Nut files for acoustic…. Best to get in UK?

Stratavarious · September 2023

What is the go to make for a set Light/Medium?

BillDL · September 2023

[EDIT - Whoops - I just noticed the "Acoustic" in the title.

I will revise the first one to Hosco double-edged ones to the set for for acoustic, but for the 2nd type I would say you might have to buy separates rather than a full set]

In the UK. I would say there are 3 popular choices of type, each with pros and cons.

Hosco double edged set of files with rubbery plastic handles for electric guitars guaged from 0.010" to 0.046".

https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/230/hosco-double-edged-nut-slotting-files-electric-guitar-set/

Easy to hold and control. I find that the file for the "10" imparts a slightly too wide slot, so I use the "10" file from the other Hosco set below.

Hosco Double Edged set of files with rubbery plastic handles for ACOUSTIC guitars gauged from 0.016" to 0.055".

https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/180/hosco-double-edged-nut-slotting-files-acoustic-guitar-set/

Easy to hold and control. You MAY find that the file for the High E string slot imparts a slightly too wide slot, so it MIGHT be more accurate to use one of the single files of the appropriate gauge from the other Hosco type of file below.

Hosco gauged nut files (set of 10 from 0.010" to 0.056"):

https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/184/hosco-gauged-nut-slotting-files-set-of-10/

https://www.crimsonguitars.com/products/nut-slotting-files?_pos=3&_sid=752dba1d6&_ss=r

You can buy these separately, but it is more expensive per file that way.

https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/338/hosco-gauged-nut-slotting-files-010/

No handle, so the thinner and very flexible files are harder to control. I just made an improvised handle for the thinner ones using those wide wooden tongue-depressing wooden spatulas that GPs used to use when they actually examined you and asked you to open up and say "Aaaaah". I find the thinner gauges of these are more accurately gauged than the Hosco double-sided ones listed previously.

**** NOT SURE ABOUT AVAILABLE GAUGES FOR THESE ****

Hosco "mini" files that you place into a magnetic handle:

https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/2501/hosco-mini-gauged-nut-slotting-files-009/

https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/2502/hosco-mini-gauged-nut-slotting-files-010/

(they don't seem to have ones for thicker gauges, but they are sold by lots of other retailers)

https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/2500/hosco-mini-gauged-nut-slotting-file-handle/

Easy to control with the handle, but harder to see what you are doing. Accurately gauged files.

I've used all three types with excellent results, but I prefer a combination of the double-sided ones for the thicker strings and the 2nd type for the high E and sometimes B.

Stratavarious · September 2023

Cheers.. was looking at the Hosco ones.

BillDL · September 2023

Check my revisions to my comment @Stratavarious ;

Stratavarious · September 2023

Thanks..

NicoAdie · September 2023

A local tech posted on instagram that he’s trying out these and is very impressed by them:

https://www.hellfiretools.com/product-page/utta-nutta-guitar-nut-file-kit

It seems like a solid concept, I’ll probably pick up a set because at that price it’s worth a try. I currently use the hiroshima files which get the job done but I’m always happy to try new things.

SteveRobinson · September 2023

Seems like a proper faff to have to mount the correct wire and tension it to do each slot.

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Nut files for acoustic…. Best to get in UK?

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