Luthier who can machine a Floyd Nut?

[Top-L]

I have a guitar with a really high nut shelf. I experimentally ground down the nut on a belt sander instead of filing away the wood.

I like the idea of machining the nut, although my method was not accurate enough and the resulting nut seems to have some play because it is not completely flat on the bottom.

I could try to do it again, but if a luthier has the right tool, seems like they could machine off 1-2mm from a new R3 nut and mail it out cheap. I'd rather pay for this service than attempt it again or to file the wood (like I usually do.)

It doesnt need to be perfect because I can use brass shims to bring it up if needed.

Anyone know someone?

 

[Chris Pile]

Wood is a LOT easier to cut than whatever the wangulator maker is using. That's the correct way to do it.

 

[Chistopher]

Yeah, wood is easier to cut, harder to mess up, easier to fix if you do mess up.

 

[ehdwuld]

I would think you could buy one you want
Then take it to a machine shop that has an milling machine
Pay their hourly rate
Walk out with the thing you want

Asking someone to bear the costs of purchasing what may not be what you want
Then proceed to modify it until it is junk to anyone but you

Then send it to you for you to complain about it not working and not paying for it

Is a bit of a stretch

 

[Top-L]

I would think you could buy one you want
Then take it to a machine shop that has an milling machine
Pay their hourly rate
Walk out with the thing you want

Asking someone to bear the costs of purchasing what may not be what you want
Then proceed to modify it until it is junk to anyone but you

Then send it to you for you to complain about it not working and not paying for it

Is a bit of a stretch

I hear what you are saying, but a professional should be able to take the instructions to mill 1.5mm from the underside and do that very quickly and accurately. A machinist could do it.

The problem is that a luthier may not have that expertise. And a luthier is a person who has or could order a floyd nut. So I'm looking for a luthier who has a workshop that can mill or fabricate parts.

 

[uOpt]

A machine shop will fix that right up. I can't imagine a luthier doing this.

 

[Top-L]

A machine shop will fix that right up. I can't imagine a luthier doing this.

You're right. I was looking for a needle in a haystack.

 

[Chris Pile]

Let's put it this way - shop fees are usually around $100 per hour at a machine shop, so a new nut is cheaper.

 

[Top-L]

Let's put it this way - shop fees are usually around $100 per hour at a machine shop, so a new nut is cheaper.

I already have a new nut. I either have to file the wood or hire a machinist.

They could do it in 15 minutes but probably would want an hour minimum.

 

[Chistopher]

I still think you should do the work on the guitar. If your nut needs to be replaced down the line, your just going to need to get it worked again.

The philosophy I have for most things of this nature: If you have two parts that don't fit because one irregular, do the work on the bad one, else you wind up with two bad parts.

 

[Chris Pile]

probably

So you really have NO IDEA.

 

[Top-L]

So you really have NO IDEA.

Oh interesting! A goober attacks!

Many shops require a minimum for a job. I have worked with machine shops before, but I've never asked one to machine a nut.

Was hoping someone in the forum could recommend someone for work like that. They might know a luthier with some machine tools. Would pay a luthier $100 easy to do this. Easier than shipping the guitar and waiting.

 

[ehdwuld]

Look

The "Floyd Rose Nuts" come in several sizes, colors and radius

You , yourself can go to Harbor Freight
And purchase a mini mill

Take a moment to pull your head out and see how that darn thing works

Then perform the task yourself

The mini mill costs less than the shop fees

Practice on something until you figure out how to clamp it up properly

Those professionals make everything look easy.
And the 15 minutes you see them working it doesn't include all the set up and alignment to make the cutting

 

[Top-L]

Look

The "Floyd Rose Nuts" come in several sizes, colors and radius

You , yourself can go to Harbor Freight
And purchase a mini mill

Take a moment to pull your head out and see how that darn thing works

Then perform the task yourself

The mini mill costs less than the shop fees

Practice on something until you figure out how to clamp it up properly

Those professionals make everything look easy.
And the 15 minutes you see them working it doesn't include all the set up and alignment to make the cutting

You think I didn't already explore this? Usually can find a cheap harbor freight equivalent, but I didn't find one this time.

Several hundred is a bit too much for this experiment unless you have a link for a cheaper one?

BTW, I did get the belt sander from HF for I think 75, and it has paid for itself with other jobs.

 

[jeremy]

why arent we using lowering the nut shelf? seems like a lot of work for a simple solution

 

[Top-L]

why arent we using lowering the nut shelf? seems like a lot of work for a simple solution

Thats what I was convinced to do. I just want to see the cheap mini mill that other guy suggested. They are $700+ afaict.

 

[ehdwuld]

Look on Amazon

https://amzn.to/45xCi5T

 

[jeremy]

The philosophy I have for most things of this nature: If you have two parts that don't fit because one irregular, do the work on the bad one, else you wind up with two bad parts.

i agree with this mentality. just because there is another way, doesnt mean you should do it.

 

[uOpt]

Look on Amazon

https://amzn.to/45xCi5T

Will that sucker mill carbon steel?

 

[ehdwuld]

Got no idea
If you go real slow
With a new bit
It only has to do one

Most folks try to gouge out big chunks
Because they are impatient

Small thin bits should work

I dunno
Seems to be built out of 4020

May not

New bit very important coolant in a spray bottle or air blowing across the work surface