archtop_fjk
Tele-Afflicted
I have some old Stew-Mac nut files but my 0.010 file broke apart due to age. I replaced them with Uo-Chikyu Japanese nut files which I purchased on eBay. They are much better than the Stew-Mac files!
Which Nut Files (leaning towards Hosco) for first time buyer?
- Thread starter LaMarr-Bruister
- Start date
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jvin248
Doctor of Teleocity
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First start the tool chase with a needs assessment. Are you planning to do a dozen guitars a day for years? Or one to two guitars a year? That will tell you what tools to choose.
The secondary factor is skill and tool speed. Get a pro file and your inexperience can remove way too much material way too fast. Then you have a larger repair to do!
Just get a $6 welding tip cleaner file set to start with. Yes they have limitations, however, they are plenty fast enough for a few guitars tweaked here and there while learning proper nut adjustments.
Same game on fret tools when you get there.
.
First start the tool chase with a needs assessment. Are you planning to do a dozen guitars a day for years? Or one to two guitars a year? That will tell you what tools to choose.
The secondary factor is skill and tool speed. Get a pro file and your inexperience can remove way too much material way too fast. Then you have a larger repair to do!
Just get a $6 welding tip cleaner file set to start with. Yes they have limitations, however, they are plenty fast enough for a few guitars tweaked here and there while learning proper nut adjustments.
Same game on fret tools when you get there.
.
These are the StewMac files that I have and use, which would be my first choice if I was starting again. I only have the first four, if I was setting up bass guitars I would want the whole set
Double-edge Nut Files - StewMac
Six specially designed double-edge files for nut slotting. Each file cuts two different width slots.
I have these and don't use them. Broke the 0.010 soon after I got them, they are probably fine if that is all I had but I prefer the SM ones
In my humble opinion welding tip cleaners are great for cleaning your welding tips but not filing nut slots. Pucker up, buy the right tool, use them for the rest of your life.
The irony is not lost on me that SM calls them "double-edge".
Thanks for clarifying!Re welding tip cleaners: I also recommend starting with the right tool. Otherwise you'll struggle, your result will suck, and *then* you'll get the right tool. Or quit.
A set of nut files, any variety, will cost a hundred bucks or so. Make two nuts and you've paid for them. Make 20 nuts and they will be old friends.
I actually bought a set of tip cleaners. Tried them once and immediately went back to real files,
I actually bought a set of tip cleaners. Tried them once and immediately went back to real files,
DrASATele
Poster Extraordinaire
I have the double sided nut files from stew mac, they are ok. I bought the hosco like ones from Grizzly, they usually have them on sale for a decent price around the holidays. I believe I saw a posting from Ron about the sale. They are just better than the Stew Mac double sided ones for sure.
telepraise
Friend of Leo's
I would go with the first set. It has more sizes and I like to be able to see what I'm doing without a handle in the way. The 0.010" one is going to be flexible so it takes some care in using.I'm going to try and learn how to work on a nut. This isn't something that I'll do often, but I want to be able to lower a slot or widen, etc... as needed on my own guitars. I live in a rural area and it's an hour's drive to get a qualified luthier/tech and it seems like something I should be able to do. I'm a buy once, cry once type of person with tools so I'd like to get the correct tool.
I've been leaning toward the Hosco files, but am open to suggestions. I'm not sure what the main difference between these two sets is beyond the shape. It looks like they both have round bottoms, which seems critical.
Guitar Nut File Set, 10 files
Guitar nut file set from .010 to .056www.philadelphialuthiertools.com
Hosco Compact Black Electric Guitar 009-042 Nut File Set w/ Aluminum Holder - Philadelphia Luthier Tools & Supplies, LLC
Hosco's compact black nut file sets with alumnum holder the securely holds file during use. Electric Guitar set for 009-042 stings.
Any feedback is appreciated!
WillyWonky
Tele-Holic
Those used to be called Hiroshima, but they changed the name to Uo-Chikyu,
good to know you prefer them to the stew mac, I'll buy the Uo-Chikyu again.
If you have never owned a set of nut files and you try torch tip cleaners, you'll think they work pretty well.
And then when you step up to actual nut files, you will kick yourself in the junk for ever thinking torch tip cleaners were functional for nut work. The difference is that great. You can make a nut with torch tip cleaners and other improvised tools, but you will be at it a long time and the results will not be pro-grade work.
Once I have the nut blank cut to size, polished and installed, I can mark and cut the slots to perfection inside of 15 minutes. Good files make the work go really fast with very little effort. And the slots will be perfectly shaped and sized.
Here's another tip for you nut file nuts: use a fine abrasive stone or diamond hone to add a small gentle round-over on each toe of every file. Follow that with polishing the round-over to perfection on 600-grit paper. This will save your bacon if the toe of the file makes contact with a headstock face.
And then when you step up to actual nut files, you will kick yourself in the junk for ever thinking torch tip cleaners were functional for nut work. The difference is that great. You can make a nut with torch tip cleaners and other improvised tools, but you will be at it a long time and the results will not be pro-grade work.
Once I have the nut blank cut to size, polished and installed, I can mark and cut the slots to perfection inside of 15 minutes. Good files make the work go really fast with very little effort. And the slots will be perfectly shaped and sized.
Here's another tip for you nut file nuts: use a fine abrasive stone or diamond hone to add a small gentle round-over on each toe of every file. Follow that with polishing the round-over to perfection on 600-grit paper. This will save your bacon if the toe of the file makes contact with a headstock face.
+1
Their small size and their well shaped handles make them really easy to use. I also like the plastic tip so I don't gouge the head stock.
Fenderbaum
Tele-Afflicted
If you dont buy expensive complete gauge sets.
Start with a 010 set. You can file for 008.009 and.010 gauge. Then buy 012 single file later.
Start with a 010 set. You can file for 008.009 and.010 gauge. Then buy 012 single file later.
