Nut file alternative

Grendel Silver Supporting Member. Messages 1, Anyone got a suggestion for reasonable alternatives? Thanks for any ideas! Ron Kirn Vendor. Messages 7, If you're only doing a few guitars, the inexpensive files are fine I don't know oof you're a professional or not, but you can become established with some of the tool suppliers and as such, receive significant professional discounts..

JamCave Studio Member. I've seen Luthiers use an old E, A, D string to nut slots. Just use one of these strings as a file depending on the size. Neverwhere Member. Some people bootleg it by wrapping sandpaper around automotive feeler gauges, or buying welding torch tip cleaning rods as make shift files.

I've done both and I'd try the automotive feeler gauge route first. You can buy single files from places like Grizzly for around 10 dollars, but after shipping you are in bucks for a single file.

Last edited: Nov 20, Calebz Senior Member. They're only good for a few uses. I wouldn't use them if I was starting with a blank nut. For for cleaning up a factory nut cut, they're fine. Something like that -. Monte Allums no affiliation uses an exacto knife with a special blade and then a set of round files.

Here's a link DRS Member. Messages 12, A well cut nut can make a troublesome guitar a joy to play. T Dizz Member. Messages 21, I've folded a little piece of grit paper under the string and worked the slot until it was where I wanted it. Baxtercat Silver Supporting Member. I just use the sides of some feeler gauges [had an extra set]. Boris Bubbanov Member. Messages 23, T Dizz said:. Scary Uncle G. Messages 3, Once you have the nut files be careful.

DRS said:. Thanks everyone! Messages 4, I bought both my sets for guitar and bass directly from Japan. AngelDeVille , Oct 7, Messages: 5, If you are only doing one or two guitars a year Find the one that fits out of the set and file away. When filing, test slot depth by fretting the third fret and check gap to the first fret should be or maybe 3 sheets of photocopy paper.

Regarding the comment "might have to go up a gauge from 10s to 11s", what's the reasoning? BG dropped back to 7s and 8s depending on the guitar scale used like BBK used 8s. Bob the builder likes this. Age: 80 Messages: 19, Messages: 43, Thrup'ny Bit , Oct 7, Messages: 11, Messages: 10, I have a selection of knives and feeler gauges that I put in a vice and used sandpaper in a "shoe shine " fashion on the blades edge to make it half round.

Then I used a thin Dremel cut off blade to cut many "teeth" into it. They do not compare to a quality set of files but if you are on an island and need to do something, it is something. Messages: 6, Age: 65 Messages: 18, TangerineDog likes this.

You must log in or sign up to reply here. Show Ignored Content. Your name or email address: Do you already have an account? No, create an account now.