This looks handy (saw files from LV)

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

Saw this on the "whats new" page at LV - looks handy; I've made most of my own tool rolls, but never got around to making one for the saw files. Nice to have 'em all in one place, and I've had good luck with the swiss Grobet files.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=69854&cat=51&ap=1

[Chris Griggs]

Sweet! I'm really glad to see they are carrying some files that are higher quality than the Nicholsons. I would really like to get that roll/set, but I hope they will sell the Grobets al la cart as well. I just used a Grobet for the first time a couple weeks ago, I could not believe how much easier/better it was to use then the BORG Nicholson's i had used previously. It was noticeably easier to get consistent results.

[Rob Lee]

Sweet! I'm really glad to see they are carrying some files that are higher quality than the Nicholsons. I would really like to get that roll/set, but I hope they will sell the Grobets al la cart as well. I just used a Grobet for the first time a few weeks ago, I could not believe how much easier/better it was to use then the BORG Nicholson's i had used previously. It was noticeably easier to get consistent results.

Hi -

Yes, we'll eventually have the singles up too... it was hard to get enough files out of Grobet to do the sets....! I think we hoovered up most of their stock.... :)

Cheers -

Rob
(who knows "hoovered" isn't a verb...but likes it anyway)

[Chris Griggs]

Dang Rob, that was fast! Thanks, for letting us know.

I got them from TFWW most recently but its nice to have a couple places to get things like this since they are usually the kind of thing I like to throw in the cart when I'm ordering something else.

Also, I just noticed that TFWW is now selling Grobets by the dozen (maybe that's old news but I never noticed it until now).

Looks like your not the only one guilty of hoovering Rob!

[Rob Lee]

Dang Rob, that was fast! Thanks, for letting us know.

I got them from TFWW most recently but its nice to have a couple places to get things like this since they are usually the kind of thing I like to throw in the cart when I'm ordering something else.

Also, I just noticed that TFWW is now selling Grobets by the dozen (maybe that's old news but I never noticed it until now).

Looks like your not the only one guilty of hoovering Rob!

Hi Chris,

The singles should actually follow soonish... we do have 'em, just didn't want to list them first, and then have the sets come out as a promo afterwards....

Dozens, eh?

Maybe we'll price by the gross.... ;)

Cheers -

Rob

[Jack Curtis]

Rob, maybe you could do discounts for multiple sets. Never can tell where you'll need to sharpen saws. :) Just kidding, great deal, as usual.

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

Rob, it's nice to see you carrying the Grobet files. I can see why you mention the brand name specifically here, for folks that have been burned by bad files before, it's nice to know what you're getting. Any insight as to why some of the products LV carries don't mention the manufacturer?

[Rob Lee]

Rob, it's nice to see you carrying the Grobet files. I can see why you mention the brand name specifically here, for folks that have been burned by bad files before, it's nice to know what you're getting. Any insight as to why some of the products LV carries don't mention the manufacturer?

Hi -

We mention it when it's a known brand, and is relevant to your purchasing decision. It also help for searching the website.

Other suppliers may be confidential - we spend literally thousands of hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars sourcing each year.... we don't want to just give that information away.

I'd like to think that our service/support exceeds what you'll get from most manufacturers anyway....

Cheers -

Rob

[Chris Griggs]

Ordered! Came to $47.45 USD shipped. So that's about $6.75 per file shipped which is about what it would cost elsewhere sans tool roll (which I'm counting as "free").

Good deal. Thanks Rob!

And thank you Joshua for pointing this out!

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

Fair enough, Rob. Just curious, really. Certainly never expected every widget and flashlight to have a manufacturer listed. Your "relevant to your purchasing decision" part is right on the money - I just know there's been at least once where I felt like knowing the manufacturer would have influenced my decision, but it wasn't listed. (A case of "brand x" being recommended to me as the one to get, and then not finding out until after the fact that "brand x" was actually the brand you guys sold.)

Certainly hope my post didn't sound antagonistic. And of course, given the support I've gotten from you guys over the years, I have no fear of ordering from you folks, you've always done me right.

[Rob Lee]

(snip)Certainly hope my post didn't sound antagonistic. (snip)

Hi Joshua -

Nope - not at all - it was a good question!

