Nut files?

[Lightyear]

What are you using?  I see lots of of stuff to cut guitar nuts but it looks bleak, and exspensive, on files that are gauged to cut bass nut string slots.

[dadagoboi]

I use a very cheap needle file set.  A Nicholson set of 5 is around $10.  I just use the round one mainly.  At it's widest end (even where the handle would fit into it if it had one) it's about perfect for E.  Very close to the tip works for G.  Get a file card to keep it clean and cutting.

According to Erlewine, the string slots should be around the radius of the string deep so the string can vibrate properly.  Typically that's the case on vintage instruments.  Today it seems they come from 'the factory' deep, elliptical and way too high above the first fret. The result is bad intonation on the first frets.  I love to see strings standing proud of the nut and bridge saddles.  They stay there even with aggressive playing.  I use a smooth mill file to file down the nut after you get the slots deep enough and then the flat needle file to smooth it out, then polish w400/600 paper

[Pilgrim]

There's a very sharp gent on TB who suggests that you can create customized nut slot files by selecting an appropriate diameter drill bit and wrapping one thickness of emery cloth around it.  Of course, you need to allow for the increase in diameter caused by the emery cloth.

[dadagoboi]

That might work! I guess you could do it with number sizes of drill bits, a 38 is .1015 inches.

[Pilgrim]

That might work! I guess you could do it with number sizes of drill bits, a 38 is .1015 inches.

It's easy enough to wrap one layer of emery cloth around a drill bit, then check the result with calipers to determine actual diameter.

[drbassman]

I bought a nice set from Warmoth that I use all the time.  A good buy as I recall.

[Highlander]

I have a needle file set I've had since the late 70's.... carefully looked after, believe it or not... I also have some diamond-dust files... from my aviation mech days...

[Pilgrim]

I found a small diameter set of diamond dust files at Harbor Fright - to use them I'd have to measure them, as they're not set up by diameter.

[Dave W]

I bought a nice set from Warmoth that I use all the time.  A good buy as I recall.

That's the set I have. At least 18 months since I've used it but well worth the price IMO. Even if you never build, it pays for itself by the second time you file a new nut and do a setup.

[Lightyear]

The Warmoth files look to be the best way to go - but they're pricey.  I think I'll experimant with my needle files as well as give the gauged drill bit/emery cloth thing a stab to start with as my must buy tool list is already longish.  Still, I will eventually wind up with a true set of files if I build much.

[PeterB]

This is what I've used for years: http://www.voxhumanawebstore.nl/webstore/product_info.php?cPath=373_379&products_id=3463

Cheap and reliable, it works júst right. 

[dadagoboi]

This is what I've used for years: http://www.voxhumanawebstore.nl/webstore/product_info.php?cPath=373_379&products_id=3463

Cheap and reliable, it works júst right. 

That's the correct taper...more versatility in buying a set and cheaper in the US.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=needle+file+set&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=3145276591144194224&ei=S2ByTNqhBsPflgfk1_WWDw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDYQ8wIwAA#

You can also use fine hacksaw  or sabre saw blades either singly or taped together to the approximate width of slots to 'hog out' rough dimensions...carefully.