How to file nut area flat?

[CptanPanic]

I am trying to square up the area under my nut in order to install, and using a file I am getting a slight roundness to the area (higher in middle). Is there a better way to do this than using a file?
Thanks,
CP

 

[jworrellbass]

A thin piece of wood wrapped with sandpaper.

 

[mikeyswood]

Sounds like your technique is a bit off. Use the sandpaper/file with light and gentle strokes. Make sure that you pull straight across. Any bit of rock in your motion will cause an arc.

 

[mongo2]

Fender style nuts are curved on the bottom and the slot the nut fits in is curved to match. Could you have one like that? (Warmoth too)

If so, I wouldn't flatten it.

 

[ByF]

You could buy a nut seating file from StewMac:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Nuts_and_saddles/Nut_Seating_File.html

Ed

 

[Rodent]

you need to make a determination here:

1) is this a radiused bottom nut slot? Fender and others use a radiused slot. for this case the bottom of the nut is radiused to match the slot radius. a nut blank can be purchased that has this radius pre-cut or you can scribe and file the radius on a flat bottom nut blank

2) is this a flat bottomed nut slot? if so, a nut slot file like StewMac sells works great to clean the slot - but you must practice your cleaning technique so that you don't rock the file while cleaning. rocking the file has the potential to create a slot with a hump in the middle

all the best,

R

 

[PasdaBeer]

odd, Ive never had a problem using a rifle makers file ( just a small flat file )

Ive also used a dremel with a 1/4 and 1/8 router bits...but that was while it was still flat.

 

[Mikey R]

How about a thin chisel?