Which nut slot files should i get?

[scubadoo]

Hi, I'm looking at the Stewmac Guaged Nut Slotting files http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...ing_Files.html

It seems to me that their double-edged files would produce a v-shaped slot with a rounded bottom rather than straight edges.

So, which sizes do i need. I generally use regular light guage strings; 10, 13, 17, 26, 36, 46 . Is it ok to use a bigger file or should you use a smaller one and rock the file from side to side. For example, for the .026" string, should i use a .024" or .028" file?

This is gonna cost me an arm and a leg when you add in the nut shaping files, feeler guages etc.

[RodeoTex]

I bought 3 Stew-Mac files: .058, .032, .016". Each of these will cut slots for 2 strings each. For slightly thicker strings you can just 'rock' the file from side to side.

[scubadoo]

Is the .016 not to big for a .009 or .010" string. Likewise with the .058 for 0.46" string.

This is all new to me so excuse if i'm asking stupid questions.

[RodeoTex]

That's what I would have thought too but keep in mind that these files leave a round bottom slot so the string will stay centered. I thought that better than having the strings bind in the slots.
Of course, with enough money you can buy one specific file for each string guage.
Best of luck to ya.

[micpoc]

Originally Posted by scubadoo

Is the .016 not to big for a .009 or .010" string. Likewise with the .058 for 0.46" string.

This is all new to me so excuse if i'm asking stupid questions.

Generally you want the slots to be bigger than the strings they will be supporting; otherwise binding can be an issue. I think you're OK with a file up to .010" larger than the string gauge, though a .013" may be more appropriate for those.

[jrfrond]

The smallest file from Stew-Mac is .012"/.016". These will cover your first two strings. Always cut the slots a couple of thousandths over the string diameter. Also, bite the bullet and get all correctly-sized files. While rocking the file side-to-side does work in a pinch, it tends to produce inconsistent results.

[scubadoo]

So for the regular light guage that i use should I get the .010, 0.13, .016 (or 0.20?), .028, .035, .046"?

[MickM]

I have these,very nice and good folks to deal with.
http://axinc.net/storefront/p-151-nu...files-set.aspx

[scubadoo]

Originally Posted by MickM

I have these,very nice and good folks to deal with.
http://axinc.net/storefront/p-151-nu...files-set.aspx

I think the're more expensive than the Stewmac ones. Are they good?

[MickM]

Stew mac- $12.95 ea.
Axiom-$9.60 ea.
Everything I got from axiom has been high guality. Same with Stew Mac.

[scubadoo]

Whoops, got my dollars and pounds mixed up there!

[Beatbx]

I got a set of these, and they are excellent:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Norman-bass-six-...QQcmdZViewItem

[scubadoo]

Originally Posted by Beatbx

I got a set of these, and they are excellent:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Norman-bass-six-...QQcmdZViewItem

I've heard bad things about those, aren't they just feeler guages with teeth cut in? Apparently they wear out pretty quick and 'Norman' doesn't refund. How have you found them? They're not much cheaper than the files are they?

[Vizcaster]

Mick - good find. I have the Japanese set from Luthier's Mercantile International which is great except one file is too small so you need to buy an open-stock .028 file separately (I seem to recall the one file in the LMII set is .024 which is too tight for the .026 strings in many sets). The set you found solves that problem.

By the way, Scub, the knife-edged profile of the middle of the body of the Stew Mac files shouldn't concern you - remember the important part of the slot is that half-circle that the string sits in. If the slot is any deeper than that then you should be filing away the tops (removing the peaks between the valleys) so the string sits partially proud of the nut surface. I think the photos on frets.com are the best explanation of what you're striving for on shaping a nut.

I prefer a full gauged set, but I'm a tool hound. Some carefully selected double edged files will also get you by so listen to the guys who have done it that way successfully. Kind of like jewelry, decide how much you want to spend before you go shopping and chose accordingly (then again for some reason my wife gets jewelry that meets or exceeds the cost of my last guitar - gotta stop doing that).

