How do I choose a dovetail cutter?

When selecting a dovetail cutter, consideration must be made to the desired finish type. There are typically two finish options: roughing/hogging and finishing. Roughing/hogging cutters are designed so that the machine geometry, flutes, and materials can be used for rapid and heavy material removal.

How are dovetail cutters measured?

Overall length of dovetail router cutters The overall length of a cutter is measured from the top of the shank to the bottom of the cutting edges or guide (if there is one). Dovetail cutters range in length from 52mm (2″ approx.) to 80mm (3¼” approx.)

What type of cutter is used to mill a dovetail?

Carbide-tipped dovetail milling cutters have carbide cutting edges that provide excellent hardness and heat resistance and retain their hardness better than high-speed steel or cobalt steel cutting edges. The body of the milling cutter is made from a material that can tolerate more vibration and shock than carbide.

What is the included angle on a dovetail cutter?

O-ring dovetail cutters have an included angle of 48°. Another common included angle for general purpose dovetails is 90°. Figure 3 illustrates how two 0.100″-dia. dovetail tools have different neck diameters of 0.070″ vs.

What is the use of a dovetail cutter?

Dovetail cutters, are, as you might guess from the name, mostly used to cut the male and female (pins and tails) parts of dovetail joints. This joint is enormously strong and often used for drawers, boxes, chests and other places where one wants to join the ends of two pieces of wood at a right angle.

How are dovetail cutters measured?

Overall length of dovetail router cutters The overall length of a cutter is measured from the top of the shank to the bottom of the cutting edges or guide (if there is one). Dovetail cutters range in length from 52mm (2″ approx.) to 80mm (3¼” approx.)

What are common dovetail sizes?

Dovetails come in several different types and sizes depending on manufacturer, but the most common are the 11 mm and 3⁄8 inch (9.5 mm). Some other less known, but currently commercially available dovetail mounts, are 12, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 16, 16.5, 17 and 19 mm.

What is the best length for a dovetail saw?

Even if you’ll use your saw mostly for run of the mill drawer dovetails, the longer length will give much straighter cuts, and be much faster. It will also help you to see square. Go for around the 10″ (250mm) mark. Maybe a little longer if you work thicker stuff.

How do I choose a milling cutter?

Selection of milling cutter size: The diameter of the milling cutter should be selected according to the milling width and depth. Generally, the larger the depth and width before milling, the larger the diameter of the milling cutter.

What is the difference between an end mill cutter and a slot mill cutter?

What is the differences between a Slot Drill and an End Mill? A slot drill is a mixture of a drill and an end mill meaning it can plunge in like a drill then slot across like an end mill. Conversely, an end mill will primarily cut laterally and horizontally.

What is the best dovetail angle?

Percy Blandford, who has been writing about woodworking for a long time, writes in his new book, “The Woodworker’s Bible,” that any angle between 7.5° and 10° is acceptable. The ideal, he says, is 8.5° for softwoods and 7.5° when joining hardwoods.

What angle is a 1 in 8 dovetail?

So in closing your 1:4 Saddle-Tail is for all practical purposes 14 degrees, the 1:6 is close to 10 degrees and the 1:8 is about 7 degrees.

Why is it called dovetail?

Dovetail joints are made up of two parts called pins and tails. When a master craftsman wants to marry two boards together, they cut a series of pins on one board and matching tails on the other. They are trapezoidal in shape, resembling the tail feathers of a dove (hence the name dovetail).

What is special about a dovetail saw?

What is the formula for measuring dovetails?

To obtain dimension x for measuring male dovetails, add 1 to the cotangent of one-half the dovetail angle α, multiply by diameter D of the rods used, and add the product to dimension α.

How do you determine the diameter of a milling cutter?

Milling cutters are measured using a combination of their diameter and the number of flutes they have. The diameter of a milling cutter is measured from one side of the cutter to the other, passing through the center of the cutter. The number of flutes is the number of cutting edges that are present on the cutter.

How do you measure a dove tail joint?

The general rule is that they measure half the thickness of timber plus around a mm, so the two dots on the shoulder line are 7mm in from each edge.

What is the standard dovetail ratio?

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to dovetail angles. Commonly accepted ratios are 1:8 for hardwoods and 1:6 for softer timber. This 14° marker equates to a ratio of 1:4. When used with thinner stock, the 14° angle results in a better looking joint.

How are dovetail cutters measured?

Overall length of dovetail router cutters The overall length of a cutter is measured from the top of the shank to the bottom of the cutting edges or guide (if there is one). Dovetail cutters range in length from 52mm (2″ approx.) to 80mm (3¼” approx.)

What are the rules for dovetails?

Is 11mm and 3 8 dovetail the same?

However, that is not the only difference between the two dovetails. They also have different groove angles as shown below. The 11 mm dovetail has a 60-degree angle, while the 3/8” dovetail has a 45-degree angle.

Which is better English or French dovetail?

While both English and French dovetail construction are very sturdy and high quality, English dovetail construction is slightly sturdier with the trade-off of being more expensive and time-consuming to produce.

What saw is best for dovetail joints?

You need a saw with rip teeth for dovetail work. This means the cutting edges of the teeth are approximately perpendicular to the length of the saw. Two saws that do the trick are a Japanese dozuki (top) and a Western backsaw.

What is the best TPI for a dovetail saw?

For medium stock of 3/4 to 1 inch 12 to 15 ppi would be my choice. For working with something in the 8/4 range my preferred saw would be in the 8 to 12 ppi range. If only one dovetail saw were allowed in my shop, that saw would be around 12 to 15 ppi.

How do I choose the right end mill?

Consider factors such as material, cutting diameter, flute count, coatings, and cutting speed and feed rate when selecting an end mill. By taking the time to choose the right end mill for the job, you can ensure efficient cutting and a high-quality finish.

How do you determine the diameter of a milling cutter?

Milling cutters are measured using a combination of their diameter and the number of flutes they have. The diameter of a milling cutter is measured from one side of the cutter to the other, passing through the center of the cutter. The number of flutes is the number of cutting edges that are present on the cutter.

Mike Walker

Repair and Construction Expert. WoodiesDIY.tv Owner