Grinding a Floyd nut? ideas?

[Top-L]

I used to file the nut shelf on my guitars, but on my latest guitar I used a belt sander to grind the nut shorter. I held the nut with vise grip pliers and used the rotating sander.

It worked OK, but the underside is not completely level, although it is stable when screwed in.

A Floyd nut is pretty inexpensive, so I was trying to figure out a way to grind the bottom that would result in a completely flat nut for future guitars.

I was thinking that maybe, clamp it into a vise and use an angle grinder to remove the exposed portion? Although that would damage the vise.

It is very tough metal.

 

[ICTGoober]

Yes, it's harder than the hubs of hell. Wood is softer - THEREFORE that's the way to go. PLUS, you can add wood back on if need be.

 

[Top-L]

Yes, it's harder than the hubs of hell. Wood is softer - THEREFORE that's the way to go. PLUS, you can add wood back on if need be.

In my experience having filed the wood, it can create some depth issues, especially if the truss route is very close to the nut screws.

The rotary belt sander removes material in a satisfactory way, but the leading edge ended up a bit rounded.

 

[ICTGoober]

Ever heard of a sharp chisel? Or a Dremel router with a jig?

 

[ErikH]

Always prep the nut shelf itself. Use shims if need be if it is too low (Floyd Rose sells those too). I've not seen anyone grind down a Floyd nut to accommodate the shelf.

 

[Top-L]

Always prep the nut shelf itself. Use shims if need be if it is too low (Floyd Rose sells those too). I've not seen anyway grind down a Floyd nut to accommodate the shelf.

The belt sander did just fine, but the leading edge is a little rounded. If it didn't work, I would have bought another nut and done the nut shelf. I may still.

If there was a tool that could hold the nut completely perpendicular to the belt, that is all it would need, but I can't think of a way to do it.