Cheers -

Rob

[Mike Cogswell]

Very timely - just getting ready to file my first saw! Placed my order today.

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

Bit the bullet and ordered a set - needed a couple of other bits for the tool cabinet. Be nice to have a decent selection of Grobets kicking around. I remember when I first used a Grobet after having used a cheap import Nicholson on rip saw I was sharpening, and finding that no, you don't need to use up all three sides of a file sharpening one saw.

[Chris Griggs]

Bit the bullet and ordered a set - needed a couple of other bits for the tool cabinet. Be nice to have a decent selection of Grobets kicking around. I remember when I first used a Grobet after having used a cheap import Nicholson on rip saw I was sharpening, and finding that no, you don't need to use up all three sides of a file sharpening one saw.

Good for you Joshua! Did you throw in the needle file and the bastard file too? I was feeling parsimonious so I didn't, guess I'll just throw them in next time I place an order.

A few months ago I did a touch up on my LN carcass saw with a Nicholson. The 1095 steel damaged the edges almost immediately - I was still able to finish the saw, but there was visible wear on the file corners after just a few strokes and all 3 sides were shot by the time I finished. I have not had as big of a problem with the Nicholson on the older saws, but after using a Grobet for the first time on my recent saw build I just can't get over how much better they are. True, it was a new plate so there wasn't a lot of heavy filing to do, but the edge I filed with didn't feel like it has dulled at all which was pretty impressive (and actually I wasn't happy with my initial results so I filed it a second time). I like the idea that I'll get a number uses out the Grobets - I hate using something once and just throwing it away, plus these will be MUCH more cost effective in the long run. Despite all the stuff I had read about these (and Simmonds) files being better, not to mention George's tests showing that Nicholsons are soft, I guess I never really believed how different two files could be until I experienced myself.

I was talking to Dave (Weaver) a few days ago about this and he told me about set of needle files he has from about 1900 that he got from George - said the edges were better then even the best files today. Clearly they weren't made to be used just once and thrown away.

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

I passed on those two for now - I'm pretty sure I have the needle file from TFWW, (although I should have checked, but I've got enough needle files of some sort of another kicking around I think I'll be okay if the 4XX doesn't work on my dovetail saw) and I've got a handful of older US Nicholson flat files kicking around for jointing.

I've got to make some time to sharpen soon, I guess. My rip saw is feeling a little sluggish, I've got two panel saws I never rehabbed, and at least one saw I want to sharpen to sell.

[Gary Muto]

I bit the bullet too. Got the set and the 2 others. It will be time saved to have it all in one place. I also don't have time to hunt down good used or NOS files.

[Chris Griggs]

Got my files/file roll today. Man one of the the best parts about having moved from NOLA to Philly is that it takes half as long to get my orders from LV. I'm used to waiting 5-7 business days and now its 2-3, very nice.

Anyway, I really like the role. It's nice thick canvass and fits the files well. Definitely, preferable to having them just sitting in a plastic tool box tray or wrapped in a piece of old t-shirt. I like that it has some extra pockets and even wish it had a few more - though I'll say the extras it has are for the files I use the most. I didn't realize it when I ordered it but the pockets are actually labeled (screen print) for there file size...for some reason when I looked at the picture I thought the labels were just part of the add.

Anyway, I'm quite happy I ordered this - I had a moment of buyers remorse when I first ordered it just because I don't typically like ordering sets of things like this (as I end up with sizes I may not use), but now that I've got it I'm quite glad I did. Really, even the sizes I rarely use will likely have a need for at some point so it'll be good to already have one when I need it.

Just one of those little things that will be handy to have around.

[Rob Lee]

Hi Chris -

Glad you like it. Had the pockets labelled for those of us who have a hard time reading the fine print on files...

Bought a set myself!

Cheers -

Rob
(whose PC "blew up" today, and is waiting for a rebuild... )

[Chris Griggs]

Hi Chris -

Glad you like it. Had the pockets labelled for those of us who have a hard time reading the fine print on files...

Bought a set myself!

Cheers -

Rob
(whose PC "blew up" today, and is waiting for a rebuild... )

Well I hope you like yours as much as I like mine. The labels are definitely a nice touch. These files beg the question though... Is LV ramping up to release some new items to use them on?

