Dovetail cutters

N

Nukem

New member
I'm setting up my mill and wonder what are the most common dovetail cutters used ? Should I just buy a standard set or are there custom ground ones?

TIA
 
Generally there are two common types of dovetail cutters.

One is a 30 degree and the other is a 45 degree.
These will do most of what you need.

There are 60 degree cutters and there are others for special jobs. I have used 15 degrees and 20 degrees on special tools.

Most dovetails will use the 30 degree tools although the 45 is used quite a bit. Standard procedure is to cut the slot with a conventional cutter and then finish with the dovetail. Its much easier on the tool.
 
Check your Brownells catalogue or their website www.brownells.com. They sell all the dovetail cutters for gun work. None that I know of are either 30 or 45s. They're all 60 and 65. Widths vary as to the particular sight you are installing. I would also invest in a pair of their sight base files as most of the dovetails cut a bit undersize and need to be finished up with a file. George
 
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