Official Luthiers Forum!

A repairman friend recently loaned me a set of nut files & they have simplified the process so much, I've decided to buy a set. I'll have to give the loaners back soon, and I'm looking for recommendations of which ones to buy.
Anyone got a suggestion?
Thanks,   Daniel

I REALLY like the set that Stewmac sells.



Nut Files

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Those are nice but Allied sells the three file set (two sizes to each file)and I like them even more... they are tapered...I don't know...I just keep grabbing for them ... I have both...





Dave-SKG38709.6569097222

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

ABout how much does allied set go for and where can I get them?

Thx

Dennis

Dennis, at the top of the page is a list of the OLF sponsors, you can click on the Allied Lutherie link and it will take you to the site. I also have the Allied set (made by ibanez) and I like the tappered end (I havn't used any other set mind you) and the price is $70 but the site says they are out of stock.Rod True38709.7072685185

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

I have the stew mac set shown above but they cut a tapered slot at least on the smaller ones and I have have trouble with strings binding in them. I have the individualy sized files from stew mac and i much prefer them because they cut a nice round bottom slot..

_________________
Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I have the Ibanez set from LMI. I have no complaints.


Ibanez files at LMI

Small tip (probably teaching grandma to suck eggs) but after the nut files, to slightly undersize the slot, I use an old piece of the right sized guitar string, held in a jewellers saw, with grinding compound on it to smooth and fit the string to the slot. Gives a nice round bottom (am I allowed to say that Lance?) and ensures a nice smooth correct fit. Sweet as a nut!

Colin

_________________
I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks Guys. I really appreciate your input.
Colin... do you use the waterborne valve lapping compound?
Best wishes to all for a peaceful & fulfilling holiday season.
Dan'l

The Stew Mac files Lance posted are good, but they thinnest one cracks
very easy, and seems pretty inconsistant from file to file. Some of them
I've used have had no detectable difference between the .012" and .016"
sides. I've gone through three sets and a few individual replacements in
the last four years because they dull rather quickly. This last set will
probably be the last one I invest in. I use to use the Ibanez files that Dave
posted and I liked them much better. They were unavailable for quite a
while, but were reintroduced a few years ago.

I prefer the joint round edge files like Hesh posted, but the ones that Stew
Mac now carries don't seem nearly as good as the Grobet files they used
to sell. I believe Luthiers Merc and Allied Lutherie still sell the Grobets.
These are certainly my favorites, but unfortunately this style of file is a
larger overall investment if you want a full set.

I've used them all at some point or another, and I guess my suggestion
for you would be the Ibanez combination files. I haven't tried them since
they came back on the market, but judging by Dave's photos they look
identical to the old ones in every little detail.

_________________
Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.