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Heres some cheap nut files that actually work very well

#21
Gilmourisgod said:
Thanks for posting this, I'm always looking for ways to make an expensive hobby a little cheaper. I've gotten pretty good at re-purposing tools that work perfectly well at half the cost. Just adding the word "Luthier" to the name of a tool tends to double the price. For instance I recently noticed that the 'Gunsmith Hammer" in a small Lyman gun tool set I have is virtually identical to some of the expensive "Fret Hammers" for sale online with removable hammer faces in brass and delrin. I think I paid less for the whole Lyman set than a single Stewmac "Fret Hammer". Stewmac has a nasty little habit of advertising their products on Amazon as "Free Shipping", but all they do is take the catalog price (which does not include standard $11.00 shipping fee) and add that $11.00 to the Amazon price so.... no Free Shipping. Why engage in such transparent BS? That flat rate $11 shipping (might be more now) applies regardless of the weight or size of the package, so thats what you'll pay for a couple screws or a 5 lb tool. The quality of their tools is excellent, no argument there, but most of what they sell can be had for far less elsewhere if you are willing to search the web. They are usually my source of last resort, and only when I need something that simply can't be had elsewhere. One thing about the Stewmac files: they quickly clog on brass nuts, you have to file card them evey couple of strokes. Did you find that with the diamond files? I've heard of tricks like applying talcum powder as a lubricant of sorts, haven't tried it.
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No problems at all, its my pleasure.
Putting luthier in the name of a product certainly doesn't justify its cost.
Nowadays, BS/Spin generates profit instead of a products quality and reliability.
RE: The files clogging up...these files seem to be quite good at ejecting material from the slot as you cut, reducing build up. When they do clog up a bit, a quick, hard blow and you're good to go again.
The build up happened quicker with the brass nut but it wasn't excessive and cleaning was only necessary approx' every 8 to 10 strokes.
I've never used lubricants before, i didn't know that was a thing to be honest.
 
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#22
Thank your for this info. I am going to order a set of: .1.2mm, maybe 1.5mm (as I plan to go with pressurewounds for one of the basses that are 040, 054, 076, 096)?,
1.7mm, 2.2mm & 2.8mm.

I am having problems on couple of my basses with nut probably being cut bit high. I have perfectly setup intonation but third frets are almost consistently 5-10cents sharp no matter how gently i press the string down. OTOH one of my bass (which has the lowest string clearance at the first fret, 0.004 (or 0.10mm while pressing on third fret) plays beautifully in tune at those frets. Am I safe to assume that .003-.004 is the right clearance I should aim for?
Could it happen for any other reason that I should know of? I'm still within my 30 days return period on the newest one but that will pass while I wait for the files. I am pretty assured it has to do with nut height though as my oldest bass has the largest clearance there and it's showing worst symptoms: often 10-15 cents sharp on those frets even with perfectly setup intonation.
 
#23
A high nut will absolutely cause those symptoms (in-tune open strings, sharp when fretted).

I have always set up my instruments (guitars, mandolins, basses) thus:
- FIRST set relief to your preference.
- SECOND set 12th fret action w/ the saddles to your preference
- capo at first fret, right on top of the fret so the string is not bent
- with feeler gauges measure the distance between the string and second fret. This is usually in the neighborhood of 0.005 but varies a bit.
- take off the capo and measure the distance between the string and first fret. "Normally" 0.015ish, could be way more.
- cut nut slots to a couple-few thousandths higher (so maybe 0.007-0.008 in this hypothetical case).

That will get your open strings and third frets in tune, and will feel great as well.
 
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#24
Moredator said:
Thank your for this info. I am going to order a set of: .1.2mm, maybe 1.5mm (as I plan to go with pressurewounds for one of the basses that are 040, 054, 076, 096)?,
1.7mm, 2.2mm & 2.8mm.

I am having problems on couple of my basses with nut probably being cut bit high. I have perfectly setup intonation but third frets are almost consistently 5-10cents sharp no matter how gently i press the string down. OTOH one of my bass (which has the lowest string clearance at the first fret, 0.004 (or 0.10mm while pressing on third fret) plays beautifully in tune at those frets. Am I safe to assume that .003-.004 is the right clearance I should aim for?
Could it happen for any other reason that I should know of? I'm still within my 30 days return period on the newest one but that will pass while I wait for the files. I am pretty assured it has to do with nut height though as my oldest bass has the largest clearance there and it's showing worst symptoms: often 10-15 cents sharp on those frets even with perfectly setup intonation.
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My pleasure Moredator,
the file sizes you mentioned 1.2 (1.5), 1.7, 2.2 and 2.8mm cut accurate slots for a medium/light set of strings...45, 65, 85 &105.
They will still work for the string guage you want to use but they may be slightly wider by a few thousands of an inch...not enough to cause a problem though.
Im sure that you'll find he files to be very good, they do a nice, tidy, accurate job.
Cheers
 
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#25
Also, it's my understanding that you should have approx' 0.022" gap between the string and first fret...it will be more comfortable to play (less fretting pressure needed), especially around the first couple of frets.
 
#29
Moredator said:
Does anyone know if these can be used to cut guitar nuts? for 9-42 strings. Exact file size information would be good.

Worked wonders on bass btw! <3
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The smallest file is 1.2mm....they don't make them small enough for 6 string.
Good to hear that the files served you well with your bass.
Buy these and you'll only save yourself a couple of hundred dollars : )
I'll never use anything else...and they do brass nuts beautifully too
Win win
 
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