Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hi All,

I just wanted to share what I have been using to do my string slots.
All you need is a feeler gauge and a Dremel with a fine grinder blade. Basically you are just turning your feeler gauge into a file, you will get a range of thickness for about $10

I round the bottom edge of the selected gauge with a file and sandpaper.
Then grind slots into the edge of the gauge at a slight angle. I like to leave the burr it helps to cut the material. It also give a slight tolerance so you can match you string diameter to the thickness of the feeler gauge and string won't be tight in the slot.

Thanks for the tip Luke (And welcome to the forum too!). Have you used these on wide bone nuts? Just wondering how they'd behave.

Nick,

Im not sure what you mean by wide, but 5mm bone they are fine. I start the wider slots with a saw or triangle file.

Welcome to the ANZLF Luke

Your feeler gauge saws are a good tip. When I fist started out I used CIG oxy tip cleaners. They are a little too soft really, however if you cut all your slots to depth with a razor saw first and only work the pull stroke they get the job done OK...maybe you could try a razor saw with your feeler saws, its a good way to keep your cut on track.

Cheers

Kim

Thanks Luke, yeah you were on the money, I was thinking the wider acoustic nuts as opposed to the Fender style 3mm wide ones.