Tech Talk
What is a "Dovetail Cutter"?
The dovetail cutter is used for machining dovetail slots for such applications as mating machine components that require a sliding fit. Tools produce a slot shaped like a truncated triangle with an included angle of 60 degrees. No starting slot is required for a dovetail cutter, since the slot begins at the workpiece surface. However, the cutting teeth of this tool extend partly up the shank of the tool.