Hi all.

I'm in the process of making a QCTP for my Warco WM180.

It will be a piston type, with an eccentric cam in the centre, very much like the one made by Ade of "Ade's Workshop" on YouTube.

The main body is cast iron and I'll make the holders from steel. Male dovetails on two faces of the body and females on the holders. I have 45 and 60 degree dovetail cutters but can't decide which to use. Ade uses 60 deg on his and it seems to be very successful but most of the proprietary dovetails on bigger machines seem to be 45s.

Can anyone suggest which angle to go for and why?

Cheers

Gareth

I was leaning towards 60, if for no other reason than Ade's example. He seems to know his onions.

Thanks all.

Thanks Clive.

I've machined much of the block but have only roughed the "tenons" for the dovetails. I was planning to cut one 60 deg then just move the Y axis and cut the other (rather than cut one then flip the block and cut the other).

I hoped this would ensure the accuracy you describe.

I'll be using a milling slide on the cross slide of my lathe. I know it's very much a poor man's milling machine but everything is very square and surprisingly rigid – certainly capable of light cuts in cast iron. I've tested it a fair bit and been very pleasantly surprised at the results.

Gareth