Measurement over pins for a dovetail, plus the dovetail width, from the angle, height and pin diameter — the standard way to inspect a dovetail on the bench.
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Request a Proposal →Dovetail slides and grooves are measured indirectly using precision pins (or wires) and a micrometer. The measurement over pins method provides an accurate check of the dovetail angle and width without needing an optical comparator.
The angled flanks of a dovetail cannot be measured directly with a micrometer. Pins of known diameter contact the flanks at a tangent point, converting the angular measurement to a linear one. This is the standard QA method for dovetail slides and O-ring grooves.
The pin should contact the flanks near mid-height. A good rule: pin diameter ≈ 0.5× dovetail height. Common choices: 2 mm pins for small dovetails (under 5 mm height), 3-5 mm for medium, 6-10 mm for large machine slides.
Dovetail cutters produce angled walls (typically 45 deg or 60 deg ). T-slot cutters produce a T-shaped undercut with parallel walls. Both are used for workholding slots, but dovetails provide self-aligning sliding fits while T-slots accept T-nuts for clamping.
Enter the dovetail width (at the narrowest point), height, and angle. The calculator gives the measurement over pins. Use this to set your micrometer or caliper when inspecting dovetails. For female dovetails, subtract the pin contribution instead of adding.
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CUTTING DOVETAILS? Dovetail cutters are almost always custom ground, so the drawing decides the price. See how to brief a custom tool maker.
Dovetail cutters are a form tool: the angle and the diameter are ground together and cannot be adjusted afterwards. Send the angle and the dimensions.