Official Luthiers Forum!

i know this has been addressed before. my head is reeling from reading through the archives. i cant really find any definitive info on the matter. for just your average run of the mill medium gauge strings, which set of nut files would you recommend? there are a handful out there and it seems like no one set has all of the files you would need. what do you guys use? if i could order from LMI that would be great because i will be placing an order there anyways and that would help with shipping.

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sweat the small stuff.

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I really like the Norman nut files, they cut really nice.
He sells on E Bay

I have the set of 8 Ibanez nut files from LMI found here(FlSET)
http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproducts.asp?searchtext=nut+files&Submit=Quick+Search&NameProdHeader=Nut+%26+Saddle+Files

They work great for acoustic or electric. The double sided set of three on the same link (FNS)would probably work fine as well. If you plan on building or working on more than one guitar, buy good ones. They are worth their weight in gold. I sincerely doubt you'll ever say to yourself,"I paid too much for those nut files." MHO.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

For what it is worth, I highly agree with Peter. The Norman files ($60 or so for guitar, $80 for bass and guitar) are just really nice. They cut beautifully, are well made, and are easy to use.

Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

I've owned and used about every nut file out there, and they will pretty much all work. The gauged joint round edge files are by far my favorite however, and like Tony, I find the Grobets to be the best. My current set consists of about 20 gauged files, from at least 3 different makers (Grobet in the sizes available, then some StewMac and Ibanez ones to fill in the gaps). After getting used to these files, I would have a hard time going back to the taper cut style.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

How many nuts have you cut with them? I tried them out a couple of years back, they were quite dull after three nuts. Norman is an interesting fellow to deal with, too.

I've been a Grobet/Hoshino owner/operator for nearly two decades.

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

The LMI "FN" set will get you where you want to go. You'll be doing a little "tilt filing", the .016 for the B string slot, for example, but that's a good skill to have, anyway.

This is an instance where, frankly, shortcutting will come back to bite you; buy the right tool, and get on with your work.

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

i think the problem is that ive never cut nut slots before. i dont know what it takes. when i look at the string gauges on a typical set of medium gauge strings and compare it to any nut file set, its hard for me to tell which files will work for which string gauge. i know the nut slot should be slightly larger than the strings, but how much? does a file leave a larger kerf than its printed width like a blade? or does a .013" file leave basically a .013" kerf?

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sweat the small stuff.

Martin carries Grobet nut files -

https://www.martinguitar.com/1833/catal ... er%20Tools

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Thanks Todd.

Here is Martin's listing for the Groberts. Tell me do you folks use these with a handle or no?

I use them without handles. IMO it would be difficult to use the really fine ones (like .010) with a handle without bending or breaking them, assuming you could find one to fit. Also, if you use a little candle wax on the cutting edges they cut smoother, again, especially the smaller sizes. The nut is such a critical part of the way a guitar plays as well as how it feels and tunes. A bad one will cause so many problems. Buy good nut files. Don't skimp. You'll be glad you did. As far as sizes go, and to address the OP's follow up question, I use a size or two up from what the string gauge is. For example, on a .012 or .013 gauge string, I typically use a .016 file.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Thanks Mike!

I did some research because I want to try these Groberts. They are not easy to find in the sizes that I use or one or two sizes up.

LMI is seemingly discontinuing them and saying that skyrocketing prices is the reason.

Here is what I am finding:

I Need 12, 16, 24, 32, 42, 53

Martin has many sizes but as for what I want they only have 16, a 25 that would work for the 24, and a 32.

Does anyone else carry these?

Google for "grobet round edge joint files".

Hesh, David Collins has cut a lot more nut slots than I have, and he's your neighbor, so I'd get his advice. But if I were to put in my 2 cents, I'd say you should be fine with a set of the Grobet files Martin carries. For your list of string gauges, I'd use the following file gauges:

12 - .016
16 - .020
24 - .028
32 - .035
42 - .047
53 - .058

If you file carefully, I don't think you'll find any of those slots to be too wide.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Thanks Todd. I think that you are correct because with the files that I have now, same concept but Stew-Mac files, when I use the exact same size as the strings I do get binding. What I have been doing to get a smoother fit is floss the slot with a segment of the same strings that I will be using and of course in the same gage as the slot is intended for...... It would be nice not to have to do this extra step. There is also the risk when flossing of dropping the leading edge of the slot too.

There is nothing like having the right tools for the job.

I own a set of Norman files....great idea but do not hold up. Mine are dull after several nuts and almost worthless once they loose their edge.

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Brad
Avon, OH

Hesh,

Dick tools in Germany carry the Grobet files. Their section of tools for musical instruments is of much higher quality than commonly available in the states.

Best,

Tony

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well, this is what i ended up ordering. i bought six files in various sizes that i thought would best accommodate my needs. well see how things go. thanks for everyones advice.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddl ... Files.html

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sweat the small stuff.

Those should serve you well for a long time.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Good choice - it's an investment you'll always be glad to have made.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

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I finished setting up my first guitar with Al Carruth yesterday. I had to stop playing today to clean up the blood (from playing, not setting up!). LOL..

What he does is use a set of feeler guages, and files an inch or so of tiny teeth on them with a v-shaped diamond file, then uses the feeler gauge as a saw. Just used the gauge that matched the string, and sawed away. Then a bit of wet string dipped in rottenstone shoeshined through the slot to smooth out the bottom. Worked like a charm, is almost free, and you can cover every string width.

Maybe everybody knows this, but I thought it was slick.

Steve

I finished setting up my first guitar with Al Carruth yesterday. I had to stop playing today to clean up the blood (from playing, not setting up!). LOL..

What he does is use a set of feeler guages, and files an inch or so of tiny teeth on them with a v-shaped diamond file, then uses the feeler gauge as a saw. Just used the gauge that matched the string, and sawed away. Then a bit of wet string dipped in rottenstone shoeshined through the slot to smooth out the bottom. Worked like a charm, is almost free, and you can cover every string width.

Maybe everybody knows this, but I thought it was slick.

Steve

Does anyone know who the manufacturer of those Stewmac files is? (The ones linked to above, not the other Stewmac ones with different gauges on each edge.) Thanks.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/