Nut files

[yancypup]

What do you folks use to file the grooves in nuts?  I'm using a cheap China made set of guitar nut files and I sure would like to try something better.  Also, I have a really small rat tail file and was wondering if they make them even smaller.  Thanks in advance, Dan.

[Michael Doran]

I use these slotting files from Grobet, and they are excellent. They cut only on the edge. I ordered a full set, but I don't actually need all of them. The darker ones (1.5, 1.2, .9, .8, .7, and .4) are basically all I use. (except for the .4 which I had to replace recently.)

M

[Michael_Molnar]

I use fret "saws" from Stew Mac.

[Stephen Faulk]

Frei and Borel in Oakland has everything. Get catalog.   Small files galore. 

[nathan slobodkin]

Michael

Do these have a radius on the cutting surface or is it square? I have a couple of old screw slotting files but the edges are square. I have to round the notch using the tiny and very expensive micro tapered round files from H Core Co.

[Michael Doran]

Michael

Do these have a radius on the cutting surface or is it square? I have a couple of old screw slotting files but the edges are square. I have to round the notch using the tiny and very expensive micro tapered round files from H Core Co.

Hi Nathan,

Yup, the Grobet slotting files have a radius on the cutting edge, which makes a round bottomed slot.

M

[Michael.N.]

These are known as a 'joint round edge' file. I've never used one. I do have a Pippin file and various small round needle files.

I also made a tapered joint round edge file by grinding an ordinary round needle file, so it has two 'safe edges' and two rounded cutting edges. It does bind a little if I'm not careful but otherwise it works extremely well. Much cheaper than buying a whole set of Nut files but of course you have to judge the groove width. The nut files might save you a minute or so on cutting the 4 slots on a violin.

[Jeff White]

I use an old set of German violin nut files from I don't know who (and am not in my shop right now).  They are quite worn out and I am looking to get something else.  Stew-Mac has a whole assortment of nut files for guitar nuts that have many radius's, radiuii Sp??....Whatever.  My guitar guys have these and I'm thinking of going that direction.  As  far as the 'smaller' rat tail file, you can get a "mouse tail" file that is much smaller, I use it all the time on cello nuts, sometimes on violin too.   jeff

[Michael Richwine]

I've been using the Stew-Mac "083x" files for a long time, but I've worn out two sets, and working with even half-worn out files is a pain.  Next replacements are gonna be Grobet.  Otto Frei has the best selection I've found.

[yancypup]

Thanks everyone.  I found this set on Amazon, fulfilled by Grizzly.  They are Uo-Chikyu (aka Hiroshima) files.  I wonder if they are any good.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQJOVRU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=ML2K1NP6H5JR&coliid=I1KG1JZRC22QK9

I see IV selling Grobets labeled as nut files for 30 a pop. When I look at Otto Frei, I don't see any labeled as nut files, just escapement and other types. What should I look for?  I'm looking for the rounded edge.  Which 4 thicknesses would be the most useful?  Sorry to ask so many questions but these things are expensive and I want to get the right ones.

[Michael Doran]

I bought some recently from Otto-Frei. They call them Files-Joint Round Edge, 4" long, Cut 2. The part number is 131.16x depending on size. (For example the .4 is part number 131.169)

If you're doing only violin I would buy the .4 (E), the .8 (A &D), and the .9 (G).

For viola C strings use the 1.2 it also works for cello G, and the 1.5 for cello C. (I use the .9 for cello A and D)

I would buy those 5, and then you'll be all set. They are about $25-30 each, but they last forever. I've had mine for about 10 years and they are still fine, except for the .4 which I managed to break.

M

[yancypup]

Thanks Michael!  That's the exact info I need!

[Bill Yacey]

You might want to check these out:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/japarts-kg/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

[Michael.N.]

I think some people 'wiggle' these Nut files about a bit to get the in between sizes. At least that's what the Guitar folk tell me. There's a huge variation in string sizes if you take into account Violin, Viola and different string tensions, not to mention things like plain Gut strings.

[Michael_Molnar]

FWIW. Here's the link to Stew-Mac's Gauged Nut Slotting Files.

[yancypup]

Thanks Michael, those prices are tempting.  And thanks to everyone else!