How to cut a precise dovetail using a milling machine

The most precise method for cutting a dovetail uses a milling machine and a cutter designed specifically for the job. Larry Potterfield, CEO and Founder of MidwayUSA, demonstrates this process while cutting the front sight dovetail in an octagon barrel.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• midwayusa
• dovetails
• front
• sight
• dovetail
• mounted
• sights

[alderaforall]

this method is a great way to break your cutter. Use an endmill to remove the bulk of the material so the dovetail cutter doesn't have to work so hard. And using a level to gurantee your work piece is flat is a bit hokey. Do it right and indicate it in. Better yet clamp the barrel to the table for more rigidity. Take some pride in what you are doing. Set yourself up for success and that will be the outcome.

[cannonball666]

He's the wizard of gunsmithing. He's Harry Potterfield.

[Garretthierisser]

i like those videos!

[sietevicio]

123

[stevec6977]

testing

[carnigourousplotting]

I'm sorry but that sight is just horrible its black and looks like it's made out of plastic

[alderaforall]

the need for a fixture is obvious, the point I was trying to make was the setup is poor and can be better. Those that do this as a hobby and can't afford to be buying another barrel and or cutter after each failure watch this and mimic him. Unless your wallet is bigger than your brain and you can afford to buy a new barrel and cutter after taking shortcuts my advice would be to use an endmill to remove the bulk of material and then come back with your dovetail cutter and finish your sidewalls

[KoonceTodd]

@alderaforall

While you are correct, on straight non tapered, square surfaced barrels, it is my opinion that Larry made this video to fit the bulk of dovetail machining scenarios. I don't know that for a fact, but I must believe that there has to be a reason. Round barrels cannot be directly clamped to the table, there has to be some sort of fixture involved, V-blocks at a minimum. I personally use a Forster fixture, and then indicate level and zero at the edge. Seems to work well for me.

[Shombroni]

I agree with alderfoll about breaking that cutter without hogging out first. Parallels will kep you level, but if you have any suspicions pull out the test indicator.

[Mcgheekevin1981]

@alderaforall here here, totally agree, I mean assuming it was a machinists level, indicating it, is the best, Not sure why he didn't clamp it to the table thou, that would be my choice as well.

[ignilc]

that's the way it is