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 Post subject: Grobet Nut Files (Pics)
PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:05 pm 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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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

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:17 pm 
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Koa
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What gauges would you view as a minimal set for a newbie?

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:20 pm 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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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.


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:34 pm 
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Koa
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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

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:47 pm 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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laughing6-hehe 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.


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:54 pm 
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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


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:15 pm 
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Cocobolo
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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.

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PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:22 pm 
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Cocobolo
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How do these files compare to the ones from Stew-mac?


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:51 pm 
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Koa
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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.

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PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:59 am 
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Koa
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Hesh wrote:
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.


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

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PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:01 am 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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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? :D laughing6-hehe [xx(]

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


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PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:36 pm 
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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.

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