Filing slots for a BADASS?

[WarriorJoe7]

OK so I need to drill some holes through the pretty thick metal plate and then do 8 slots for the strings.

I also thought about string through-ing the octave strings.

I think I can get the distance between strings from looking at my Brice 8... But what kind of files do I use to make the slots? And what kind of drill bits so I need to go through the bridge metal?

Thanks,
Joe

[ibnzneksrul]

I used a small triangle file to notch the saddles when I did mine.

[202dy]

If I read this right, the OP wishes to drill out the plate to accommodate stringing through the body. Those holes can be drilled with a high speed steel twist drill with no problem.

Nut files are key for saddle slots. If you don't have nut files, then a small round needle file will do the job. Half the diameter of the string is the proper depth. Then you can polish the bottom of the slot with some 600 grit wrapped around the shaft of a drill bit that is ~.020 smaller than the groove.

[WarriorJoe7]

Well I have an unslotted Badass and it has 4 string holes.

Since it is unslotted I want to make 8 slots for an 8 string. I also have to add 4 more string holes (which is why I inquired about the drilling.)

I thought nut filkes might work however nut files are usually used on plastic, bone, wood, graphite etc, and bridge saddles are made of metal. So are nut files suitable for filing grooves in metal bridge saddles? Someone please confirm.

Thanks, Joe