production dovetail cutting

I

i_r_machinist

Titanium

Joined

Apr 12, 2007

Location

Dublin Texas

• Jun 14, 2011

• #1

Anyone doing production dovetail cutting? We have hss cutters, but I would like to move to an inserted cutter. It needs to be able to fit in a 1" milled slot.
Thanks
i_r_machinist

 

C

cncbrit

Hot Rolled

Joined

Apr 6, 2011

Location

California

• Jun 15, 2011

• #2

Don't forget about brazed carbide, I would try roughing some of the material away with a T- slot cutter, they have nice cutters for this, lots of T - slots out there, I would cut as much away with that and go in and finish with a big brazed cutter.
It's kind of a nasty environment for an inserted tool, the angle of attack is 90deg with no helix so you end up with a lot of shock, not good for inserts, clamps and screws.

 

I

i_r_machinist

Titanium

Joined

Apr 12, 2007

Location

Dublin Texas

• Jun 15, 2011

• #3

In another lifetime I cut dovetails for Hughes Tool. Can't remember the the tool but do know it was inserted. Yes, I'll remove as much metal as possible before finishing the dovetail. I just figured that by now, someone had developed the super inserted cutter that lasts forever and makes the machinist's breathe fresher, while removing stains !
have fun
i_r_machinist

 

C

cncbrit

Hot Rolled

Joined

Apr 6, 2011

Location

California

• Jun 15, 2011

• #4

Try A. B. Tools, inc

http://www.abtoolsinc.com

Their Shear Hog, does all of the above in Aluminium, just remembered they had an indexable dovetail cutter too, ..... and brazed,

 

cmailco

Hot Rolled

Joined

Aug 22, 2010

Location

Dallas, TX

• Jun 15, 2011

• #5

Dorian also makes an inserted (t-style) cutter but I'd hardly consider it a good tool for production use.

Depending on the length of the dovetail and the quantities, it may be more economical to sub-out for shaping than milling in-house.

 

L

Limy Sami

Diamond

Joined

Jan 7, 2007

Location

Norfolk, UK

• Jun 15, 2011

• #6

Knew I'd seen em somewhere, problem, they're Interstate shi-ite.


Anyway

Indexable Dovetail Cutters and other Indexable Cutters at MSCDirect.com.

 

kwmachine

Aluminum

Joined

Apr 29, 2011

Location

Duvall, WA, USA

• Jun 15, 2011

• #7

cncbrit said:

Try A. B. Tools, inc

Home Page

Their Shear Hog, does all of the above in Aluminium, just remembered they had an indexable dovetail cutter too, ..... and brazed,

Click to expand...

We use their Dexi-Dovetails all the time. Work great!

 

P

PHDesigns

Hot Rolled

Joined

Jan 4, 2002

Location

Oklahoma, USA

• Jun 15, 2011

• #8

Have a look at K-Tool. I have a small shanked one (.750), inserted, 1.500 diameter.

 

I

i_r_machinist

Titanium

Joined

Apr 12, 2007

Location

Dublin Texas

• Jun 15, 2011

• #9

cmailco said:

Depending on the length of the dovetail and the quantities, it may be more economical to sub-out for shaping than milling in-house.

Click to expand...

I'm kinda hoping to be the "sub-out to.." guy.
Thanks for the recommendations
I'll look at these tools today.
i_r_

 

M

mc_n_g

Cast Iron

Joined

Apr 12, 2008

Location

Western PA

• Jun 16, 2011

• #10

I ended up getting a smaller unused Dorian dovetail model from a shop that was closing. Used it a few times. It works well but the tips on the inserts are touchy to say the least. Try to stay away from the 1 radius unless you absolutely need it. A 2 or larger would be your best bet.
Try to get as much out of the slot as possible and keep the cut depth even between the top angle and bottom of the dovetail. I hope you only have to cut one side at a time and not both.