[Ryan Baker]

Mine are on the way too. I had to get my order in before all you guys scooped up all the inventory. :) Of course, I had to add in a couple planes and a bunch of other stuff for good measure while I was at it. I wonder if Rob has a paycheck direct deposit program...

[Rob Lee]

Well I hope you like yours as much as I like mine. The labels are definitely a nice touch. These files beg the question though... Is LV ramping up to release some new items to use them on?

Hi again Chris!

More like ramping up to release something to use them with...
Our saw filing guide ran a bit later than planned, and we had to let the files out solo....

Cheers,

Rob

[Rob Lee]

Mine are on the way too. I had to get my order in before all you guys scooped up all the inventory. :) Of course, I had to add in a couple planes and a bunch of other stuff for good measure while I was at it. I wonder if Rob has a paycheck direct deposit program...

Thanks Ryan!

We'll take a look at that direct deposit suggestion..... ;)

Cheers,

Rob

[Adam Lewis]

now rob, when are you going to make a tool roll like that for all the plow plane blades and t&g blades?
i though i remember you saying something about it once before. sorry for the hijack

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

Waiting for the UPS man to show up today . . .

Adam - have a go at making your own! I've made quite a few out of canvas duck cloth or leather, and it's a fairly easy proposition, particularly for something like plow plane blades, where you don't need to account for handles. (Adding handles to the mix ends up making things a little more difficult, as to roll it up, you usually end up needing to make it extra large, or allow the handles to go in from each side, and you need adequate flaps to cover things after it's rolled up.

[Rob Lee]

now rob, when are you going to make a tool roll like that for all the plow plane blades and t&g blades?
i though i remember you saying something about it once before. sorry for the hijack

Hi Adam,

Approved the sample at the R&D meeting yesterday, and gave a wooden box the go ahead too...

Rolls will be in first...

Cheers,

Rob

[Andrae Covington]

Got my files/file roll today. ... I really like the roll. It's nice thick canvas and fits the files well...

Thanks for the report. I just placed my order today.


...I didn't realize it when I ordered it but the pockets are actually labeled (screen print) for their file size...for some reason when I looked at the picture I thought the labels were just part of the ad...

I was wondering about that too. I finally clicked the little link that pops up a second photo, and saw the text was there too.


...Man one of the the best parts about having moved from NOLA to Philly is that it takes half as long to get my orders from LV. I'm used to waiting 5-7 business days and now its 2-3, very nice...

That must be nice.:) It would be much faster for me to drive up to the store in Vancouver, BC than wait for the orders to ship via upstate NY... but 600 miles round-trip would cost a lot of gasoline.:( I'd have to buy everything in the store.:D

[Zach Dillinger]

Mine are on the way too. I had to get my order in before all you guys scooped up all the inventory. :) Of course, I had to add in a couple planes and a bunch of other stuff for good measure while I was at it. I wonder if Rob has a paycheck direct deposit program...

If they can work it out as a pre-tax deduction, I'll all for it... :) Veritas sounds enough like an investment product name that we might be able to get it as part of a 401K program...

[john davey]

The way Veritas tools hold their value they darned near are an investment. Now quick everyone go try to tell their wives that :)...

[Pedder Petersen]

Hi Chris,

The singles should actually follow soonish... we do have 'em, just didn't want to list them first, and then have the sets come out as a promo afterwards....

Dozens, eh?

Maybe we'll price by the gross.... ;)

Cheers -

Rob

Hi Rob, shoot me a mail then. :)
I buy boxes of ten of the small files, because I live in a metric country...

Grobet (sold under the label of F. Dick in Germany) is a good choice! And to add a needelfile is another good choice.

Esp. for the 20 tpi saws.

Cheers Pedder

[Mike Cogswell]

Mine came today! Very nice set, the printed description on each pocket is a great idea. Maybe it's just me - but I sure don't see the difference between the 6" Slim and X-Slims. Grobet apparently doesn't mark them either.

Cheers,

Mike

[Mike Cogswell]

You can use the legs off an old pair of jeans. The material makes great tool rolls. Thanks to Mary May the woodcarver for that idea!

