What are you guys using to cut the rear sight notch on rifles? I like a deep notch, straight sided and just a bit wider than the front blade so that I see a strip of white down each side of the blade. Can't seem to find a file narrow enough for that use. It seems to need to be about 1/10" or just a bit less so that the notch ends up about .100" wide. Any suggestions?
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files for sight notch.
- Thread starter CoyoteJoe
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I have a set of cheap Chinese jewelers file that are about half the size of common jewelers files. They are not quality, but do very well. Check with Harbor Freight and similar companies.
Find a local model train store or hobby shop. In there you should find a set of small files often called Jeweler's files. Should be an assortment of several different shapes (round, half round, tapered, straight, triangle and so on) Of course you could just call around instead of seeing what's there. The bigger the shop, the better the chances of finding a set of files. Good luck.
I have a set that are about 6" long including the plastic coated handle. The ones that are thin enough don't cut on the edges, only on the wide flat sides. 
A single hacksaw blade is too narrow and two blades taped togather are too wide. :shake:
A single hacksaw blade is too narrow and two blades taped togather are too wide. :shake:
Many suppliers stock needle files and the one I use for the slot in the rear sight measures .050 thick x .190 wide. The file is 5- 1/2" total length and the useable length is 2- 1/2". It's fine cut and I "kill" one narrow edge so when the slot depth is correct, I don't continue to deepen when filing the slot width.......Fred
CrackStock
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I got mine from a local hobby shop back when I was still building 1/48 scale aircraft models.
I actually started with a new dremel cut off wheel and dressed it up with the files.
CS
I actually started with a new dremel cut off wheel and dressed it up with the files.
CS
Brownells.com, my favorite gunsmithing supplier, has sightbase files in 60 and 90 deg. cut. $12.45.
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Thank you Crackstock...I was embarrassed to be the first to say that I started with a Dremel cutoff wheel. I inherited a box of very old swiss files from a pattern maker/uncle many years ago, and many of those are more than slim enough for finishing things up...Hank
I have used Dremil cut off wheels too. Try this though. Use a mill or drill press to hold the wheel's mandril. clamp the barrel and sight to make the wheel come in at exactly 90-deg. If you try by hand it will likely be cock-eyed. Keep in mind the slot in the rear sight will need to be much narower than the front sight is wide. It is closer to your eye and will appear larger relative tot he front sight. I will guess the cut off wheel slot will be close. To make an even narrower slot use a 32-tpi hack saw blade with the set ground off the teeth.
rabbit03
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Hey Coyote,
I use the hacksaw blade also except I just hammer the teeth together on a hard surface like an anvil or steel table top. This brings all the teeth back in line and will cut a narrow groove that I too require for fine sighting. Like you, I prefer to see a narrow light bar on each side of the sight. My front sight on the Vincent I built is much wider than the notch in the rear but because of the 36" barrel the sight picture is perfect.
rabbit03
I use the hacksaw blade also except I just hammer the teeth together on a hard surface like an anvil or steel table top. This brings all the teeth back in line and will cut a narrow groove that I too require for fine sighting. Like you, I prefer to see a narrow light bar on each side of the sight. My front sight on the Vincent I built is much wider than the notch in the rear but because of the 36" barrel the sight picture is perfect.
rabbit03
