Gauged Nut Slotting Files

I bought these for my son's birthday-he needed them for building guitars. He loves them!!

As a semi pro luthier for many years, i've carved and slotted dozens of nuts. I've used a variety of files to accomplish that task. Nothing comes close to the speed & accuracy that come from using these slotting files. They are the perfect tool for slotting electric or acoustic nuts.

Indispensable tool

I've used these files to adjust the slots of a thirteen course baroque lute.

These are not cheap when you buy all the sizes.I have been improvising for years. After grinding coping saw blades thinner, notching Xacto knife blades, dressing nasty slots with dental floss and valve grinding compound, I wish I sent the money years ago. These allow precise work in almost no time and leave the slot bottoms round enough to not need to be further polished for smooth action. I have worked too long and too hard in the past to accomplish what these do in minutes.

While High priced, Quality IS excellent. Inspected same with a 30 pwr microscope primarily observing the bottom edge profile. These were found to BE truly ROUND; NOT V-shaped, square cut, ragged nor elliptical! Strings should FIT in slots perfectly, NO binding nor Intonation problems.
Thank you.

Have not actually used files yet. Quality looks good and delivery was fast. Files are rather pricey,
I have found that Stew-Mac always stands behind their products. Three stars only because I have not used yet.

In the past, I have used fewer files than needed, and made larger slots by slanting. The last nut that I made, I kept going a little deeper on the 5th string, but it wasn't wide enough for the string. By the time I realized that, the slot was too deep. NOW I have a file for each needed gauge and that won't happen again. They work great.

The accuracy that these files bring to nut and bridge saddles work is perfect. A must have if your going to attempt this type of work. It would be nice if they were a little less expensive or in a set discounted price. But well worth the money regadless as they do save time in setting up a new bridge or nut or just replacing saddles.

The files make setting the nut slot depth easier and more accurate.