[Beatbx]

Originally Posted by scubadoo

I've heard bad things about those, aren't they just feeler guages with teeth cut in? Apparently they wear out pretty quick and 'Norman' doesn't refund. How have you found them? They're not much cheaper than the files are they?

I can assure you they're not simply feeler guages. You can see they've been machined semi-by hand. As to durability, I admit I've only done a handful of nuts since I got them. I did get one of the stewmac double sided files once, I believe a .012/.016, and the edge got a little chipped up with use. For the price of the Norman files, you get bass string sizes as well though.

[scubadoo]

Originally Posted by Beatbx

I can assure you they're not simply feeler guages. You can see they've been machined semi-by hand. As to durability, I admit I've only done a handful of nuts since I got them. I did get one of the stewmac double sided files once, I believe a .012/.016, and the edge got a little chipped up with use. For the price of the Norman files, you get bass string sizes as well though.

I was reading this earlier today http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi...;f=12;t=002849 and people were suggesting that that's what they are. I'm glad they've worked out for you

I think I'm gonna go with the guaged nut files from Stewmac (not the double-sided ones), mainly because the UK luthiers i know use them and recommend them. I just need to decide which sizes.

[Beatbx]

Originally Posted by scubadoo

I was reading this earlier today http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi...;f=12;t=002849 and people were suggesting that that's what they are. I'm glad they've worked out for you

I think I'm gonna go with the guaged nut files from Stewmac (not the double-sided ones), mainly because the UK luthiers i know use them and recommend them. I just need to decide which sizes.

I've got one of the stewmac gauged files (.028) and it's very good. Better I think than the double sided ones. I don't think you'll go wrong with it. As far as that link goes, it's two years old and I think he's refined his process, if not his customer service Still, I highly recommend the Norman nut files. The dissenter even admitted that he does "a LOT" of nuts. Most of us don't.

[scubadoo]

Thanks Beatbx. That's really helpful.

[jrfrond]

The knife-edge shape of the Stew-Mac files keeps the file from binding escessively in the slot. The machinist's "joint files", the ones with parallel sides and teeth on the edge, can be a real pain in anything other than bone, as they tend to bind.

[martyb1]

Originally Posted by Beatbx

I got a set of these, and they are excellent:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Norman-bass-six-...QQcmdZViewItem

I got a set of these.After using them on about 4 nuts,I had to re-cut the teeth on one with the dremel.

[scubadoo]

Originally Posted by jrfrond

The knife-edge shape of the Stew-Mac files keeps the file from binding escessively in the slot. The machinist's "joint files", the ones with parallel sides and teeth on the edge, can be a real pain in anything other than bone, as they tend to bind.

I'm more confused now. I read an old post by Rob Stefano about those tapered Stewmac files saying that they were no good and that the straight-edge ones were better.

[BAW4742]

I just got the FNS set from LMII.

http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdpro...htext=nut+file

Only used them on two nuts so far but I liked them. The set starts at .016 so I cut the first 2 slots with a .010 gauged saw from Stew Mac.

[scubadoo]

Just had this advice back from Stewmac;

The rule of thumb is to match the gauge or use up to .003" bigger. You can also use .001" smaller and wiggle the file side to side to make the slot slightly bigger. You might consider:

#0821 0.010" for your 10
#0823 0.013" for your 13
#0827 0.016 OR #0828 0.020" for your 17
#0830 0.028" for your 26
#0832 0.035" for your 36
#5313 0.046" for your 46

I'm always impressed with how they come back with a response within 24 hours. In stark contrast with Allparts UK. I recently received a neck from them; it had a deep vintage amber stain when i wanted a natural finish. The website never mentioned this finish and whilst commenting on the excellent quality of the neck I asked if all their finished necks were like this. Suprise, suprise, nearly 2 weeks later, no reply. I really like their necks but am getting fed up with the customer service.

Anyway, rant over, time to order some files.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

[scubadoo]

I just received my files from Stewmac, very nice and super quick delivery to the UK once again.

It's going to be so nice to be able to cut my own nuts, hang on, that sounds wrong!

[Strat62]

I just grabbed the Axiom set; thanx for the link and the info!