Nut File Kits

This is something I have been looking into as well; I want to start doing some building in a month or so, & will be using blanks & have to cut/file them myself. I have read on a few forums & other sites that guys have been using welding torch cleaners & they seem to work.

I guess they would be ok for dressing/smoothing a nut groove, but I don't know about making new grooves in virgin stock. Seems like you would need the right tool for that! 8) Anyway, at $100 + for a small nut file set, I'm not sure I wanna dump that much dough into it.

I'll be interested to see what the other members have to say about it.

Roy - are you dressing nuts or making grooves in new stock?

Hey Katmetal,

I'm just filing one groove down. A low E string on my accoustic is too high.

for a quickie, low cost nut saw - not really a file, get a set of blade feeler gauges and serrate the edges of whichever gauge blades are needed by using the corner edge of a "regular" hand file. Blade feeler gauge are tough stuff, so it takes a bit of doing to make these. even roughing up the edge of a feeler blade turns it into a saw. once done they will start and deepen slots quite well, and do it without widening beyond the width of the feeler gauge -- because it's a saw, not a file. if I use one of these, I widen the top of the slot a bit with a triangular precision file (cheap set from Home Depot or Lowes) to prevent string binding.

others may suggest using an old wound string as a cutter or saw. that won't cut a fresh nut very well or help for the smaller (unwound) gauges. however, these can help widen and shape the bottom of an existing or roughly cut nut slot.

I have a set of nut files from Stew-Mac. I use these about 50% of the time, and the homemade saws the other. one nice thing about the Stew-Mac files is they cut a curved bottom into the slot, and this better matched the string's circular cross-section.

I too own Stewmac nut files. Seem to work well.

Ah yes, Stew Mac. I knew there was a place everyone favored.

I think, for financial reasons, that I'm going to create the saw thing gnease spoke of. Still, I will someday get me some of the toys, er, tools on this page. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Nuts_and_saddles.html I'm thinking the kit, which includes the files, along with the "New" slotting gauge and the string lifter(/snapper).

Thanks guys!

Yup, price is a major contributing factor. I'm awaiting my new Stewmac crowning file. I think Stewmac gets a kickback from shipping as one file cost $8.50 to ship :(

There is also Warmoth who have a set of files that are less pricey. I haven't used them, so I can't comment on the quality difference.

Thanks Kent_eh. That looks more attractive price-wise. Warmoth is a reputable name, I think.

I saw a set of cheapo angle files at a flea market Sunday. I thought about it........ briefly ....and decided it was not worth the risk.

Yup, price is a major contributing factor. I'm awaiting my new Stewmac crowning file. I think Stewmac gets a kickback from shipping as one file cost $8.50 to ship :(
Shipping is maddening. I just ordered a new diaphram and ring assembly for my Litman Cardiology II SE stethescope, the thing is the size of a silver dollar and made of rubber and plastic ..... $10 shipping! I knew they would just mail it in an envelope so I ordered some scrubbs too. Oh yeah ... this is a guitar forum. :lol: I went the cheap nut file route, Lowes precision files and an Exacto knife saw set. Worked OK too.