Official Luthiers Forum!

After finding out about Grobet nut files from a thread here a couple of weeks ago and learning from Stephen Wheeler where I can get some I ordered some.

Today my files arrived and one was on back-ordered with a promise to have it to me in 7 days or so. I tried these out on some scrap nut materials and I have to say that these files are the best that I have ever used and will immediately replace what I have been using.

They are beautifully made and cut very uniformly and cleanly as well as they also cut better than any other file that I have used to date.

I bought these from Pilgrim's Projects, Sarah and John Raterink who are also surprisingly to me in Michigan. As Stephen indicated they are a real pleasure to deal with and the prices were the best that I had seen. Here is a link: http://www.pilgrimsprojects.biz

What gauges would you view as a minimal set for a newbie?

_________________
Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

John it completely depends on what gage strings you want to use - these come in many sizes. I am waiting on a .016 and I use light gage strings.

Right I'll open a can of worms here saying that on my old EKO and my lovely turner jumbo I play 14's-58 which I've been told really they are too heavy and may hamper my playing, but I've been using them for 4+ years now and are used to them, but I intend to setup and string guitars I build with 12-52's as it's a more acceptable gauge if you want others to try it.

I guess what I'm asking if I got say 12, 16, 24, 32, 42, 54, files could I use them to setup a 14-58 by rolling them and by the same token if I wanted to setup a 10-48 would the extra thou or two make a difference?

And hesh you worse than me I seem to be living here at the moment, and as soon as I post you reply thanks buddy.

John

_________________
Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

John my friend we all have to live someplace and as I am sure you have noticed there are some mighty fine folks in this very fine community.

OK Todd Rose suggested to me that I can use files that are up to about .004 larger than the gage string that I want to use and in fact this will help prevent binding. In the past I just used the exact same size as the strings and then flossed the slot with a piece of the respective string. So yes there is some latitude in one file working for a few different gages.

As for rolling the cutting surface is only on the edges as per the picture so rolling won't do much IMHO but it might - I don't know for sure.

Good find Hesh. Just wondering what kind of files you are replacing and why you find these so much better. I'm just asking because I'm in the market for a set myself.

Thanks,
Danny

In his nut-making video Dan Erlewine recommends using under-size files and rolling a bit. I believe he suggests starting with 3 sizes is adequate.

_________________
Gabriel Regalbuto
Carlsbad, California
Freedom 35!

How do these files compare to the ones from Stew-mac?

I've not used the Grobet nut files, but I do have a set of Grobet machinist/pattern maker files and the quality is just superb. This is a really nice find.

_________________
Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC

Well if you want to flog your old ones I know a newbie who'd buy 'em off ya

_________________
Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

Well other than being very well made they also seem, to me, to cut better which is a plus. Mind you my Stew-Mac files may be a bit worn too so this is not a fair test by any means. Also the Stew-Mac files are IMHO a very good value for the money that they charge not unlike all good things from Stew-Mac.

How was that for being politically correct?

Sorry guys but I am keeping the Stew-Mac files because some of them are different sizes and they are still very good tools.

Speaking of Grobet files, one of my very favorite tools is a Grobet "detail file". I use it a lot for shaping bridges and the detail areas of necks (volute area, slots in slotted heads, and heel). It is such a pleasure to use. Check it out:

http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/inde ... ST-GROBDET

I am passionately in love with this file.

_________________
Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/