Guitarists : nut files?

[The Dude]

A friend has donated a fairly battered old Washburn acoustic to me and I've decided to try and get it back in shape. It needs some new frets, new machine heads and a new nut (split in two by the second string, somehow!). I've never made a nut before and am trying to source some proper nut files. Found some on Stew Mac (http://www.stewmac.com ) but they're out of stock for at least a month so I was wondering if anyone can suggest a UK (online) shop where I could get a set?

[Stu R]

just buy yourself a set of jewellers files, should be able to find them easily enough. Works for me

[The Dude]

Stu R said:

just buy yourself a set of jewellers files, should be able to find them easily enough. Works for me

Sounds like a plan. Are the jewellers files graded?

[Stu R]

yep any half decent set should be

oh and try ebay, probs find some cheap ones there

Edited by Stu R on Monday 29th September 22:25

[The Dude]

Stu R said:

yep any half decent set should be

oh and try ebay, probs find some cheap ones there

Edited by Stu R on Monday 29th September 22:25

Cheers Stu, I'll have a search.

[Rob-C]

Dick tools in Germany stock them.
http://www.dick.biz/dick/page/homepage/detail.jsf

[Stu R]

snigger, dick tools

[The Dude]

Rob-C said:

Dick tools in Germany stock them.
http://www.dick.biz/dick/page/homepage/detail.jsf

Ah, I was hoping you'd turn up Rob - I remember you posting about making your own guitars a long while back but couldn't remember your name.

That site is, erm, comprehensive to say the least

Can you point me in the direction of equivalents of these;

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/Special_...

[Rob-C]

They're expensive!

http://www.dick.biz/dick/product/705015/detail.jsf

You don't need all the sizes listed in Stewmac - I mostly make mandolins and ukes these days and I use a 0.8 and a 1.0 for the wound strings.

You can make a wider slot by "rolling" the file as you cut.

For the plain strings I use a Zona razor saw - I think it's the size 300 saw from here...
chronos tools

You can get bone blanks for nuts here:
http://www.highlystrung.co.uk/acatalog/Guitar_sadd...

Go slowly and keep checking as you go - fret the string at the 3rd fret - look at the gap between the string and the 1st fret when you do this. The string should *just* clear the first fret. Any lower and you risk buzzing.

There's a wealth of information on re-fretting, making a new nut et etc at www.frets.com

Edited by Rob-C on Wednesday 1st October 09:05

[The Dude]

Thanks Rob, much appreciated.