LMI - Gramil for Purfling and Binding Ledges

The Schneider gramil is made to be used for scoring the binding/purfling ledge. The anodized body of the tool bears against all surfaces - top, side, and back - for scoring the binding/purfling ledge. We watched Richard Schneider, the designer of this tool, using a comfortable pulling action to make his gramil cuts in a top and chisel out the binding ledge in just a few minutes. The gramil can also be used to make the preliminary cuts before routing.

[@erlingwesth7055]

I just returned from a 3 week stay with a luthier in Cologne, Germany where I built a classic guitar. Everything was done by hand, just like Robert O'Brien shows in the video - and the bindings and purflings turned out beautifully! It took time, yes, but it was very good chisel practice!

[@luthiersmercantileinternat5786]

+Erling Westh Not necessarily great for production but it's a relatively inexpensive way to go if one doesn't own a laminate trimmer, etc. Sounds like a fun excursion!

[@restoreguitars]

Why don't the company who makes the gramil hone the blade properly in the first place?

[@johannesgutenberg5993]

That convex side looks much too flat to fit the upper C bout corners of a violin.

[@luthiersmercantileinternat5786]

I suspect you are correct Johannes. The blade is approximately 1/4" wide with a small radius. Without a violin at hand it is hard to say.

[@Turboy65]

Why are you using a waterstone with no water?

[@luthiersmercantileinternat5786]

The stone is wet, but not soaking. We want you to see what Robbie's doing. You can tell it's a little wet if you look closely, and by the slurry on his hands.

[@catrionanicthamhais]

Hi there Thanks so much for the great video. One question. With the 20 degree bevel scraping technique that you are using on the hard side in this video would you also use the same technique if the side wood was softer wood such as cypress or in my case Red Mountain Cedar? Or would you choose the chisel side of the blade as it comes and go ahead as you would the top? Thanks Cath

[@OBrienGuitars]

Cath, Glad you enjoyed the video. I would still use the scraping method in this case. It seems to works best on sides for getting a nice straight line. Happy Building!

[@catrionanicthamhais]

Thanks for the advice and quick response, Robert! And it's not just THIS video of course. Every video I've watched of yours has been really great and super helpful. cheers and happy new year!

[@meowmixmeowmix]

Does this work on radiused tops or is this for only flat tops.

[@meowmixmeowmix]

Chris Herrod thanks so much for the quick reply. I'll save up for the jig:)

[@valentinkovshik]

Thanks for the great video! What are the thickness and width of the blade used here?

[@luthiersmercantileinternat5786]

The thickness is 1/16" and the width .200"

[@valentinkovshik]

@@luthiersmercantileinternat5786 Thank you!

[@divaldocosta6192]

i need...

[@petemclinc]

That's a fucked up way of doing that!

[@luthiersmercantileinternat5786]

+petemclinc It's tedious for sure but it works for people who don't have a laminate trimmer. This is the way it was done for decades before the advent of motorized tools.

[@Kiwigeo8339]

No is not...I prefer the gramill to a screaming laminate trimmer. You have much more control over a gramil and risk of stuff ups is much lower.