First try at cutting sight dovetails

[bioprof]

I just cut my first dovetail by hand for the front sight on the Hawkens rifle I'm building. This is the second "parts" rifle that I put together. I wasn't confident enough on my first rifle which was a Vincent halfstock, so I had TOW install the sights. I decided to do as much of the work myself on my second rifle, so took the plunge. I used a dovetail file from Brownells to cut the dovetails. It was expensive, but paid for itself on the first dovetail. I used the jaws of the vise to control the depth of the cuts with the hacksaw, then filed it smooth with the dovetail file and then cut the angles. I think it turned out pretty nice for a first try. It ended up about half the depth of the base of the sight, about 1/32" deep, which seemed to be plenty deep to hold the sight in. It probably took me an hour to cut the dovetail and install the sight, but I was going slow since it was the first time. Now I just have to cut the dovetail for the rear sight and I'll be ready to shoot in the E-W Civil War! :thumbsup:

 

[MikeChapin]

I've cut a lot of dovetails by hand. I recently picked up a dovetail cutting jig and used it on my last two rifles. It made life a lot easier for doing that job. It is made for a standard 3/8 dovetail but I use shims and move it up and down the barrel for odd sized dovetails.

I have seen them in a couple of places. I got mine at Cain's Outdoor at http://www.cainsoutdoor.com/default.htm, but have seen them other places.

 

[reddogge]

I always found them fun to do and satifying when done.

 

[Slenk]

Mike2005
I have been using the same jig for years . Sure makes life easier . :agree: :thumbsup:

 

[wulf]

Mike I would sure like to see a picture of your dove tail cutting jig.....