I need to cut a dovetail slot in a slide for a 911 something that I have never done before. I have used a standard 45deg dovetail cutter before but it was only to clean out an existing groove. I know and have the 1/4 end mill to precut the area. I also know that the sights for a 1911 are usually 65deg. I have not yet purchased a cutter. I don't have the ability to make my own like Alphawolf. Plus the slide that I have is a new slide that didn't have the dovetail cut in it and since I paid to much for the **** thing I cant affford a lesson in stupid mistakes. This slide is going to be on a 1911 for my wife using an Essex frame and I don't want to mess it up. The sights I want to use are from midway product # 633-579 http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#633-579 The problem is the description for the sights doesn't give me the angle of the sights. I don't remember anyone cutting sights nor providing any tutorials on the subject.
When the sights arrive you may be able to get the angle off of them with a protractor. It should be a standard angle that you can buy a dovetail in. I only remember cutting one in my schooling, as I remember you do want to pre cut where you will be dovetailing of course and only do one side at a time. Practice in a similar material to make sure you get a good fit. Sometimes I make 2 or 3 parts out of aluminum to get my numbers close to right before I make one out of steel. It will get you pretty close to the mark on everything but feeds and speeds by doing that.
Another approach would be to grind safe edges on a triangular file so it cuts 65 degrees and go to it. Not as fast as a mill cutter but plenty accurate and within the budget
# Front sight requires 300x60 degree dovetail # Rear sight fits factory dovetail 300x65 degree # Allen wrench included Above info pulled off the Midway web sight, I would start with cutters to install both sights. When cutting a dovetail this small I usually do not pre-mill the center of the dovetail.
Just out curiosity, how much was to much for the slide. Top quality forged slides can be expensive. Especially if they are Les Baer or Rock River. A bald Caspian slide is about a 200 dollar bill.
Since I made my earlier post I made a discovery I have a NEW slide that I forgot I had. In fact I found all kinds of stuff that i had forgotten about. The new slide is unmarked with the dovetail cut for the rear sight already cut. The slide is cut for a staked style front sight. I'm still trying to remember where this thing came from, its a perfect fit to the frame its blued and in perfect shape. ociebell the slide that I got screwed on I think was around $180 when I bought it. It's in the white with NO cuts for the sights and is rough. So does anyone know of a way to stake the front sight without buying the special tools to do the job?
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So does anyone know of a way to stake the front sight without buying the
special tools to do the job?
Yeah, make the special tool... it's not that special. Take a peice of 1/4 " flat bar and cut a relief in the middle that will allow the staking point to reach far enough to do the staking. It's probably best to case harden the point, but I didn't and it worked fine for a one shot use.
Don't be afraid of the dovetail cuts either - I do mill the center clearance, but then mill both angled portions at once. Cut a touch undersize and file the front sight to fit. I did one of these before I had any real confidence machining and it turned out great - It's easier than you think.