Dovetail Cutter depth

[Henry BainbridgeParticipant @henrybainbridge40560]

I need to cut the 60 degree dovetails on a Centec 2A riser block, and I am wondering what size cutter to get. The female side is about 1.9″ at the widest part, so the diameter must be narrower than that, but what about depth?

Looking at cutters online, they only seem to list a single measurement and an angle (for example 28mm x 60 degrees) and I am guessing the measurement is the larger diameter. If the smaller diameter were also listed, I would be able to caculate the depth, but without that info how am I supposed to know? Is there a standard ratio between large diameter and depth / smaller diameter that I need to know about?

BTW the depth looks to be about .450″ so I would need a cutter no shallower than that. Any help gratefully received.

 

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

The table in Harold Hall’s ‘Metalworker’s Data Book’ gives the following depths for 60* Imperial 1/2″ shank cutters of diameter;

1/2 – 5/32

5/8 – 7/32

3/4 – 9/32

7/8 – 3/8

1   –  15/32

..so a 1″ would just do it – personally I’d buy a slightly larger cutter on a bigger shank, not forgetting that metric sizes would probably turn up something like a 28mm cutter on a 16 shank..

(Edit – i.e. might be easier to find)

A 25mm metric cutter has a depth of about 12mm.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If ARC’s are standard then a 25mm cutter only goes 10mm high. Probably need a 32mm. Not all online suppliers only give the dia.

Or if you want branded cutters try looking at the maker’s catalogues then buy on line, seems Dormer have the same sizes/heights ratios as ARC but list a 32mm as 12.5mm high page 175 of PDF

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

The depth I used when I made my blocks was 11mm.

If you haven’t done so, and if it helps, here are JPGs of drawings I created when I made a a number of CenteC RBs.

They were created for my use only, with no intension of publishing them. As it happens, the fingers were the most challenging.

(I have no idea why one picture is duplicated – I can’t remove it).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Henry BainbridgeParticipant @henrybainbridge40560]

Looks like a handy book, I will have to check that out. Thanks!

So I will keep my eyes peeled for something over 1 inch or 28mm.

[JasonB]

On JasonB Said:

If ARC’s are standard then a 25mm cutter only goes 10mm high. Probably need a 32mm. Not all online suppliers only give the dia.

Or if you want branded cutters try looking at the maker’s catalogues then buy on line, seems Dormer have the same sizes/heights ratios as ARC but list a 32mm as 12.5mm high page 175 of PDF

 

Hm, OK, I had better overshoot just in case. Thanks.

 

 

[Gary Wooding]

On Gary Wooding Said:

The depth I used when I made my blocks was 11mm.

If you haven’t done so, and if it helps, here are JPGs of drawings I created when I made a a number of CenteC RBs.

They were created for my use only, with no intension of publishing them. As it happens, the fingers were the most challenging.

(I have no idea why one picture is duplicated – I can’t remove it).

Brilliant, I have barely started, so these will definitely come in handy, thanks for sharing!

[Frank GorseParticipant @frankgorse]

There is a cutter on the auction site now that should do the job,good make and unused. (No,it’s not me selling it)

[David SeniorParticipant @davidsenior29320]

I bought a 32mm cutter a few weeks ago and it measures about 12.5mm deep. I can’t actually remember where I bought it from, but it is a Trubor Dovetail Mill Threaded Shank, 537A 60deg x 32.00

Dave

[Author]

Posts