Nut Slot files... which to buy?

[Grangur]

Hi there,
I'm beginning to convince myself to bite the bullet and buy "the real thing" to cut the nut slots deeper.

Which would you buy out of the 2?
Or would you just take it to a luthier to get it done, after all how often do you have to do it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AxeMasters-Guitar-NUT-SLOT-FILE-SET-KIT-for-BASS-Saw-Rods-Luthier-Tool-/350585724150?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item51a0899cf6

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HOSCO-Nut-Slotting-Files-Bass-Guitar-/151271227451?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item233877c03b

[stoo]

I seem to manage OK with a cheapo (had em ages and can't remember, but probably less than £5) set of needle files and a bit of patience.

Would be more tempted to buy appropriate gauge files for doing guitar nuts, but on a bass I've always found it easy enough to just use a round profile file with a gentle taper down to a point on it - just work out how wide a hole you need, and don't use any of the file that's fatter than that bit!

I'd need to be doing a lot of 'em to justify that £65 set......

[SubsonicSimpleton]

Couple of other low budget options;

Lowering the overall height of the nut by sanding down the underside using a bit of wet&dry stuck onto a flat surface rather than trying to cut the slots deeper will also work if the mounting surface of the nut is flat - as long as the nut slots were originally cut to the same radius as the fingerboard they shouldn't need individual adjustment, but be sure to check clearance on all strings as you progress, so you don't end up lowering one side too far by mistake if the pressure on the nut isn't even(or if it was off to begin with).

You can also use valve grinding paste and an old roundwound string of the correct size to finesse the slots - stretching the string down the side of a bit of wood to make it controllable.

[hamfist]

THese ......

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171246003258?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

work well for me, with a bit of care, and finishing off each slot with a roundwound string of the right size (which will finish off the slot to the perfect shape). The sets of these nozzle cleaners are variable though. I bought two (supposedly) identical ones. One set had good cutting edges, the other set were almost smooth (and pretty useless for nut cutting). But at £1.75 each it's not a huge investment.

[Pete1967]

I have the Hosco ones. They're the real deal and cut a straight sided slot and won't wander. It probably due to my lack of skill that i didn't really get good results with needle files, but these just work.

[gjones]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1396955294' post='2419021']
Hi there,
I'm beginning to convince myself to bite the bullet and buy "the real thing" to cut the nut slots deeper.

Which would you buy out of the 2?
Or would you just take it to a luthier to get it done, after all how often do you have to do it?

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AxeMasters-Guitar-NUT-SLOT-FILE-SET-KIT-for-BASS-Saw-Rods-Luthier-Tool-/350585724150?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item51a0899cf6"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item51a0899cf6[/url]

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HOSCO-Nut-Slotting-Files-Bass-Guitar-/151271227451?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item233877c03b"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item233877c03b[/url]
[/quote]

I've used needle files on my nut but it's a bit hit and miss. If you do buy the proper files I'm sure you'll be able to do a decent job with much less hassle.

Edited April 9, 2014 by gjones

[KiOgon]

I use these Stewmac ones [url="http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/Gauged_Nut_Slotting_Files_for_Bass.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=7332"]http://www.stewmac.c...&xst=3&xsr=7332[/url] which are perfect for the job. The Hosco ones are also excellent, the bow saw type [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AxeMasters-Guitar-NUT-SLOT-FILE-SET-KIT-for-BASS-Saw-Rods-Luthier-Tool-/350585724150?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item51a0899cf6"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item51a0899cf6[/url] is not good for doing nuts in situ due to the extra bits that hold the blade in, they get in the way. If you have your nut blank in a vice they're fine. The welding tip cleaners are OK for the smaller gauge strings but they don't go big enough.

Edited April 9, 2014 by KiOgon

[skej21]

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1397059174' post='2420259']
I use these Stewmac ones [url="http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/Gauged_Nut_Slotting_Files_for_Bass.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=7332"]http://www.stewmac.c...&xst=3&xsr=7332[/url] which are perfect for the job. The Hosco ones are also excellent, the bow saw type [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AxeMasters-Guitar-NUT-SLOT-FILE-SET-KIT-for-BASS-Saw-Rods-Luthier-Tool-/350585724150?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item51a0899cf6"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item51a0899cf6[/url] is not good for doing nuts in situ due to the extra bits that hold the blade in, they get in the way. If you have your nut blank in a vice they're fine. The welding tip cleaners are OK for the smaller gauge strings but they don't go big enough.
[/quote]

What do you use for the .045 string? I noticed there isn't a file for it in the bass section or guitar section. I know the Hosco are double sided. Are the Stew mac ones double sided too?

Edited April 9, 2014 by skej21

[KiOgon]

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1397065595' post='2420342']
What do you use for the .045 string? I noticed there isn't a file for it in the bass section or guitar section. I know the Hosco are double sided. Are the Stew mac ones double sided too?
[/quote]
Yes I noticed there were only 3 sizes listed on that page, but they do or did do .045 + many smaller, must be another list somewhere. Not double like the Hosco, the ones I have are single size.

[skej21]

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1397066210' post='2420349']

Yes I noticed there were only 3 sizes listed on that page, but they do or did do .045 + many smaller, must be another list somewhere. Not double like the Hosco, the ones I have are single size.
[/quote]

Ah nice one :-) thanks!

[franzbassist]

I use the Hoscos and they are very good.

[Grangur]

Hi again all, I've been travelling about for work and not been able to be online much. Thanks for all the responses. It's interesting to read everyones' improvises and experiences.

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1396977902' post='2419408']
THese ......

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171246003258?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649"]http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1439.l2649[/url]

work well for me, with a bit of care, and finishing off each slot with a roundwound string of the right size (which will finish off the slot to the perfect shape). The sets of these nozzle cleaners are variable though. I bought two (supposedly) identical ones. One set had good cutting edges, the other set were almost smooth (and pretty useless for nut cutting). But at £1.75 each it's not a huge investment.
[/quote]
I tried some of these and mine are useless. Maybe I'll try [s]getting another set[/s] buying another ticket in the raffle.

So far I've been using a hacksaw blade, needle files, a Dremel, wet n dry paper, and set of rough round-wound strings. All have been effective to some degree. On the bass I've been working on recently I think I've just got there now with the needle files.

The Stewmac files are good, for the fact you can buy the sizes you need. This could be good if you string something other than E-G. I think I may go for the Hosco ones though when I need some again - no import costs. Thanks again.