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Wider than normal nut blanks
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=53271		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  bcombs510 [ Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Wider than normal nut blanks
Hello,

Working on a new guitar build and had an issue with the headplate where it wasn't quite cut square, it was leaning forward a bit. I had to clean it up to straighten up the channel and as a result it's now a little over sized. The typical 6.35mm "Martin" blank that SM sells is now too small. I would need a blank closer to 7mm.

Anyone know a supplier that sells oversized blanks? I sort of entertained the idea of making one, people talk about dog bones, etc... but I want to try to find a bleached blank from a supplier first. :)

Ideas are appreciated.

Thanks!
Brad
Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
Luthiers Mercantile has 5/16" wide. https://www.lmii.com/37-nuts-saddles
Author:  bcombs510 [ Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
Thanks! I looked on their site and for whatever reason didn't see them. Appreciate the pointer.
Author:  dofthesea [ Thu Jun 04, 2020 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
I bet if you emailed any of the main suppliers they'll have what you need. LMI, Allied, RC, Stew Mac
Author:  Hesh [ Sat Jun 06, 2020 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
That's hard to find so we process our own for the oversized stuff. You know go to the butcher, get femurs from free ranging cows that do yoga, chain bones in back yard for two years and let the bugs eat all the crap off them and then degrease and clean up and cut up. Not quick, planning is required.
Author:  Colin North [ Sat Jun 06, 2020 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
I've bought large ones through ebay (china/taiwan), but they looked greasy so I've degreased with napths.
Author:  Clay S. [ Sat Jun 06, 2020 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
Hesh wrote:
That's hard to find so we process our own for the oversized stuff. You know go to the butcher, get femurs from free ranging cows that do yoga, chain bones in back yard for two years and let the bugs eat all the crap off them and then degrease and clean up and cut up. Not quick, planning is required.


I bought some nut and saddle material off eBay a few years back. It was out in the weather and the mud a bit longer (maybe 25000 yrs)
so it's ready to use. bliss
Author:  Hesh [ Sun Jun 07, 2020 4:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
Clay S. wrote:
Hesh wrote:
That's hard to find so we process our own for the oversized stuff. You know go to the butcher, get femurs from free ranging cows that do yoga, chain bones in back yard for two years and let the bugs eat all the crap off them and then degrease and clean up and cut up. Not quick, planning is required.


I bought some nut and saddle material off eBay a few years back. It was out in the weather and the mud a bit longer (maybe 25000 yrs)
so it's ready to use. bliss


Did that mammoth free range and do yoga?
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Jun 07, 2020 6:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
Hesh wrote:
Clay S. wrote:
Hesh wrote:
That's hard to find so we process our own for the oversized stuff. You know go to the butcher, get femurs from free ranging cows that do yoga, chain bones in back yard for two years and let the bugs eat all the crap off them and then degrease and clean up and cut up. Not quick, planning is required.


I bought some nut and saddle material off eBay a few years back. It was out in the weather and the mud a bit longer (maybe 25000 yrs)
so it's ready to use. bliss


Did that mammoth free range and do yoga?


Free range definitely, but i'm not sure yoga was part of the Pleisto "Scene".
Author:  Chris Pile [ Sun Jun 07, 2020 8:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
Sheesh! (slaps forehead)
Author:  jfmckenna [ Sun Jun 07, 2020 10:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
You could get creative and shim it and make it look intentional too.
Author:  phavriluk [ Sun Jun 07, 2020 11:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
+1 on Mr. Mckenna's response. Make a shim for the backside. Piece of credit card?
Author:  Colin North [ Mon Jun 08, 2020 5:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
If you're going to use a shim, I've used a wood veneer under and behind the nut, in the wood used fot the fretboard, to good effect.
Looks tidy.
Author:  jfmckenna [ Mon Jun 08, 2020 8:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
I have tried to match the grain of the head plate veneer and it looked terrible so what I did was make a binding around the heads stock that went being the nut and it looked totally intentional. I like the Idea of making it look like the fretbaord too. That in fact is a lot easier to do and looks natural, like a Fender anyway. Point being, trying to hide it is a lot harder then making it intentional.
Author:  doncaparker [ Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
You can laminate bone, right? How about using some saddle blanks stacked to the right height, with the glue layers horizontal rather than vertical? You would need to plan it such that you don't sand through the top layer in spots. That would not look good.
Author:  Clay S. [ Mon Jun 08, 2020 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
You could perhaps do a small decorative inlay between the nut and peghead veneer. Match the material of the position markers or the peghead logo if you are doing one. Some people like ebony or African blackwood for nuts. I've used corian of various colors, and then there is Richlite.
Following up on Don's idea you could shim with the same material as the fretboard and then slope the back of the nut/shim so there is a smooth transition from wood to bone.

Random eBay add: 1 11/16 X 3/8 X 5/16 ths

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-NEW-BLANK-BO ... Sw~bFWQnb4
Author:  phavriluk [ Mon Jun 08, 2020 7:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
First, make it work. Then make it pretty.
Author:  Dave Baley [ Tue Jun 09, 2020 2:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
Bob Colosi at customsaddles.com. Email or call him. I am pretty sure he will sell you what you need.
Dave
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Tue Jun 09, 2020 3:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wider than normal nut blanks
Brad, for this very reason, I keep a slightly undersized nut in my small toolbox that is perfectly square. I use it for setting the peghead plate. Never fails me. Its marked "tool only". I know this does not solve current issue. But it will solve future ones.
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