Official Luthiers Forum!

I bought some 'look-alike' files from Warmoth- both the double-edged, colored plastic handle type, and the single width type with the thickness stamped on the metal in black ink. I'm not sure if the quality is the same as the ones from Ibanez or the luthier suppliers, but the price was quite a bit better.

I certainly agree that the very thin files are quite flexible; I can't imagine that the ones I have are very hard or brittle. However, if you ever broke one you would probably get a nasty injury. I've been using the plastic-handled ones on the few nuts I've made recently- they seem to work OK, but I have no idea about their longevity.

Cheers
John

For those of you that have Grobets, which type do you have??
Thanks

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Nevermind. I found the link

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Thanks guys,
you sure covered all the bases I needed!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

What about the single use file that Cumpliano recommends? Or is it just less of a pain to get a set?

Talking about the nut files made me wander over to look at the stew-mac files. They have a variety of sizes. Since I do not have any experience cutting out my own nuts, my question is, do you use a file with same width as the string or the next larger size? It is obvious that you would not use a smaller size than the string you intend to use... unless your just weird.
There are not exact files sizes for all of the string sizes listed in the chart below.

Set       Gauge         1    2    3    4    5    6  
MSP-4050  Custom Light .011 .015 .023 .032 .042 .052
MSP-4100  Light        .012 .016 .025 .032 .042 .054
MSP-4200  Medium       .013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056
MSP-4250  Bluegrass    .013 .017 .026 .036 .046 .056

S-M files sizes:
0.010" width 	
0.013" width
0.016" width
0.020" width
0.024" width
0.028" width
0.032" width
0.035" width
0.042" width
0.046" width
0.050" width
0.056" width

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Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Generally the next larger size, within reason. For example, I would use
the .028" file for a .026" G slot. However on a .036" D string, I would
more likely use the .035" file than a .042", cutting with a slight side to
side rock as to cut a slot wider than the file. I would do the same for a .
035" D string as well, as the slot should not necessarily be the exact
size of the string.

Of course this can also vary depending on shape of the files you're using
and material you're cutting in. Never trust the size on the label to be the
actual size of the cut, or even the exact same size on both sides or along
the length if you're holding to within .0005" tolerances. This is why I
relabel all my files based on measuring test cut slots with feeler gauges.
A .035" file may also cut a .035" slot (with a steady consistent stroke) in
bone, yet cut closer to a .034" slot in Delrin as the material can compress
ever so slightly and let the edges of the file slip by without cutting.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

To add to the above, I may decide to use a .056" for a .052" E string, if I was
comfortable with the actual round shape of the bottom, and with
consideration that the particular instrument could end up with mediums on
it at some point. If I though my .056" file was a bit too flat on the bottom, I
may decide to use a .050" file with a side to side rock. There are no hard
rules. The goal is just to cut the slot wide enough to not pinch, but narrow
enough and with a proper rounded bottom so that the string does not
sloppily slip side to side.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

I ended up combining a couple different sets of files to get a good selection of gauges. The StewMac double set with some single gauge files from LMI and Allparts. I remove as much material from the top of nut as possible before cutting the slots. Saves time, wear on the files, and improves the accuracy of my slot locations.

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Tom Krebs

I have the Hiroshima Ibanez files from Allied as well. I couldn't be more pleased with them; it was probably the best $85 I've ever spent on a tool.

[QUOTE=peterm]Its time to get a new set of nut files because one of the files is not cutting properly( never did really!)
So, I would like to know what you guys are using and your opinions regarding quality.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

Iuse the Ibanez set that Erlewine speaks of. They are obtainable ( or used to be) from Allied. only three files 6 sizes but are graduated...you could use for any instrument.

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Dave Bland

remember...

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