File recommendation for sight dovetail?

I am going to try my hand at cutting my own dovetails. I found one of the TOTW guides somewhere and would like to try it out on some barrel scraps. What brand of files do you use? Can you buy them with a safe side or have to do it yourself? Hints and tips are welcome. Thanks

Larry Potterfield at Midway USA has a really good YouTube video showing how to do exactly that. If I recall correctly he will show you what tools to use. And I guess he also sells them.

This is a good one.
https://www.brownells.com/tools-cle...s/60-dovetail-standard-slot-sight-base-files/

The dovetail guide will destroy a file. Don’t practice with a good one.

If you anticipate doing a lot of dovetails, splurge and buy the gunsmith safe file from Midway or Brownells et al. For the occasional home project, buy a small 3 corner file at the hardware & grind one side smooth.

I bought the dovetailing file that Brownells sells. It's got two sides for filing and one smooth side so you're not deepening the dovetail while trying to file the wings.

Do yourself a favor and buy this file. It's not cheap but will save you headaches in the end, vs simply making a dovetail file by grinding down one flat of a regular triangular file. I tried the latter, and it didn't work, and the dovetails I made looked like s.h.i.t.

The 60 degree is what you seek, ask me how I know.

TDM said:

This is a good one.
https://www.brownells.com/tools-cle...s/60-dovetail-standard-slot-sight-base-files/

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These are excellent and I use them. However I suggest using them for final fitting only. If used with the filing guide to establish the dovetail, the hardened steel guide will dull the expensive file.

Agree with @Tom A Hawk

Is there any place that sells one with a safe side? I really only have 2 dovetails that I need. Don't really want to spend $50 on a file I will only use3 or 4 times, including practice runs.

bluemule66 said:

Is there any place that sells one with a safe side? I really only have 2 dovetails that I need. Don't really want to spend $50 on a file I will only use3 or 4 times, including practice runs.

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You don't know you won't due another , most say that to start and then have to stiffen floor supports for more weight as they multiply /I speak from experience/Ed

bluemule66 said:

Is there any place that sells one with a safe side? I really only have 2 dovetails that I need. Don't really want to spend $50 on a file I will only use3 or 4 times, including practice runs.

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Find you a cheap 60 degree file and grind one side flat.

No grinder.

bluemule66 said:

No grinder.

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Buy a grinder, everybody needs one or two.

Far as cheap I can't agree. A good Nicholson
60 degree zand go some where the you can use a grinder and grind the teeth off one side oh ya the file is only somewhere between $10nd $15. And I've s t oll got first one and it's still good after close to 20 dovetales.

bluemule66 said:

No grinder.

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If is a cheap file you can put in some time and sand one side smooth on a piece of sandpaper on glass.

I doubt it ... would take forever. Go to a vocational school or mechanic garage or machine shop. Ask how much and I bet they don't charge you.

TDM said:

Buy a grinder, everybody needs one or two.

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Yep.

Crow#21957 said:

I doubt it ... would take forever. Go to a vocational school or mechanic garage or machine shop. Ask how much and I bet they don't charge you.

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I've sanded down two files....takes just a little less time than forever....better than watching late night TV.

I have one of those safe sided triangle files. it does work but is tedious. I have started making dovetails using a hacksaw, fine file, and a cold chisel. mark the center section of the dovetail and the thickness of the base. saw out the material and then smooth with the file. lay the saw over on its side and cut the sides of the slot. use the cold chisel to lift the edges up and boom you have a working dovetail.