bands. I purchased separately a diamond undernail bit. You can also purchase buffers for manis and pedis and bits to help smooth callous.

 

[deanosnana]

Yes, of course they can be and I've seen alot of damaged nails (not by me!) BUT a hand file can be just as dangerous if it's not used properly.

I could not agree more!

 

[leah82]

I use both but have got into the habit now of rebalancing & infilling with my e-file as find it quicker & easier, with just as fab results! Think scary as it is I would be lost with out it now!!