Nut Shim Material?

[Zooberwerx]

Here's the deal: The brass nut on my David King headless 5 came with a non-descript black plastic shim. The nut slots were cut a bit too deeply so we compensated by adding thin strips of beer can aluminum between the nut and plastic shim. The repair works well but lacks cosmetically-speaking. Ralf Patterson sent some wenge and purpleheart samples but by the time I carve them to size (1/16" X 1/8" X 1 3/4") I'm afraid they'll be too unstable for practical use as shims. Ideally, I'd like to find some brass stock in the desired thickness (1/16") and shape to size.

What's your take on this situation? And if you haven't guessed, this is a thinly veiled search for shim material.

Thanks

Riis

[wilser]

you can get brass shim stock at places like mcmaster-carr or other industrial supply houses. It's not difficult to find at a local machine shop either. They are usually in the few thousands of an inch range.

[Greenman]

Another place might be a trophy shop or a gunsmith uses brass shim stock for gun sights.

[scottice]

I shim my nuts with cotton.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[mollin man]

if it's a consistant size you're looking for, why not use an old thickness gauge? they have the exact thickness right on the buggers.

[jonas_oxide]

I have had great sucess using bloodwood, but all of these suggestions sound like perfect examples of ingenuity to me. Actually... I should say most...

[Bryan316]

Hobby shops that deal with models, RC cars and planes, model rockets, trains that kinda stuff.... look for thin brass bars there. Usually 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 wide, multiple thicknesses, about 6" long.

[Jimbob Jones]

you can make a shim from any kind of dowelling or blank from a hardware store, because it should be "quarter sawn" therefore it wont disintegrate if you shave it very thin, its also easy to work with, just use a small plane or very sharp chisel. Once in place, just use a felt tip or magic marker to colour it the same colour as your nut or finish.

[needmoney]

I made mine out of a standard business card. Cut up 3 identical pieces the exact size of the nut slot, glued them together (tedious), and then spray painted it black. Works perfectly!

[beejomatic]

I like Wilser's pitch for brass shim stock.It won't compress like a business card or really thin wood stock. Plus, brass comes in different specific thicknesses, so you could really fine-tune the adjustment of the nut; and since your nut is brass there would be no change in the dynamics of the vibrating string as it is transferred to the neck.
Mollin Man's idea of using feeler gauge is intriguing, but boy, those little boogers are really hard to cut to size!
All in all, a great bunch of suggestions...

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by beejomatic

I like Wilser's pitch for brass shim stock.It won't compress like a business card or really thin wood stock. Plus, brass comes in different specific thicknesses, so you could really fine-tune the adjustment of the nut; and since your nut is brass there would be no change in the dynamics of the vibrating string as it is transferred to the neck.
Mollin Man's idea of using feeler gauge is intriguing, but boy, those little boogers are really hard to cut to size!
All in all, a great bunch of suggestions...

Yeah, I think I'll stick with the brass. Even the beer can aluminum is more stable than wood or cardboard. David King has some 1/20" stock that he's sending. I'll also check the local hobby and gun shops...all great suggestions!

One more thing. Its amazing what you can accomplish with patience, a well-stocked junk drawer, a handful of exacto files, and a Dremel tool!

Riis

[PilbaraBass]

use a beer can...use Budweiser or Miller...that way it's not a foreign part

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

use a beer can...use Budweiser or Miller...that way it's not a foreign part

I used a Genesee Cream Ale can (Rochester, New York). When I was in Perth and Exmouth (NW Cape), we used to buy Emu Export (Swan Brewery). I swear we used to go through a case of piss on a daily basis. Still have my collection of stubby holders.

Riis

[Musiclogic]

you can also get thin brass at Home Depot or lowe's in strips or plate stock from 1/32 to 1/4 thick

[pilotjones]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

I used a Genesee Cream Ale can (Rochester, New York). ...

Ahah! Genny Screamers are finally doing some good in the world!

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

you can also get thin brass at Home Depot or lowe's in strips or plate stock from 1/32 to 1/4 thick

I did not know that (a la Johnny Carson)!

Riis