Do I need to glue the nut in?

[harry]

The nut that I have made is sitting perfectly in the slot. It goes in with a little "click" and it does not move sideways at all.

Do I actually need to glue the nut in? Or is it okay to not add any glue?

 

[AutoBat]

I replaced a nut that fit that well once. I never used any adhesive and I did not have any issues with it.
Unless you're doing something funny it should be fine.

This is my opinion of course.

 

[bagman67]

My own view is you should use a little glue - just a couple drops of superglue - since over time things can shrink or warp.  It may fit perfectly today, but it might not in two years.

 

[Cagey]

I always glue them in. Time does (usually undesireable) things to wood and plastic, so the nut may not stay in place. Not that the glue is meant to be much of a fastening method - you generally use wood glue, which isn't a good choice for a wood to [other material] joint. But, you don't really want it to be a permanent joint. You just don't want the thing to shift position when playing or fall off when changing strings, while at the same time leaving you able to remove the thing without a lotta heroics for its inevitable replacement. You don't need much - just wet the end of a toothpick with a bit of Titebond II and smear it around in the slot, place the nut and make sure it's centered up, clamp a capo pre-tensioned string nut installation jig on it for an hour or two, and you're safe to file it until the slots are too deep and you have to do it all over again  :laughing7:

 

[Verne Bunsen]

This thread posted twice (that seems to be happening rather a lot lately?). I had replied to the other one but since this one seems to be where the dialogue is happening I thought I'd copy my comments over:

I affix the nut with a VERY light dab of white glue. Otherwise I find that it shifts when aggressively bending the strings. Which is not very good for tuning stability. But by all means give it a try it as is, if there's no problem then there's no problem.

 

[harry]

Thanks for all the answers. I will then glue it in.

Has someone tried to use shellac as glue? Stewmac has this as a "trade secret" - http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Learn_About_Guitar_Nut_and_Saddle_Setup_and_Repair/How_to_fit_a_preshaped_nut_on_a_guitar.html

.... and you're safe to file it until the slots are too deep and you have to do it all over again  :laughing7:

I know that feeling... Learned it the hard way  :tard:

This thread posted twice (that seems to be happening rather a lot lately?).

I did get an error message from the database when I tried to post this thread. So something is not wrong that should be right ;-)

 

[guitarslinger]

I always use a dab of Elmers- works great, easy to clean up with the next nut change.

 

[lightsoundgeometry]

I always use a dab of Elmers- works great, easy to clean up with the next nut change.

nice! im glad that I have read this forum, learning some stuff!