MAn, this thread was a good read.
To add my 2 cents, i went through the same thing. I was building 2 or 3 guitars and was pretty skint as a result. In the end i bought 6 of the guaged stewmac files. I'm glad i did. I've done all my guitars now and a few for others than earnt me a few quid towards the cost of the files
.
Did anyone suggest cutting teeth in feeler guages with a dremmel? peopl have done that in the past.
Do you know anyone with a set who could do the nut for you?
Good luck, i know what it's like when you can't afford to get something that you really can't do without, bandsaw anyone?