Mike

[Larry LaRoque]

Ordered mine plus the 8" bastard file. I need to stop reading about these "bargans" according to SWHMBO.

[Ryan Baker]

If they can work it out as a pre-tax deduction, I'll all for it... :) Veritas sounds enough like an investment product name that we might be able to get it as part of a 401K program...

Now THAT sounds like a good idea! The Lee Valley fund. Company matching? Need to send a note to HR about that one.

[Chris Griggs]

Hi again Chris!

More like ramping up to release something to use them with...
Our saw filing guide ran a bit later than planned, and we had to let the files out solo....

Cheers,

Rob

Interesting. Its funny, even though a saw filing guide isn't something I'm personally interested in purchasing, I must admit I'm very curious to see what you guys come up with. I guess I just enjoy seeing new things and your guys's new takes on things. It will be really interesting to see if it changes how many people file their own saws and how people view filing saws in general. I bet most hobbyist woodworkers use honing guides, but its rare you see someone recommending saw filing guides - i'll even go as far to say that its kind of taboo. Maybe that's just because there aren't any good ones out there (maybe there are, I'm just not familiar with them).

Anyway, it will indeed be very interesting to see how the market responds - if its done well it could really shake some things up. I hope its modeled after this ;)

243614

[Chris Griggs]

Thanks for the report. I just placed my order today.

Always happy to be an enabler!




That must be nice.:) It would be much faster for me to drive up to the store in Vancouver, BC than wait for the orders to ship via upstate NY... but 600 miles round-trip would cost a lot of gasoline.:( I'd have to buy everything in the store.:D

It really is nice. Once I order something I always want to be able to use it by the very next weekend (which when I get my shop time). Now even if I order something on a Wednesday it's more than likely that I'll have it to play with by the next time I'm in the shop. Now if I can just find a way get the wife to move to Ottawa with me I could just go straight to the factory when I want something new... maybe I could even get a job as Rob's personal assistant :D

[Andrae Covington]

243614

lol, I need one of those when I put off sharpening too long.


...I bet most hobbyist woodworkers use honing guides, but its rare you see someone recommending saw filing guides - i'll even go as far to say that its kind of taboo. Maybe that's just because there aren't any good ones out there (maybe there are, I'm just not familiar with them)....

Yeah I always feel like I'm getting dirty looks across the internet whenever I mention my 1950's saw filing guide. The way I see it, I only have a few handsaws (must... resist... buying... more...), and I've only sharpened each of them once, on average, so far. I just don't do it enough to feel comfortable freehanding the compound angles. So I'm glad to have the guide for those rare occasions. Even so, it could work a lot better... it helps with consistency, but is not idiot-proof. I think it's great that people can file their saws without a guide, and maybe some think using one is "cheating", but sawfiling is not my hobby; I just want to set it and forget it.

243616

[Chris Griggs]

lol, I need one of those when I put off sharpening too long.



Yeah I always feel like I'm getting dirty looks across the internet whenever I mention my 1950's saw filing guide. The way I see it, I only have a few handsaws (must... resist... buying... more...), and I've only sharpened each of them once, on average, so far. I just don't do it enough to feel comfortable freehanding the compound angles. So I'm glad to have the guide for those rare occasions. Even so, it could work a lot better... it helps with consistency, but is not idiot-proof. I think it's great that people can file their saws without a guide, and maybe some think using one is "cheating", but sawfiling is not my hobby; I just want to set it and forget it.


Can't argue with that Andrae. That's definitely one of the biggest challenges of filing your own saws and its likely why professionals always have a backlog. I'll file a few saws, and then not do it for a few months, and I always feel like I need to relearn somewhat. I'll keep doing it freehand because I enjoy developing the skill, but if that's not of interest to you, than heck, by all means use a guide. Nothing wrong with that.

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

The only issue I have with the guides I've seen (and I haven't seen or held a lot) is that they either use non-standard files (like the one LV used to carry (http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32955&cat=1,43072,43086&ap=1) or they don't let you use the full length of the file. I payed for the full file, I'd like to use as much of the full length as I can. I don't know if they're all like this, but those are the two things I don't like about the ones I've seen.