Yet another nut files thread

Anyone ever tried these before?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350453749155#ht_664wt_1141

I've been looking for reviews for them, but I'm surprised I can't find a single one since this seller has sold a ton of these already. I'm kinda iffy on them because they claim to make rounded slots, but the picture outlining profile suggests that they would cut anything but a rounded slot. I'm also iffy on them because they only come in 0.01" increments. I'm afraid that they'll be like feeler gauge files that I can make myself for 5 dollars or less.

Also, does anyone have any experience with these ones?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guitar-Nut-File-Set-10-files-/110678377648?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item19c4f204b0#ht_500wt_922

I have the second set you listed, or ones nearly identical to them. They're the ones you want. Made in Japan, good quality and made just for the job at hand. They are a bit spendy, but they're all you'll ever need.

Don't even bother with the slotted feeler gauge ones. They don't cut anywhere near like a real file should when new, and won't last like a real file over time. I would say they may be penny-wise, pound-foolish, but at $44 they aren't even that penny wise. Save up another $30-$60, and get a set of 6-8 gauged files from StewMac, Warmoth, etc, and you'll have a set of tools that will do the job properly and last you a lifetime.

What David said. Besides that, the cheaper set had an odd set of gauges that won't suit a standard set of 10-46 strings very well. Too much money for vastly inferior tools.

forget all those krap wanabe "files" and get yerself real deal gauged nut files (flat files with rounded cutting edges). for most guitar players, the following sizes will do 8's thru 13's with no sweat - 16, 20, 28, 35, 49, 56.

Those are industrial slotting saws, they do have uses but you need a dozen of them in different sizes. I have the Hiroshima ones. You will also find them in a toolmaker's cabinet.

To actually shape the slot properly, I use the rounded edge Vee bladed ones (set of three double edged). These cover a range of string gauges, again by Hiroshima.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190524348807

You can't beat those if you can't afford real files. :wink:

http://cgi.ebay.com/GUITAR-NUT-FILE-amp-banjo-bone-saddle-strings-pickup-/190524348807?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2c5c22d987

You can't beat those if you can't afford real files. :wink:

Those work fantastic, if you're making your nuts out of soap.

Best investment I ever made was a set of nut files from Stew-Mac. You've got to get the right tools, ones that make nice rounded-bottom slots. I got a set that Rob recommended on his website, good for a variety of string sizes. They didn't cost much more than the cheapy set in your first link, maybe $70 or so.

Those work fantastic, if you're making your nuts out of soap.

I use them all the time. Gods gift to nut problems if you ask me. No, they're not as good as real files, but to have in your case they're invaluable.

More than one way to skin a cat IMO ...

Those work fantastic, if you're making your nuts out of soap.

LMAO!

LMAO!

Wash your mouth out. :mrgreen:

I use them all the time. Gods gift to nut problems if you ask me. No, they're not as good as real files, but to have in your case they're invaluable.

Those are actually tip cleaners for a welding torch. They are flexible, which makes them poor tools for cutting nut slots, because it will be very hard to maintain a straight and accurate angle with them.

Those are actually tip cleaners for a welding torch. They are flexible, which makes them poor tools for cutting nut slots, because it will be very hard to maintain a straight and accurate angle with them.

Yes, I'm aware of their origin. As for them being flexible, there are 12 files, and the thicker ones are more than sturdy enough to cut a slot, and maintain it.

I agree that pro tools are ideal, but cutting a straight line is as much skill and patience as it is anything else.

Resourcefulness is the true mother of invention. Necessity is merely the daughter.

Yes, I'm aware of their origin. As for them being flexible, there are 12 files, and the thicker ones are more than sturdy enough to cut a slot, and maintain it.

I agree that pro tools are ideal, but cutting a straight line is as much skill and patience as it is anything else.

Resourcefulness is the true mother of invention. Necessity is merely the daughter.

Fair enough - different strokes for different folks (literally :) ).

I own a set of tip cleaners though, as well as japanese nut files i use on guitars, so from my experience, tip cleaners are way too flexible to do a good job cutting nut slots. Cleaning up slots, i could see that. But for actually cutting a nut i think they would be a lot of hassle to use and probably produce work that the user is ultimately unhappy with.

There is a lot of guitar work that I think can be done very well with inexpensive and homemade tools. Nut slots though, require so much minute precision to do an excellent job, that i think it's really hard to get around spending 80 dollars or so on precision tools to do them right.

Fair enough - different strokes for different folks (literally :) ).

I own a set of tip cleaners though, as well as japanese nut files i use on guitars, so from my experience, tip cleaners are way too flexible to do a good job cutting nut slots. Cleaning up slots, i could see that. But for actually cutting a nut i think they would be a lot of hassle to use and probably produce work that the user is ultimately unhappy with.

There is a lot of guitar work that I think can be done very well with inexpensive and homemade tools. Nut slots though, require so much minute precision to do an excellent job, that i think it's really hard to get around spending 80 dollars or so on precision tools to do them right.

Mike I do agree, but I think the major emphasys with the tip cleaners is more about maintainance than a nut from scratch.

All professionals are well advised to use pro tools as discussed, but how many times would your average guitar player replace a nut?

I myself own probably about 20 instruments that have nuts, be it guitars, banjos, violins, Ukeleles, bass, mandolin, and in my 30 years as a player I've probably only replaced about 4 or 5 nuts on my main guitars. I can pay £120 for genuine guitar files, which is rediculous when you think you can buy a 12 inch Bastard file for a fiver.

Some like my main Strat need a new nut, but it's a lot of messing, and not a 2 second job for someone who isn't in the swing of cutting them.

It's just as easy for me to get out some super glue, some Bicarbonate of Soda, and a set of these files, and fix it within 10 minutes. A guy who's nut goes at a gig can fix it, or have it fixed, by the time the next song is over, and 'that' is why every guitarist should buy those cheap files.

Eventually the new nut needs cutting, but not often enough for the average guy to want to throw out that kind of cash.

If they have the cash, great, buy regular files. If you're a luthier, buy regular files. If you need a great bit of kit, buy the cheap files, because they'll get your guitar playing again in minutes, and cost less than a pack of strings.

As one luthier told me, " It's not what they do, but what you do with them ".

I bought a set of these and they work well.
Norman Guitar Nut File System & String Slot Template

I bought the tip cleaner files and they are very handy for tweaking a nut!
And for only £2.99 off EBay.
£2.99 verses £100 for"specialist" nut files?
Yer cuts yer coat according to yer cloth.