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I make about 3 or 4 nuts a week for the last 35 years and I use a jewlers saw for string 1 and 2 on electrics and steel strings then (you won't believe this) I cut the other notches with the same hack saw blade I've had all that time. I do all six cuts with the hack saw blade for classics. I've gotten pretty good at it I guess and the customers are happy. I bought an expensive nut file set and I just can't seem to do as well as with my magic hack saw blade. I even use it for bass nuts. I start with a straight cut to depth then starting at the top, I tilt the blade from side to side to carve the width.
Michael

I'm really leaning towards the ones warmoth stocks.
For all those that have said kind things about the guitar. Thank you. That's actually the more classy looking photos of it. Lets just say I'm learning some things about styling.
* I like figured woods
*I'll never use plastic bindings again (not custom and elegant looking enough. atleast not pearloid. Hope it yellows up a lot [but without shrinking]
*umm... I think I'll stick to one type of wood between back and sides. wtf was I thinking?

*Oh, and no more veneers on rosettes. Getting it perfectly flush is almost impossible but man that figure is gorgeous!

Here's a build thread and includes the git my old man's making too which is all quilted maple. Perhaps I'dve done all quilted too if resawing the lumber had went differently. Some turned out thin and some turned out REALLY thin!
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/foru ... 810&page=2

I have the hosco set like warmouth sells but mine goes up to .056 and has 10 files sold by Heinl Violin in Toronto, I also have hosco fret files that are quite good. Hosco has a web site listing all their products in English.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

That method would produce a flat(ish) bottomed slot with one point of contact (if we ignore any contact at the sides of the string). I've also heard of some Classical makers who cut V slots using just one triangular needle file. I guess that would produce two points of contact. Perhaps it has a tendency to wear out the grooves faster but that may not be a huge deal on the softer strings of a Classical.

V slots are bad news, because it tends to bind the string and causes early string breakage.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Another vote for the SM files and their string spacing ruler. I used needle files on #1 and 2, but after chasing some
strange overtones on a couple of strings (traced down to nut grooves), I spent the money on the correct diameter
files- so much easier to get a good looking nut, IMHO.

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Very timely thread for me as I made my first nut yesterday and realize slotting files are probably a good idea.




Fred, how does Heinl compare for price? Like to get things "local" if I can to avoid shipping and duty but some things there seem to be marked up quite a bit. Although they do have a lot of decent prices.

I got mine on sale a while back, check out their on line price lists. I deal with Gary Gouger by phone and email, he is a pleasure to do business with. I buy mostly cases from them but the nut files and fret crowning files were too good of a deal to pass on, one of my buddies has the three double sided file set and he is quite happy with them also. I also am happy when I can eliminate the border issues and buy from a Canadian supplier, it is so much quicker and usually not that much more cost though the sales tax is a pain.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

I can't imagine a V slot would ever be good. I've done a few nuts that were perfect squares and they work well.

I didn't think they sold the 10 piece kit anymore which seemed odd. Their (the 8 piece) sizes go from .040 to .050 which seems like quite a large gap for different setups. When it was a 10 piece it had a .045 or .046 I believe.

Love the Stewmac nut slotting ruler!

I have several different brands of round edge slitting files, some Grobet, some Japanese, a few Stewmac. I tried the "Norman" files, to see if he had built a better mousetrap--he hadn't, they went dull after three nuts.

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https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylsuits/he ... -runnin-13