Alternative Nut Material

[old goat]

I've heard of quite a few people using dog bone (it's cow shin bone) to make blanks.

But there again, bone blanks are only $3 and change from places like StewMac and they save a lot of work!

2 problems:
1)You can't use this if you have a dog.
2) You never know if you're getting right foreleg, left foreleg, right hind leg, or left hind leg. Makes all the difference in tone.

 

[LKB3rd]

I know a very good experienced luthier who says cow bone from a pet store dog bone or from a butcher works well. If you are a regular, you might get a bone free from a butcher.

 

[KevinB]

2 problems:
1)You can't use this if you have a dog.
2) You never know if you're getting right foreleg, left foreleg, right hind leg, or left hind leg. Makes all the difference in tone.

I've heard that goat bone can work too.

 

[charlie chitlin]

Corian works well and samples from the big hardware stores are free.
They're about 2x2" and will make several nuts.
I like the "bone" color.

 

[moosie]

I know a very good experienced luthier who says cow bone from a pet store dog bone or from a butcher works well. If you are a regular, you might get a bone free from a butcher.

But what if I don't WANT a free bone from my butcher?

 

[moosie]

I've heard that goat bone can work too.

Perfect. I was thinking the same thing.

 

[netgear69]

Unbleached Camel bone is the best easy to work with has a real vintage look and buffs up like glass

(link removed)

 

[moosie]

Unbleached Camel bone is the best easy to work with has a real vintage look and buffs up like glass

(link removed)

Now where's that dang camel...

 

[Zepfan]

Corian works well and samples from the big hardware stores are free.
They're about 2x2" and will make several nuts.
I like the "bone" color.

Been there, tried that. No luck.

 

[Zepfan]

I'll just go to the pet store. I'm sure my dog will be pissed if I don't get one for him too.

 

[charlie chitlin]

Been there, tried that. No luck.

No samples?
Or the material didn't work for you?
I got mine at Lowes a few years ago.
Probably got 6 nuts out of one piece (not even being careful), and I'm part way through the other piece.
The idea of a sink backsplash is a good one.
I got a marble one for a few bucks (less than 10, I think) and they cut it in half for free, and now I have 2 fret leveling stones.

 

[moosie]

No samples?
Or the material didn't work for you?
I got mine at Lowes a few years ago.
Probably got 6 nuts out of one piece (not even being careful), and I'm part way through the other piece.
The idea of a sink backsplash is a good one.
I got a marble one for a few bucks (less than 10, I think) and they cut it in half for free, and now I have 2 fret leveling stones.

Not sure if you're saying to use marble for nuts, but I think it would be much too soft.

 

[charlie chitlin]

Not sure if you're saying to use marble for nuts, but I think it would be much too soft.

No...it was just an aside.
Somebody mentioned backsplashes and I was reminded of my backsplash fret levelers..
I think a Corian backsplash could provide a lifetime of nuts even for a full-time luthier...and probably cost about $6.

 

[Zepfan]

No samples at my local Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

[koko3rd]

Take a serious look at Zero Glide nuts for $30. Bone and fret wire in several different heights to play with. I love mine.

 

[moosie]

No...it was just an aside.
Somebody mentioned backsplashes and I was reminded of my backsplash fret levelers..
I think a Corian backsplash could provide a lifetime of nuts even for a full-time luthier...and probably cost about $6.

Yeah, but I'll take bone every day.

 

[Zepfan]

Take a serious look at Zero Glide nuts for $30. Bone and fret wire in several different heights to play with. I love mine.

This seriously negates trying to save money. If I could afford that, I wouldn't have started this thread. Besides, I loathe Zero Frets.

 

[midget bar]

You might be able to get some corian samples free online if you say you have a project or a business that needs some samples. What I remember from a few years ago you could get like 6 free sample squares from dupont or the corian people if you say you are a business. Other options are to call around to some of your local kitchen remodel places to see if they have cut outs or drops. Tell them why you want it and they will more than likely want to help you out because they think it is a cool thing to do with their boring product. Also if you know any architects or interior designers ask them, they often have multiple full sets of samples, or more likely multiple partial sets because some samples got lost and they will be happy to get rid of them.
There are a million ways to get free/cheap corian bits be creative.

 

[Zepfan]

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[old goat]

I've heard that goat bone can work too.

too old and brittle