Kick's first build LP-1MQ Red Widow

[Kick]

Thanks Ozz, that is looking very interesting. But are you saying that you use old strings like a file to cut the slots after making some sort of groove with, let's say, a cutting-tool like a sharp knife or blade?

I think that this may work with the slots for the E, A and D string because those strings are wounded. But how about the other unwounded strings? You can't 'file' with an smooth string...

Or am I completely wrong?

[wazkelly]

Using old strings as a file is slow and painful on a bone nut but eventually gets the job done. For the unwound string slots this method would indicate using the thinnest wound string which should always be thinner than any saw blade you may have been considering.

In today's mail I just received a rather cheap and very tiny set of needle files that could get me by on a few small jobs.
Here is the link... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/13-Sizes-...53.m1438.l2649

[Kick]

I came up with another idea! Since I have a 3D printer, why not print my own nut (including slots)? This would be a challenge because the nozzle width of the extruder is 0.4 mm and I have to rely on my SketchUp skills to make a 3d model.

I can take over the dimensions of the stocknut that I took of the other day. I can go crazy and print a red nut... LOL!

[Sonic Mountain]

Now you are thinking! What kind of printer do you have? I was just thinking that'd be a neat way to do some custom pot knobs.

[Kick]

Now you are thinking! What kind of printer do you have? I was just thinking that'd be a neat way to do some custom pot knobs.

I have the Da Vinci Jr. 1 and it is a budget printer. But printing knobs is also a nice idea

[Sonic Mountain]

I have the Da Vinci Jr. 1 and it is a budget printer. But printing knobs is also a nice idea

Yeah, those aren't bad for a consumer level machine, should be enough resolution to make a decent nut. Shame the string grooves are so large in the model you found. Are you printing from an STL file? Have you tried modding it?

Guitar body looks great BTW.

[Fretworn]

Poor man's nut files are a set of feeler gauges with notches filed into one side. You do need to run an old string through after to smooth the slot though.

[Kick]

Ok, I found a 3D file of a nut and I printed it in red



You see the white (the original), the black Graphtech and the red nut...



It is looking sharp I must say! Not glued on so don't be afraid! Only thing is that I think the slots are a bit too wide so I'm afraid it wont work.



One of the last layer of TO is applied and I'm almost run out of the oil.

[Simon Barden]

It's certainly looking very shiny, Kick.

Any way of making some of those nut slots print out any thinner? Also, have you tried sanding it down and seeing how polished and shiny you can get it looking?

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

Looking good Kick! You could try printing out a nut that is unslotted and then manually file in the slots so they are the correct size.