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| Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=46748 |
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| Author: | Bryan Bear [ Mon Nov 30, 2015 12:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
I ordered some gauged nut slot files from Stew Mac and the 0.010" file is bent in a long arc. 0.010" is awfully thin and would be easily bent in packing or shipping. I would guess that in use, this bend would not really make much difference since it will follow the micro saw kerf that is made first. At this thickness it is easily flexed and can be made "straight" but the bend is permanently imparted to the file in a relaxed state. I know Stew Mac's customer service is excellent and they would replace it without question but I hate to have them pay for shipping a replacement if it is not really needed. I guess my question is, will this bend be enough of a problem in use to warrant bothering to replace it? |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Mon Nov 30, 2015 1:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
Don't know if this will help, but I CA'd 3/4mm (IIRC) stiff wood (ABW) up each side of my 3 (set of 10) thinnest nut files to stiffen them. I find it easier to hold them too. |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Mon Nov 30, 2015 1:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
Try it out on scrap to see if it's a problem. If it is, send it back, if it is not, it is not. |
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| Author: | Bryan Bear [ Mon Nov 30, 2015 1:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
Colin, thanks for that idea. I'm going to do that for my other thin ones as well. I bet I will love it. Ed, it seems to cut fine but with a round bottom cut so small I can't really see if there is an issue with the results. I guess I was asking if in actual practice if I was asking for nut trouble (binding or buzzing. . .). I think Colin's suggestion will take care of me. |
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| Author: | Hesh [ Mon Nov 30, 2015 3:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
Hey Bryan. Do you mean that the business edge, the cutting edges are not straight and have a curve to them or that the file is bent a bit sideways when looking down at it and holding it in the working position? If the cutting surface has a bend in it return it, that's a non-starter and will cut slots with a hump in them or on the other side a dip. If it's bent sideways and won't bend back and stay back I would return it too. You should not need to start nut slots with a saw. In fact I often start them with my .013" because the .010 is so very flexible and wimpy that it's not as precise as a rigid file. PS: I rarely use a .010 and mine remains like new. The .013 seems to do most of my needs as well as our customer's needs too. |
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| Author: | Bryan Bear [ Mon Nov 30, 2015 3:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
Yes Hesh, it is bent sideways (not the cutting surface). I probably will not use this very often either, I got it for mandolin nuts and saddles. I've made exactly 1 mandolin in my life, it needs a little touch up on. Now that I have this file, I better start making more 
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| Author: | DennisK [ Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
Usually what I do in cases like this is ask for a discount. Sounds like it will most likely work just fine with the stiffening strips. |
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| Author: | John Arnold [ Mon Nov 30, 2015 8:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
My 0.010" Stew Mac file also curves in its relaxed state, but it is so flexible that it does not seem to affect the function. |
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| Author: | Bryan Bear [ Tue Dec 01, 2015 11:50 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
Thanks John. |
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| Author: | Alex Kleon [ Tue Dec 01, 2015 3:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bent Stew Mac nut slot file - return? |
I made a couple of holders for my two thinnest files last night.   I used 1/64" veneer for the spacers, and thinned some for the .011" file, and sandwiched them between some scraps. Alex Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
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