Discussion Forums

Warwick Marflitt

I borrowed this off the nett......

DOVETAIL CUTTING BY HAND

Tools: Hacksaw with line level attached to the top.
Small triangle file with one side stoned to eliminate it cutting on the bottom
Standard mill file to use for cutting the depth
Two hose clamps for making initial cuts paralell
Calipers to measure the dovetail to place the clamps on the bbl
Bench vise to hold the gun if you don't have one ask your friends or Dad or in laws
A small bubble level helps with this project one that comes on a combination square is better.

To do it with hand tools a very good level for dovetails. To start a dovetail with hand tools measure one at the top, put two hose clamps on the bbl that far apart. You can make the initial cuts for depth with a hack saw carefully of course. Once you get going having a line level on the hacksaws frame with the firearm in a padded vise that is square and the top of the gun level. This will get you close. Setting it up with say a rear sight when you are cutting a new front so they are paralell with the level.
Remove the hose clamps and saw or file the excess out of the middle. Now space them hose clamps with your new dovetail insert (blank, sight whatever) minus a couple of thousandths. With a three corner file on hand make your initial cuts with your hacksaw to save time. Get close you will finish with the file. Once the file barely touches the hose clamp you are done. Try the sight or insert blank. It should not fit at this point. Do not file the dovetail, instead place the bottom of the sight on a flat course stone or good mill file and stroke it away from you several times holding it flat. Try it for fit into the dovetail. If it needs more turn it 180 degrees and stroke it away from you again, this helps keep your top paralell with the bottom. When you get it close you will know, try to drive it in, if it goes hard take a little more off until it fits with the proper tension.

Originally posted and plagiarized from

https://www.marlinowners.com/forum/cutting-dovetail/77281-using-hand-tools-cut-dovetail.html

Video from Middle of the way ewe ess aye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcfAFxsfqA0