E-File Do's ✅ & Don'ts❌ What You Need to Know Learning E-File • Bits Explained
0:00
E-files can be the worst thing if you don't know how to use it, but they can be the best thing if you know how to use it.
E-files can be the worst thing if you don't know how to use it, but they can be the best thing if you know how to use it.
0:07
I'm going to show you the do's and don'ts of how to work your e-file. Let's get started.
I'm going to show you the do's and don'ts of how to work your e-file. Let's get started.
0:17
To be totally honest, you don't have to buy an e-file to be a nail technician. You can use hand files your entire career.
To be totally honest, you don't have to buy an e-file to be a nail technician. You can use hand files your entire career.
0:25
So this is if you're interested in an e-file, this will be sort of beginning tips if you're interested in getting an e-file and how to use it.
So this is if you're interested in an e-file, this will be sort of beginning tips if you're interested in getting an e-file and how to use it.
0:31
I'm not going to talk so much about the e-file itself. I'm going to talk more about the do's and don'ts of what you can do when you're first learning.
I'm not going to talk so much about the e-file itself. I'm going to talk more about the do's and don'ts of what you can do when you're first learning.
0:37
And there's a few key points you want to hit to make sure you get on the right foot or the right hand, I guess.
And there's a few key points you want to hit to make sure you get on the right foot or the right hand, I guess.
0:49
OK, so the first thing is finding an e-file that is compatible for you.
OK, so the first thing is finding an e-file that is compatible for you.
0:53
I suggest if you're beginning, you want something with a lightweight handpiece, low or no vibration, and up to 30,000 to 35,000 RPMs.
I suggest if you're beginning, you want something with a lightweight handpiece, low or no vibration, and up to 30,000 to 35,000 RPMs.
1:02
You want to find something that starts off very low speed, because low is going to be your friend, especially when you're learning.
You want to find something that starts off very low speed, because low is going to be your friend, especially when you're learning.
1:10
And honestly, right through your career too, especially on that natural nail. I recommend using 2,000 or 3,000 RPMs on the natural nail.
And honestly, right through your career too, especially on that natural nail. I recommend using 2,000 or 3,000 RPMs on the natural nail.
1:19
Please don't use your e-file at these speeds, especially on the natural nail.
Please don't use your e-file at these speeds, especially on the natural nail.
1:27
Now you're going to make mistakes when you first learn, so I highly recommend work on a fake hand or practice finger.
Now you're going to make mistakes when you first learn, so I highly recommend work on a fake hand or practice finger.
1:33
Avoid cutting skin by practicing lots first. Don't start learning on people.
Avoid cutting skin by practicing lots first. Don't start learning on people.
1:40
Respect your bits. If you don't learn how to use them correctly, you will cut the skin and make it very uncomfortable for your clients or yourself.
Respect your bits. If you don't learn how to use them correctly, you will cut the skin and make it very uncomfortable for your clients or yourself.
1:48
Once you learn how to use the bits correctly, you will create nails with great precision and much, much more efficient.
Once you learn how to use the bits correctly, you will create nails with great precision and much, much more efficient.
2:01
Why do we have to have an anchor point? Because once you have an anchor point, you can do anything. Right now, we're going to get a bit in here.
Why do we have to have an anchor point? Because once you have an anchor point, you can do anything. Right now, we're going to get a bit in here.
2:09
okay again i'm not going to talk about how to put the bits in what kind of bits right now
okay again i'm not going to talk about how to put the bits in what kind of bits right now
2:12
i just want to talk to you about the number two thing anchor
i just want to talk to you about the number two thing anchor
2:15
you want to have an anchor point so why is an anchor so
you want to have an anchor point so why is an anchor so
2:19
important because it's just what it means you're it's an anchor
important because it's just what it means you're it's an anchor
2:22
point a starting off point think about yourself of jumping
point a starting off point think about yourself of jumping
2:25
in midair you really can't right you have to jump off of something and that's what an anchor is so i use my pinky when i'm doing clients i will rest my pinky
in midair you really can't right you have to jump off of something and that's what an anchor is so i use my pinky when i'm doing clients i will rest my pinky
2:37
on my other hand because I grab the client like this let's pretend this
on my other hand because I grab the client like this let's pretend this
2:40
is my client's finger the end of this I
is my client's finger the end of this I
2:44
will grab a client's hand like this over top of
will grab a client's hand like this over top of
2:47
their hand I don't go under I don't have as much control that's an all other
their hand I don't go under I don't have as much control that's an all other
2:50
video I go over top when I do that I can hold on to their finger but my finger here now becomes an anchor point, a jumping off point for my pinky.
video I go over top when I do that I can hold on to their finger but my finger here now becomes an anchor point, a jumping off point for my pinky.
3:00
And the reason why that's important is because when you are filing, you use your pinky, I'm going to exaggerate it,
And the reason why that's important is because when you are filing, you use your pinky, I'm going to exaggerate it,
3:07
I use my pinky as my momentum, my start-off point, my jumping off point.
I use my pinky as my momentum, my start-off point, my jumping off point.
3:14
If I don't have it, I don't have any base point that I can grab onto.
If I don't have it, I don't have any base point that I can grab onto.
3:20
So when this machine is moving, let's move it. When it's moving, you want to be able to push through and bring it back.
So when this machine is moving, let's move it. When it's moving, you want to be able to push through and bring it back.
3:28
Push through, bring it back. And I'm using that pinky muscle to bring it back because I want to go side to side.
Push through, bring it back. And I'm using that pinky muscle to bring it back because I want to go side to side.
3:36
That's the most efficient way to file going side to side.
That's the most efficient way to file going side to side.
3:40
If you don't have your anchor point, you can literally remove the anchor point and you can do this.
If you don't have your anchor point, you can literally remove the anchor point and you can do this.
3:47
But if the drill bit pushes you, you don't have an anchor point to come back.
But if the drill bit pushes you, you don't have an anchor point to come back.
3:53
It'll just take you with the movement of the drill. The E-file will make you just spin all the way around.
It'll just take you with the movement of the drill. The E-file will make you just spin all the way around.
3:59
It can even happen sometimes if you have an anchor point, but you've got to exercise that muscle.
It can even happen sometimes if you have an anchor point, but you've got to exercise that muscle.
4:04
OK, OK, I'm going to show you the importance of side to side.
OK, OK, I'm going to show you the importance of side to side.
4:09
that is the motion that we use on our nail I
that is the motion that we use on our nail I
4:14
do feel going side to side is going to
do feel going side to side is going to
4:17
make you much quicker it's going to speed up your time if you're just
make you much quicker it's going to speed up your time if you're just
4:20
going one way you can do that you can just go one way but if you're anchoring
going one way you can do that you can just go one way but if you're anchoring
4:24
properly you have all the control to go side to side and I highly recommend that for speed so going side to side you can see when I'm going back
properly you have all the control to go side to side and I highly recommend that for speed so going side to side you can see when I'm going back
4:32
and forth and I'm using my pinky to anchor
and forth and I'm using my pinky to anchor
4:36
that's what you want to do you
that's what you want to do you
4:39
can even use this finger if you're more comfortable with this finger you can do this
can even use this finger if you're more comfortable with this finger you can do this
4:42
one too for me it's just my pinky is more comfortable
one too for me it's just my pinky is more comfortable
4:45
if you don't you don't have
if you don't you don't have
4:48
as much control I'm not faking that either I'm just showing you that you
as much control I'm not faking that either I'm just showing you that you
4:52
just don't see how I went on round and around if I had my pinky right there see how it's I've got great control I can go over top of the whole nail and I can actually go quite quickly.
just don't see how I went on round and around if I had my pinky right there see how it's I've got great control I can go over top of the whole nail and I can actually go quite quickly.
5:04
I'll tell you when you're first learning it feels very awkward but get used to that anchor point and it is your best friend.
I'll tell you when you're first learning it feels very awkward but get used to that anchor point and it is your best friend.
5:12
It'll make your filing so much stronger, so much more confident.
It'll make your filing so much stronger, so much more confident.
5:16
Okay so another point is really important to remember is burning.
Okay so another point is really important to remember is burning.
5:23
I'm sure if you've had your nails done and you have been burned you know what that feels
I'm sure if you've had your nails done and you have been burned you know what that feels
5:31
like it's a searing burning quick little pain and
like it's a searing burning quick little pain and
5:34
it does hurt so how that's happening is
it does hurt so how that's happening is
5:37
it's friction so when you are filing and
it's friction so when you are filing and
5:42
you were filing in one spot and
you were filing in one spot and
5:45
when you leave it in the one spot for too long it can cause enough friction
when you leave it in the one spot for too long it can cause enough friction
5:49
that it builds enough heat that it burns and
that it builds enough heat that it burns and
5:53
it hurts it's not come if you ever been burnt by the e-file
it hurts it's not come if you ever been burnt by the e-file
5:56
you'll know what i'm talking about it's not comfortable and it scares you
you'll know what i'm talking about it's not comfortable and it scares you
5:59
of it makes you not want to do it again the reason why that's happening actually it
of it makes you not want to do it again the reason why that's happening actually it
6:02
can happen with any bit that you use it can happen with a hand file but it's more common with this if you don't know how to use this so what's happening is even if this is a fine sanding band
can happen with any bit that you use it can happen with a hand file but it's more common with this if you don't know how to use this so what's happening is even if this is a fine sanding band
6:14
or if you use a really teethy bit like this
or if you use a really teethy bit like this
6:17
one it's just that you'll do more damage
one it's just that you'll do more damage
6:20
with teeth in it than you will a sanding band but
with teeth in it than you will a sanding band but
6:24
let's just take a gentle band and if it's dull it can burn a
let's just take a gentle band and if it's dull it can burn a
6:27
lot that's how you know your bits are maybe dying is because it's kind of burning
lot that's how you know your bits are maybe dying is because it's kind of burning
6:30
so you're going back and forth
so you're going back and forth
6:33
and you see a little spot oh it's a little bit
and you see a little spot oh it's a little bit
6:36
thick oh i don't like that so you just kind of go in that one spot oh it's starting to burn that can happen with any bit and it's just remaining in that one spot for too long.
thick oh i don't like that so you just kind of go in that one spot oh it's starting to burn that can happen with any bit and it's just remaining in that one spot for too long.
6:46
Now, why did it happen to one client and not the other?
Now, why did it happen to one client and not the other?
6:50
Let's say the client before, you were filing in the spot just like that very same thing and you were just filing away. They didn't say anything.
Let's say the client before, you were filing in the spot just like that very same thing and you were just filing away. They didn't say anything.
6:56
And this next client, you're pretty much in the same spot-ish and you're filing less and they got hurt, but the other client didn't notice it.
And this next client, you're pretty much in the same spot-ish and you're filing less and they got hurt, but the other client didn't notice it.
7:04
Or let's say you're filing on one of your fingers and you notice it more and not on another.
Or let's say you're filing on one of your fingers and you notice it more and not on another.
7:08
Because you can be different sensitivity on every single finger and every person has different sensitivity.
Because you can be different sensitivity on every single finger and every person has different sensitivity.
7:13
So some clients will feel it and some clients won't. So when you're going around and around,
So some clients will feel it and some clients won't. So when you're going around and around,
7:19
just make sure you're doing even back and forth. That's why I like this motion a lot.
just make sure you're doing even back and forth. That's why I like this motion a lot.
7:24
Even if you find a thicker spot in one area, you can go back and forth, back and forth, but you're constantly moving.
Even if you find a thicker spot in one area, you can go back and forth, back and forth, but you're constantly moving.
7:30
So don't hold it in one spot like this. You will build up heat very, very quick and you will burn.
So don't hold it in one spot like this. You will build up heat very, very quick and you will burn.
7:38
also to consider there is the thickness of the product
also to consider there is the thickness of the product
7:41
the closer you are to that natural nail and
the closer you are to that natural nail and
7:44
the rotations that you're using the more
the rotations that you're using the more
7:48
heat you can generate and the more you'll feel it because the product is
heat you can generate and the more you'll feel it because the product is
7:51
thinner that's where it comes in handy too when you're talking about the speed of your e-file when you are working on natural nails i really recommend anywhere between
thinner that's where it comes in handy too when you're talking about the speed of your e-file when you are working on natural nails i really recommend anywhere between
8:01
one to two to three up to no more than a four or five and then when you're sculpting and taking off product or removing.
one to two to three up to no more than a four or five and then when you're sculpting and taking off product or removing.
8:08
You can go from five to maybe 11, 10, somewhere in there if you're comfortable.
You can go from five to maybe 11, 10, somewhere in there if you're comfortable.
8:12
Okay, so now let's discuss bits. That's really important.
Okay, so now let's discuss bits. That's really important.
8:17
If you don't know, I've been doing nails for 35 years.
If you don't know, I've been doing nails for 35 years.
8:25
I started in the mid 80s. Yes, I was 10. Okay, so we only had literally a couple of bits.
I started in the mid 80s. Yes, I was 10. Okay, so we only had literally a couple of bits.
8:32
And we made it work with those couple of bits.
And we made it work with those couple of bits.
8:35
Over the years, tons of bits and introduced and
Over the years, tons of bits and introduced and
8:39
I love them they're fantastic but
I love them they're fantastic but
8:42
when you're learning you want to begin with these three essential bits and that's what I have here and I want to show you this basically I refer to it as my number one bit which is a mandrel.
when you're learning you want to begin with these three essential bits and that's what I have here and I want to show you this basically I refer to it as my number one bit which is a mandrel.
8:53
Now with a mandrel you put on your sanding bands. You just friction fit them on top and you can buy different grits.
Now with a mandrel you put on your sanding bands. You just friction fit them on top and you can buy different grits.
8:59
Here's my purple band which is medium or fine and green is coarse and I'm just trying to color coordinate and make it really easy.
Here's my purple band which is medium or fine and green is coarse and I'm just trying to color coordinate and make it really easy.
9:06
I recommend my purple bands for natural nails.
I recommend my purple bands for natural nails.
9:09
Green is a coarse band for sculpting not to be used on natural nails.
Green is a coarse band for sculpting not to be used on natural nails.
9:16
So if you're buying another brand, just make sure you're using fine and medium on natural nails.
So if you're buying another brand, just make sure you're using fine and medium on natural nails.
9:22
The don'ts are, don't use a coarse bit on natural nails. And a coarse bit is meant for sculpting.
The don'ts are, don't use a coarse bit on natural nails. And a coarse bit is meant for sculpting.
9:29
So if you're not comfortable with these kinds of bits to sculpt with, you can sculpt with this.
So if you're not comfortable with these kinds of bits to sculpt with, you can sculpt with this.
9:34
Honestly, you guys, you can sculpt with the finer ones too. It'll just take forever because it's not a strong enough grit to remove product.
Honestly, you guys, you can sculpt with the finer ones too. It'll just take forever because it's not a strong enough grit to remove product.
9:43
So I don't recommend it because you will. That's just going to add so much time you don't need to do.
So I don't recommend it because you will. That's just going to add so much time you don't need to do.
9:47
But the coarse, you can sculpt and remove product with quite well, actually. So if you're comfortable with that one. So that's the don'ts.
But the coarse, you can sculpt and remove product with quite well, actually. So if you're comfortable with that one. So that's the don'ts.
9:54
Don't use this coarse bit on the natural nail. OK, so these two here are made of a tungsten steel.
Don't use this coarse bit on the natural nail. OK, so these two here are made of a tungsten steel.
10:00
They have pretty good teeth on them. That's why they're good for taking away product.
They have pretty good teeth on them. That's why they're good for taking away product.
10:04
The don'ts are you don't want to use either of these on natural nail. I don't advise using any bit like that.
The don'ts are you don't want to use either of these on natural nail. I don't advise using any bit like that.
10:11
carbide, ceramic, anything with teeth like that on the natural nail. Never, don't ever do it.
carbide, ceramic, anything with teeth like that on the natural nail. Never, don't ever do it.
10:17
I highly advise against it. Please don't do it. Okay, so these ones are just for taking away product on enhancement.
I highly advise against it. Please don't do it. Okay, so these ones are just for taking away product on enhancement.
10:25
So that's your gels, your hard gels, removing soft gels, acrylic, fiberglass, hybrid gels, tips, jelly tips, anything like that.
So that's your gels, your hard gels, removing soft gels, acrylic, fiberglass, hybrid gels, tips, jelly tips, anything like that.
10:33
These are fantastic for taking those off. I also recommend looking for a smooth top. This is called a safety bit.
These are fantastic for taking those off. I also recommend looking for a smooth top. This is called a safety bit.
10:40
It will eliminate cutting the cuticles. Okay, so to recap, use a low speed, especially on natural nails.
It will eliminate cutting the cuticles. Okay, so to recap, use a low speed, especially on natural nails.
10:49
When you're learning, use a practice hand or practice finger. It'll be a great advantage. Use an anchor point to balance yourself.
When you're learning, use a practice hand or practice finger. It'll be a great advantage. Use an anchor point to balance yourself.
10:57
Crucially important. Do move your file back and forth, side to side. It'll speed up your time.
Crucially important. Do move your file back and forth, side to side. It'll speed up your time.
11:04
Use fine or medium sanding grits on natural nails. We want to take care of that natural nail.
Use fine or medium sanding grits on natural nails. We want to take care of that natural nail.
11:10
Use toothy bits only on nail enhancements, never ever on those natural nails.
Use toothy bits only on nail enhancements, never ever on those natural nails.
11:17
Remember, respect your e-file and you'll have a great relationship.
Remember, respect your e-file and you'll have a great relationship.
11:20
In fact, I wrote this and some very important points on the back of my new EasyFile.
In fact, I wrote this and some very important points on the back of my new EasyFile.
11:26
And did you know you can use your e-file for nail art? I know it sounds weird, but you really can. I love chromes when I play with nail art.
And did you know you can use your e-file for nail art? I know it sounds weird, but you really can. I love chromes when I play with nail art.
11:33
I did a video a couple years ago. Check out this technique. Thank you.
I did a video a couple years ago. Check out this technique. Thank you.