How Are Nut Slots Measured?

When it comes to measuring the depth of a nut slot, there are a few different ways that luthiers use. The most common way is to use a feeler gauge.

This is a tool that has a bunch of different blades that are of different thicknesses. You simply insert the blade that best fits the depth of the slot into the gauge and then read off of the scale what the measurement is.

 Exclusive Slots & Free Spins Offers: 

Another way to measure the depth of a nut slot is to use a digital caliper. This is a tool that many people use for measuring all sorts of things, so it’s no surprise that it can be used for this purpose as well.

To use a digital caliper, you simply need to zero out the device and then insert the probe into the slot. The caliper will give you a reading in inches or millimeters, depending on how it’s set.

The final way to measure the depth of a nut slot is probably the most accurate, but it’s also the most expensive and complicated. This method uses a microscope to take measurements. To do this, you need to first find the centerline of the slot with an eyepiece graticule.

Once you’ve done that, you can put the microscope on X-Y axes and slowly lower the stage until the tip of the stage is level with the bottom of the slot. At this point, you can read off of the stage micrometer what the measurement is.

So, those are three ways to measure the depth of a nut slot! As you can see, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. It really just comes down to what you have available to you and what your budget is.