Going Nuts Slotting Nuts
By
Bob Gleason
You’ve all heard of CNC (computer numerical controlled)tools and shops run by
such machinery. I have a NCC ( nothing computer controlled) shop and that makes
room for plenty mistakes. One place
where I’ve screwed up more times than I can possibly count is in making
accurately spaced nut slots. The old saying goes “ If you are going to do the
job twice, make a jig”. Took me a few hundred nuts to get there, for no logical
reason.
The little jig pictured will allow you to make accurate nuts every time,
fast and easy. Most of us have some variation in the actual fretboard width
because of the NCC factor. Even though I do have a jig to replicate fretboard
tapers, the addition of binding, or the occasional wood chip out can slightly
alter the final fretboard width. For this reason, my nut spacing jig has 2
different sets of 4 slots for spacing. I have not made this jig for 5 ,6, or 8
string ukes yet, but if you make any of those models a jig would add years to
your life!
The jig is made from a scrap piece of 2” thick hardwood stock. A
lengthwise slot, wide enough for your size of nut, is cut. You can do this with
a router, but the easiest way is to do it on the tablesaw, moving the fence a
few times until you have the slot width you want. I have 2 lengthwise slots in
this example to accommodate different width nuts.
Next, carefully layout and mark your nut slot positions using a square.
Some makers do not cut their slots equidistant apart, but rather prefer to make
an adjustment for string widths to make the actual spacing between the strings
the same. Do this if you want. Using the layout square as a straightedge, cut
the slots with the same saw that you will use to mark your nuts. My favorite
tool for small cutoff work or marking nuts is the Zona saw sold by Han Lima I’a.
Christmas 2012 is coming, go ahead and treat yourself early! Remember, you are
only marking the slots and will cut or file them later.
Here is an end view of the jig.
In use, I slide the nut blank, which is oversize in length, into the slot
and position it at the slots I want to use. I slide in a piece of wood on each
end and tape them to keep the nut tightly in place. Then you simply run your saw
through the slots and mark your nut. The
result, a fast, easy, and perfectly spaced nut every time.
To make my jig slightly more useful, on the opposite side I have made a
small miter jig for straight and 45 degree cuts.
Now you can make nuts without going nuts!
Happy building.