dovetail cutters infeed per cut

I am useing a 1" 60* dovetail cutter at 10mm depth.Could someone sugest the infeed per cut and the speed the cutter should be run at. I have just finished a dovetail and have guessed st the feeds and speed of the cutter,I am cutting in steel and as I have three more to cut I would welcome advice.

Frank

My advice for what it’s worth is that if you are happy with the first one do the others exactly the same, feeds and speeds are always a guess.

Speed depends on material to be cut and that of the cutter. 30 metres per minute is a good starting point for HSS and steel. Feed rate depends on the number of teeth on your cutter. The combination might depend on available motor power at the speed and feed selected.

Conservative speeds and feed are better for hobbyists, to preserve the cutter, but feed is likely more important with at least a reasonable depth of cut (to avoid rubbing, which will soon blunt any cutter).

I have been infeeding .4mm and reducing gradually as I get to depth.I have an SX3 which handles this alright,but I can't find any information on the correct way to use these cutters that is why I have asked the knowledgeable on the forum for advice.

Frank

Hi Frank,

I use a few online calculators, they use imperial measurements but if you have a digital calliper that shouldn't be much of a problem.

***Link***

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Thor

Thanks for the links Thor.

Frank

The largest diameter on the tool that will come into contact with the workpiece is what you should use as a guide for rpm. So in your case start by treating it as a Ø1" cutter or a Ø1" drill. Then as stated above feed at a speed and depth of cut that cuts without rubbing or labouring the machine.

If you have a low power machine you can do the height in two parts, cut the top half a little less than final dimension. Remember this will not be the same point as the final dimension with the tool down to the bottom of the dovetail. Then do the bottom half taking the last few passes to final dimension over the whole of the machined face.

Another option for a low power machine if you have a suitable cutter is to take out the bulk of the material with a woodruff or tee slot cutter, saving the dovetail cutter for the remaining material.

Martin C