Dovetail slot Blank Making

[mtsage]

I have made a couple of dovetail slot blanks in the last couple of years. Never all that hard but kinda a pain none the less. Measuring the space and depth of existing dovetail is not an issue. Making the 60 degree angles on the front and back of the blank is the pain for getting it exact. Anybody have any hints or jigs rigged up for getting the 60 degree cuts? I have made them from brass and copper so filing is pretty easy. Pics of course are always welcome. Thanks in advance.
Marlowe

 

[user 34300]

I have made a couple of dovetail slot blanks in the last couple of years. Never all that hard but kinda a pain none the less. Measuring the space and depth of existing dovetail is not an issue. Making the 60 degree angles on the front and back of the blank is the pain for getting it exact. Anybody have any hints or jigs rigged up for getting the 60 degree cuts? I have made them from brass and copper so filing is pretty easy. Pics of course are always welcome. Thanks in advance.
Marlowe

Make it several inches long. Do the best you can with a taper. Cover the blank with sharpie marker. Tap inot place lightly. File more where it touches. Repeat as needed. When it touches everywhere, you are done.

The dovetail in the barrel may not be exactly 60* so you have to fit it anyway.

 

[IanH]

A triangle file has 60⁰ sides and can be used as a guide to check the angles of your blank as you progress.