Cheap nut slotting files?

eru

I can't believe how ridiculously expensive files designed for slotting guitar nuts are. Surely the same type of files must be used for some other purpose and most probably be cheaper when not sold specifically as a tool for luthiers. Does anyone know the generic name for this kind of file?

ThePrettyDamned

I think they're expensive because they're very precisely made, sharp and hard - sort of like high end knives.

However, I'm following because I'd like a set! 

BillDL

I agree.  I've been looking at the Hosco ones and they are expensive, but I have also been looking for something more generic that does a good job for a very long time and have yet to find anything suitable.

The two-sided (each side for a different gauge string slot) Hosco ones have coloured plastic handles.  The general appearance has been copied in much cheaper tools being sold on eBay and Amazon with coloured plastic handles, but they are absolutely terrible and are really just generic files made from quite soft metal.  Read the reviews and do not be tempted.

Loads of people recommend welding torch nozzle cleaning files.  They are just rough rat-tail rasps with a spiral cut that are very hard to hold and cut a straight groove and not fine enough to create a smooth round bottomed slot.  Some sellers actually describe them as nut slot files, but they will not do a satisfactory job even with practice and perseverance.  At least this seller specifically mentions that they are for "rounding off grooves" rather than cutting them:

https://chguitars.co.uk/product/to41-guitar-nut-bridge-files-for-rounding-off-grooves/

but they will leave a rough bottom and you will most likely waver around and file the slots too wide.  I can't think of any emergency situation that would benefit a musician or guitar tech carrying one of these sets in a kit bag, apart from maybe filling a slot for one of the thicker strings with superglue and baking soda and quickly creating a new slot, but that would be best left for an absolutely dire emergency.

https://hazeguitars.com/blog/tough-love-nut-file-recommendations

https://hazeguitars.com/blog/cheap-alternative-to-guitar-nut-files

You might be able to find some very small diameter round tapered needle files, but at best you could only file the low E and A string nut slots with them.  They are tapered as well, and you don't want a tapered slot on the nut except for certain headstocks where it is beneficial to widen the string exit point as it goes to the tuning machine post to lessen the binding effect.  Other shapes of file needle files usually won't allow you to make a round bottomed groove.

I have used feeler gauges with a small piece of fine wet and dry sandpaper wrapped around and held in place while filing, but it's laborious work and very hard to ensure you are filing a nice fallaway angle at the headstock side and a clean breakover point at the fingerboard side.  I have flattened the set from junior hacksaw blades and carefully dulled the blade to try and force it to create round bottomed slots, but again it is very difficult to be accurate and consistent and this only works on the slots for the thicker strings.

I have come to the conclusion that you need to pay the money for the right tool or risk messing it up.  New nuts aren't expensive, but removing a messed up to put in a new one carries the risk of chipping lacquer and/or wood.

lustycourtier

Welding nozzle cleaners. 

FelineGuitars

The hosco v shape profile ones are the best in my opinion.
Specialist tooling costs money!

paulnb57

FelineGuitars said:

The hosco v shape profile ones are the best in my opinion.
Specialist tooling costs money!

This, just bite the bullet and get a set

lustycourtier said:

Welding nozzle cleaners. 

Epic fail, utterly useless

longjaw

Welding nozzle cleaners have worked for me in the past for widening slots for the E,B and G strings that are already in the nut.

tanihhiavlt

I recall Dan Erlweine uses roundwood strings for filing some nut slots.

I bought StewMac files a long time ago and the work fine. For the thinner strings I bought gauged nut saws.

You want to be able to control the amount of material removed and add a contour to reduce the binding on the neck. 

All this on very small piece of material

thermionic

£100 or so for a very specific tool doesn’t seem expensive to me. If you only need nut slots cut/adjusted once every 3-4 years, spend the £70 on an experienced tech who has the right tools to do it.

Bod

FelineGuitars said:

The hosco v shape profile ones are the best in my opinion.
Specialist tooling costs money!

100%.  I've tried to manage with all sorts of cheap alternatives over the years, including the welding nozzle cleaners, which were utterly useless for anything other than cleaning out a slot, and finally bit the bullet and bought these.  I should have done it sooner.

https://tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/nut-files-set-of-3-electric.html

You can also use Paypal at Tonetech and take advantage of three interest free payments if the whole outlay is too much to stomach.  

Kittyfrisk

The advice to get the correct & best tool for the job is right, as it always will be.
However, if you wanted to take a punt on a cheap tool that might possibly be OK... https://tinyurl.com/3t49357x

Sarge

When you consider the Hosco files are £15-£18 each, they're really not expensive at all.
Buy them individually if the initial outlay is too much.