How difficult would it be to mill a peep site

[Cgrutt]

Thinking about making my own rear peep site for the CZ455. Can't be that difficult, right? Just need to cut an 11mm dovetail on bottom and cross cut a dove tail in top with mating "plug". If done in brass could this be done with woodworking tools (dovetail bit and router). Assuming I'd use a piece of brass. Any ideas or suggestions appreciated.

[thughes]

Why bother? http://www.tech-sights.com/product/c...erture-sights/

[Cgrutt]

Um, because it would be fun to do? LOL.

[Cgrutt]

BTW, I'm thinking something along the lines of this

[thughes]

Um, because it would be fun to do? LOL.

Understood. It's just that for for $70 you get front and rear sights and the Tech sights have an optional rear aperture that includes 3 different size inserts for $15.

I dig DIY as much as the next guy but: #1 I thought you mentioned wanting a nice set of irons to compete with, and #2 by the time to obtain raw materials/develop & test a prototype/produce a working model/etc., you are going to have a lot of time and likely more that $70 invested. Just my .02......(not a big fan of re-inventing the wheel)

[Cgrutt]

No, not to compete with, to pass a pre-qualification shoot for an NRA course (which I can pass with the factory sights), LOL... Besides, I like to tinker with stuff...

[WARFAB]

What NRA course do you have to "pre-qualify" for?

[Cgrutt]

I guess technically prequal is for BIT but I'm taking Rifle Instructor in Feb and Shotgun Instructor in March for BSA.

[Tony]

Cgrutt, I believe your job is doable. Some types of brass are a little easier to machine than steel. A router table might make it easier. You would need a means to securely hold your work piece, then accurately make very small depth of cut adjustments to get a satisfactorly cut dovetail IMO. You could always get it close and then finish with a good file and file card. It would be painstaking work and being able to make a good dovetail in metal by hand would be the mark of a talented individual. Three important considerations in machining are rigidity, rigidity, and rigidity.

[Cgrutt]

Thanks Tony, yeah, I have a router table. Pretty good one actually. Also have an small metal lathe but not sure how good tolerances are, which is why I'm thinking about using a router. Have a big metal lathe too, but haven't gotten it running yet (3 phase).

[blackpowdershooter30]

I have a mill you can use if you want

[Cgrutt]

I have a mill you can use if you want

Thanks! Unfortunately, I wouldn't know how to use it, LOL. Appreciate the offer though.

[camper4lyfe]

In short, you MIGHT be able to do it, but I wouldn't. You really want the right tool for the job, and trying to use wood bits and tools for metal is asking for trouble.

[Cgrutt]

In short, you MIGHT be able to do it, but I wouldn't. You really want the right tool for the job, and trying to use wood bits and tools for metal is asking for trouble.

I'm not sure there if there is really any difference between a carbide wood dovetail bit and a carbide metal dovetail bit? I've been working on my metal lathe today and if I get it running, while not ideal for milling, can certainly handle a small dovetail in brass. TBH, I don't think a router would have any problems either.

[camper4lyfe]

I'm not sure there if there is really any difference between a carbide wood dovetail bit and a carbide metal dovetail bit? I've been working on my metal lathe today and if I get it running, while not ideal for milling, can certainly handle a small dovetail in brass. TBH, I don't think a router would have any problems either.

The other side of it isn't just the tooling but the fixturing as well. Your work piece needs to be held down securely. Without that, it's going to be really dangerous to try.