Digital 3D printer Nuts

[skidmarkbass]

Has anyone printed a bass nut on a digital 3D printer and used it?

 

[lowfreqgeek]

It would be doable, but very soft plastic.

I have a lot of experience with 3-D printed parts (building a 3-D printer for a specific application right now...), and it's not something I'd consider a viable long-term option for a bass nut.

 

[AciDBatH666]

I'd use one to make my own nut, but make a negative and then see about using that to make a mold of whatever other material I'd want to make it out of.

 

[skidmarkbass]

Great idea on the negative

 

[elBandito]

No benefit over molded nuts. Nuts have to be slotted by hand regardless. Neck curve and fret heights aren't consistent enough to predict perfect nut slots.

 

[sissy kathy]

It would be doable, but very soft plastic.

I have a lot of experience with 3-D printed parts (building a 3-D printer for a specific application right now...), and it's not something I'd consider a viable long-term option for a bass nut.

I understand that printers that will print with metal are either in development or are already available. Would a nut made that way be any better?

 

[AciDBatH666]

No benefit over molded nuts. Nuts have to be slotted by hand regardless. Neck curve and fret heights aren't consistent enough to predict perfect nut slots.

The reason I suggested a negative was because if the material the printer uses isn't suitable for a nut you could just create the mold and use whatever material you wanted.

 

[elBandito]

Seems like a lot of effort for no real benefit, when there are cheaper alternatives already available. It would be nearly impossible to have a pre-molded nut with perfect slot heights, which was the whole point to begin with.

The reason I suggested a negative was because if the material the printer uses isn't suitable for a nut you could just create the mold and use whatever material you wanted.

 

[AciDBatH666]

Seems like a lot of effort for no real benefit, when there are cheaper alternatives already available. It would be nearly impossible to have a pre-molded nut with perfect slot heights, which was the whole point to begin with.

Well I use alternate tunings and the nuts I get don't always have to have something adjusted on them to work. I usually always have to do a lot of tweaking to the bridge string heights and a lot of truss rod tweaking. The nut height is always something I have to mess with. And it's not as simple as just shimming it. I always have to adjust the lower strings more or less than the higher ones.

Plus making it yourself is just part of the creative process. Some people have the means to do it. Others should stick to off the shelf items.

 

[Inertialsky]

You can 3D print an entire guitar but they still use a "real" non-printed nut...

Link Removed

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Here's a cool video showing a little bit about how a metal 3D printer works. Much like traditional plastic printers, but with high-power lasers and metal powder. IMO, not a hobbiest endeavor, though a system could be built up in your garage with enough know-how.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I understand that printers that will print with metal are either in development or are already available. Would a nut made that way be any better?

See the post I just made. Perhaps a viable option in terms of function, but probably not cost at the present time.