Warmoth nut files, any good?

[Kaster]

Hello all, I am in need of some nut files as I no longer have access to any. I have been looking around for a while and the ones I keep coming back to is an eight piece set that Warmoth sells. I do not know how to do a link, but, they are on the Warmoth site under; Supplies, then files. The part number is: NFS8. They are a set with eight files with cutting edges on both sides.

They are NOT the ones that are dual sided where each cutting edge are different gagues.

The NFS8 seems to be the next best thing to stew-mac files. Could anyone give some first hand opinions on these files? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Oh, and I should just add that I am not interested in using either Norman's ''files'' or torch tip cleaners, Thanks again.

[Dana Olsen]

Hey Kaster -

I can't see the actual manufacturer for those files, but I have a very similar looking set I got form Luthier's Merc.

If they are the ones I have, they are excellent for finishing nuts - the last bit of cutting for final string height and for making a perfectly U shaped bottom of the slot. They cut ONLY on the bottom of the file - the SIDES are smooth, so they cut a very thin slot, not a 'V' shaped groove.

However, if you're trying to cut a nut from scratch, those aren't the right files for the job, in my opinion. If you're using the files to make new nuts, the set of 3 files that cut on both sides are way better for the job. It's part number NFS3 - these ones:



They cut the nut MUCH easier, and make a 'V' shaped groove. I like to use the NSF3 files to make the nut slots, then use the other files, the NSF8 to finish the bottom of the slots.

Hope this helps, Dana O.

PS The Stew-Mac files cut a slot much more like the ones in the pic above. Slightly different shape than the ones in the pic, but they cut the same shaped nut slot. The NFS8 files are good for finishing, but you'll get incredibly sore fingers trying to cut a new nut from scratch with them. You'll be sawing on that piece of bone for a good long time (GRIN), ESPECIALLY on the high strings, as they're VERY THIN - .010! for the high E.

[John Coloccia]

I like the feather edge files for starting the slotting...just locating it. I just use a microfile that came in a kit. Then I go down with the standard StewMac/LMII/Whatever nut files like you're thinking of buying.

I think the key to using those files is to plan out the clearance you intend to give, mark it on the nut, mark the finished height of the nut slightly above that, and preshape the nut. Then almost anything will work to get the slots cut very quickly because you're taking off very little.

The problem with the feather edge files and nut work is that without having the safe sides, a couple of thing become very hard to do.

1) It's very hard to move a string over a bit to tweak the spacing once you've made your initial mark. It's very easy to go sideways with the flat files because of the safe sides.

2) It's difficult to relieve the sides of the back of the nut without rounding over the tops

Anyhow, that's just my opinion. I would own them all if I could, but if I could only have one, I would choose the flat ones.

[Kaster]

Thanks for the advise guys. It is nice to hear about how poeple use different types of files for different stages of thier work.

However, I probably should have been a little more specific in my post. I was really wanting to know if anyone has experience with the brand of the files warmoth is selling (part # NFS8). Not one type of file vs another. Thanks again.

[David Collins]

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-tech...nut-files.html