Posted by: Edwin

Better not use 80 grit....................

Ouch! 

Posted by: darrenking

Hey, That's been bookmarked! Thanks

Darren

Found this too Darren, it may come in handy one day.

multi-scale fret calculator - http://www.ekips.org/tools/guitar/fretfind2d/  

If you are worrying about string spacing at the nut then I highly recommend this tool from Stewmac:

https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Straightedges/String_Spacing_Rule.html

Keeps things simple...(it was a lot cheaper when I got mine yrs ago! - but I would not be without it)

Mark in 1/8" (3mm or whatever you heart desires) from each side for the E-E and then use the string spacing rule to mark the remaining 4 strings.

(if you don't want to splash out or wait use a compass/dividers and/or adjust spacing by eye)

Its very easy to over-complicate these things with formulas and measurements in mm to 4 decimal paces! 😛

I use a scriber (sharp pointy thing) to mark the positions - you can check this with the strings on - they will sit in the grooves made by the scriber. When your happy with the spacing then file to depth...

FYI: I have cut hundreds of nuts completely by eye - nobody has ever complained about string spacing...

If it looks right then it probably is right...use the force John...that's what it's for. Your 'Guitar Makers Eye'.  I sense that the force is strong within you...Can't you feel it yet?

My point is - unless you are a machine - you cannot hope to measure or mark out to those tolerances so why bother even trying? And who cares what the exact measurements are?

If you can see that it is wrong then you can adjust it until it looks right...right?

Everyone agrees my guitars play and feel great and I have NO IDEA what the string to string spacing is to the 4th decimal point 🙂

?

Hahaha...... Excellent! 

This is all good to know Mark, thanks. 

My lovely horse! ? 

I’ve just taken delivery of some nut files, a nut blank and a nut shaping file. It cost a bit but I will have a go this weekend at making the nut I need for this guitar build. 

I’m getting there! Done it all by eye. 

OK, all done! 

This my first attempt at making a nut. It’s not too bad, even though I say so myself.

Excellent! Well done - looks great 🙂