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vich · March 25th, 2003, 01:51 PM

I know I can get them from Stew Mac, but they seem a bit expensive. Wamoth sells them, but they sell them as a package, and I'd rather be able to pick and choose. Shipping and handling at both of these places is $8.50. MAN that's high! Any other places I can purchase nut files? Thanks!

Tylercaster · March 25th, 2003, 02:53 PM

An alternative from Stewmac would be the diamond file. I have used it to do the whole shebang. I prefer using proper guage files of course, but if you have to you can do the whole thing with that. You just cannot have the slots very deep.

http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel...files&sku=4410

Kurt · March 25th, 2003, 08:31 PM

You only need to invest once, so it's not as bad as it seems. I started with a nut saw and four files - .010, 012/.016, .026/.032, .036/.042. Good luck

Rob DiStefano · March 26th, 2003, 07:24 AM

I use single gauge, flat, edge radiused nut files. I have about 16 or 18 of them in various gauges for working on everything from mandolins to electric basses. They're mostly fair priced - haven't seen any bargain priced ones for sale. I wouldn't even consider using a file that didn't have a proper edge radius. Nor would I use a tapered edge file, since that also distorts the slot bottom and sides.

Aside from making a buck, I don't understand how a company like Stew-Mac (and others) can peddle inappropriate "nut files" like the diamond nut file that cuts a "V" rather than a pefect radius "U" nut slot. Nut files MUST be flat sided (parallel, not tapered) and the cutting edge MUST be properly gauged (radiused).

Anything else, IMO, will not cut a proper nut slot. YMMV.

steve s · March 26th, 2003, 10:06 AM

I agree with Rob. I too use the proper radius (thickness) file for each slot. You can fudge a bit and use a thinner one for a slightly wider slot so you don't HAVE to have more than about four or five if your just using them on one type instrument. I suggest you go ahead and bite the bullet and get the right stuff in the first place and don't try to shortcut. This is a hard enough job already even with the proper tools!!!

steve

Rob DiStefano · March 26th, 2003, 10:40 AM

Yes, you absolutely can - and IMO, should - fudge on the nut file gauge size usage.
For example, a .013" file can easily handle strings from .009" thru .014".

Rolling the file from side to side as you cut the slot will open up the slot width,
and using a larger file size for a smaller string diameter is perfectly acceptable.

Phil Jacoby · March 26th, 2003, 11:18 AM

What Rob said, although I use both the IBZ/Grobet style and the tapered ones. Depends on what I want to accomplish.

hippietim · May 11th, 2003, 05:17 AM

I ordered the 8 piece set from Warmoth for $64 -- about half of Stewart MacDonald's price.

http://www.warmoth.com/common/supplies/Files.htm

March 25th, 2003, 01:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
vich TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 16	Where Can I Get Nut Files? I know I can get them from Stew Mac, but they seem a bit expensive. Wamoth sells them, but they sell them as a package, and I'd rather be able to pick and choose. Shipping and handling at both of these places is $8.50. MAN that's high! Any other places I can purchase nut files? Thanks!

March 25th, 2003, 02:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tylercaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mississippi Age: 32 Posts: 379	Nut file(s) An alternative from Stewmac would be the diamond file. I have used it to do the whole shebang. I prefer using proper guage files of course, but if you have to you can do the whole thing with that. You just cannot have the slots very deep. http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel...files&sku=4410 __________________ Psalm 33:3 - Play skillfully as you shout out your praises to Him!

March 25th, 2003, 08:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kurt Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: MA Posts: 363	Got mine from Stewmac You only need to invest once, so it's not as bad as it seems. I started with a nut saw and four files - .010, 012/.016, .026/.032, .036/.042. Good luck

March 26th, 2003, 11:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
Phil Jacoby Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 305	What Rob said, although I use both the IBZ/Grobet style and the tapered ones. Depends on what I want to accomplish. __________________ How 'bout dem O's, hon?

May 11th, 2003, 05:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
hippietim Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Raleigh Posts: 2,193	Warmoth I ordered the 8 piece set from Warmoth for $64 -- about half of Stewart MacDonald's price. http://www.warmoth.com/common/supplies/Files.htm

March 26th, 2003, 07:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 5,157	I use single gauge, flat, edge radiused nut files. I have about 16 or 18 of them in various gauges for working on everything from mandolins to electric basses. They're mostly fair priced - haven't seen any bargain priced ones for sale. I wouldn't even consider using a file that didn't have a proper edge radius. Nor would I use a tapered edge file, since that also distorts the slot bottom and sides. Aside from making a buck, I don't understand how a company like Stew-Mac (and others) can peddle inappropriate "nut files" like the diamond nut file that cuts a "V" rather than a pefect radius "U" nut slot. Nut files MUST be flat sided (parallel, not tapered) and the cutting edge MUST be properly gauged (radiused). Anything else, IMO, will not cut a proper nut slot. YMMV.

March 26th, 2003, 10:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
steve s Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 474	I agree with Rob. I too use the proper radius (thickness) file for each slot. You can fudge a bit and use a thinner one for a slightly wider slot so you don't HAVE to have more than about four or five if your just using them on one type instrument. I suggest you go ahead and bite the bullet and get the right stuff in the first place and don't try to shortcut. This is a hard enough job already even with the proper tools!!! steve

March 26th, 2003, 10:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 5,157	Yes, you absolutely can - and IMO, should - fudge on the nut file gauge size usage. For example, a .013" file can easily handle strings from .009" thru .014". Rolling the file from side to side as you cut the slot will open up the slot width, and using a larger file size for a smaller string diameter is perfectly acceptable.

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