nut file

[duke1098]

need to take down string height at the nut and was wondering if anyone uses other tools other than the stewmac ones?

If I were doing this regularly i'd invest in the stew-macs files ( cost prohibitive for us overseas) but i'm only doing this once in a while.

I've read feeler gauges, old strings and cleaning tips for welders could do the job. Has anyone had expereince with any of these ?

 

[Tone_Chaser]

Feeler gauges will not give you a uniform round surface on the bottom of the slot. Several people here have mentioned the welding cleaner tips from first had experience. That sounds like your best bet.

 

[RobStark]

Feeler gauges will not give you a uniform round surface on the bottom of the slot. Several people here have mentioned the welding cleaner tips from first had experience. That sounds like your best bet.

I would seriously stay clear of welder tip cleaners, feeler guages, or any other tool that you have to modify or any tool that is not meant for the job filing nuts, even if its just taking it down a few thousanths is something that needs to be pretty darn precise or else it can affect tone, intonation, and cause other problems like string binding, etc...

The angle and apex of the slot needs to be just right and you can only attain this with nut files. However, GRIZZLY the brand makes a fantastic set of but files for sale on amazon. They are still a bit of $ but definitely less than stew Mac and from what I've heard they are every bit as good. Just do an search for "guitar nut files " on amazon and they are one of the first few results.

Some luthier on a forum (don't recall if it was this forum or a different one) once posted a very thorough and detailed explanation of his findings and experience with using the "ghetto" type files (feeler guages and welding wtips, etc...) vs. regular small files you can buy at harbor freight/home depot vs. Proper nut files. He had really close up zoomed in photos showing the nut lot and how bad of a cut the other ones made and you can eeasily see why you would only use a proper file. I'll try and find it and post it here.

 

[Open_Book]

need to take down string height at the nut and was wondering if anyone uses other tools other than the stewmac ones?

If I were doing this regularly i'd invest in the stew-macs files ( cost prohibitive for us overseas) but i'm only doing this once in a while.

I've read feeler gauges, old strings and cleaning tips for welders could do the job. Has anyone had expereince with any of these ?

If you are only doing it once in a while then have it done professionally rather than trying to cheap-out -- I'll never understand why people pay so much for instruments to then compromise the thing with a half-assed method of repair on an important part of its make-up.

You don't need to buy every know size of file either - Freddy's Post

Those other methods are like trying to tighten a nut with a pair of pliers...

 

[duke1098]

Normally, I agree. But this is an tele that I'd like to try my hand at setting up beyond the usual truss rod and saddle adjustments.

I'll pick up a pack of welder cleaning rods and practise before tackling my les pauls.
appreciate the replies.

 

[RobStark]

Read this post before making your final decision.
Cheap(er) Nut Files? - Telecaster Guitar Forum

Look at the pictures the guy took. He compares all sorts of files plus feeler gauges and welder tip cleaners.

 

[DennyB]

I use UO-CHIKYU BRAND files.
A set can be had for near the cost of 1 file from Stew Mac. Do an eBay search.
I have tried many of the other alternatives and it's not worth your time.
These files have served me well on many setups.
Nothing against Stew Mac, I average $100 a month in orders with them. One has to pick and choose.
If you are going to setup 1 guitar then this is a worth while investment. But who only owns 1 guitar????
Edit:
And go very slow with nut cutting! When you get close, one pass then test. I have had to re-replace nuts because of one too many passes. Not a fan of the super glue and baking powder fix.
Frankly, nearly everything I own now has Tusq XL self lubricating nuts. No need to lube the nut and I have never had a problem with the string binding in the nut.

Just saying...
Not thinking, just saying...

 

[duke1098]

Read this post before making your final decision.
Cheap(er) Nut Files? - Telecaster Guitar Forum

Look at the pictures the guy took. He compares all sorts of files plus feeler gauges and welder tip cleaners.

Great source of info. I suspected the feeler guages rougher than the other options but was suprised they were so bad. Like cutting with a chainsaw.

Does someone have a cross section pic of a nut file? I always though it was a steep ' V ' with a rounded bottom.

 

[RobStark]

Great source of info. I suspected the feeler guages rougher than the other options but was suprised they were so bad. Like cutting with a chainsaw.

Does someone have a cross section pic of a nut file? I always though it was a steep ' V ' with a rounded bottom.

Actually I do have a cross section pic, let me try and dig it up

 

[piperindebt]

This is not the right way, but I have used various set of thin serrated kitchen knives for the job and used some sandpaper to make the slots from V to U shape. Did 2 so far with success. I also use this instruction as my reference
http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/repair/acoustic-guitar/nut.php

 

[emoney]

I'd be remiss if I didn't admit I was hoping this was a thread about Randy Quaid.

 

[RobStark]

Ok I thought o had better pics of cross sections but I couldn't find what I originally wanted to share, but here is a cross section view of stew Mac file. While it looks V-shaped, the tip is actually rounded. If you had the time in your hand you would see/feel it is rounded to give the slot a nice rounded U shape:

Here are a few more pics, while not what you requested, but I thought could be helpful still:

 

[Otto tune]

I've read feeler gauges, old strings and cleaning tips for welders could do the job. Has anyone had expereince with any of these ?

Save your money on the cleaning tips. I bought a set at ACE and they're cheap, but it would be a lifetime to cut a nut down.
Barely any abrasive, and hard to hold.

My luthier has a couple tiny triangular files, not a whole set.

 

[SpareRibs]

Normally, I agree. But this is an tele that I'd like to try my hand at setting up beyond the usual truss rod and saddle adjustments.
I'll pick up a pack of welder cleaning rods and practise before tackling my les pauls.
appreciate the replies.

Hello,
Go ahead and try it, worst option is you will have to replace the nut or take it to the shop. I think it is worth a shot in comparison to the more expensive choices.
I am holding a set of feeler gauges in my hand right now, the edges of them are indeed rounded. You could use the feeler gauges for the initial cut then smooth it with the tip cleaners. You are just deepening the slots, its not like you were making a complete nut from scratch.
What did people do before Stu Mac existed ?

 

[Otto tune]

Look at the diagram. The slot should be no wider than the string and be round and less depth than the string radius.
So, let's start with a .010". How do you do that?
The answer is, you don't, unless you have the .010" file.
My luthier uses a triangular file and doesn't obsess over it.

 

[Open_Book]

What did people do before Stu Mac existed ?

If they had any sense they used Jewellers Joint Round-edge Files...

Otto's

 

[Comanche]

Someone told me to go to a welding supply store and get a pack of the little round files they use to clean wire feed welders.

They are $6

 

[Bill Hicklin]

.010-012-015 slots for the unwounds? Razor saws.

 

[Ripthorn]

I have done a few with the welding tip cleaners, and they are the most desperate thing about my setup that needs to change. With how small and flexible (and short) they are, the chances of getting a nice straight slot is almost zero. Yes they are cheap, and yes they will cut, but you will hate yourself every second you are cutting with them.

 

[duke1098]

i bought a set of long 5" welder tip cleaners which should be make the file easier to handle. I coudnt imagine using it to cut a nut from blank with these but for fine tuning they look the deal.
I'll practise on a bit of scrap plastic before I take on my giutar.