making slots on bridge saddles

[Rick2005]

Hi all,
I'm in need to make slots saddles on a brand new spare rickenbacker bridge for guitar.
Having never done it before I ask to community which is the best way to do it and which is the best tool suitable for this work.
A friend told me about a triangular file (Which size? One's good for all slots? Where can I find one?)

Experts help is appreciated

Many thanks

[nbfanca]

Making a good nut is not easy, especially with tools around the house. For my first one, someone suggested using a table knife with a serated edge which was a disaster.

Read Frank Ford's article on nuts and then decide if you really want to try it.

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musicia ... nuts1.html

[clementc3]

A previous discussion of this question is here:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=209939&start=0&hilit=needle+files

There are links to other pages on frets.com in the discussion which might be helpful, also.

Stewart MacDonald seems to be the most comprehensive supplier of luthier tools and goodies here in the U.S. but you can probably find needles files cheaper in Italy - perhaps from a jewelry supply company?

[clementc3]

Here is an old post about 12-saddle bridges which lists sizes of files for various strings:

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7139&start=0&hilit ... ing+bridge

[doctorwho]

I have used a triangular file to cut bridge saddles, but one needs to be careful about it, and the slot will still need to be sanded smooth with a little rounding. If you can get the Stew-Mac round files, it would make things a lot easier.

[Rick2005]

Thanks a lot Charlie and Clement!
At first sight seems a simple job, but it's not easy do it right. Your suggestions can help me, I'm not a luthier but I am a medium degreed do-it-yourself man
Hope to find proper tools even here in Italy otherwise go to StewMac. If someone else have experience on this argument is welcome!

[beatlefreak]

The main thing is to smooth the slots you cut. You don't want any burrs on the bridge which can cause string breakage.

[Rick2005]

Thanks to everyone, bridge whose saddles needs slots is still on the way: when arrived I'll wear medical dress and go to surgery room

[doctorwho]

Thanks to everyone, bridge whose saddles needs slots is still on the way: when arrived I'll wear medical dress and go to surgery room

(actually, that gives me an idea ... )