Slip joint nail nicks: What tool?

[happycat]

Hi guys. This one is directed at you slip joint folder makers. I've just finished my first one and loved it. However, I can't get the kind of nail nick I want with just a little abrasive wheel. I'm guessing some sort of 45 degree cutter on a milling machine, but don't know what size, angle etc.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks,
Ed

 

[A C Richards]

You can get dove tail cutters in 45 and 60 degree included angles. I have seen them in other angles too but are a specialty item and found at gunsmithing outlets. The other tool I have seen used is a slitting saw. They come in various diameters and thickness to suit your needs. Both of these will give a cleaner cut than an abrasive disc.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You can make a punch to cut the nick on unhardened steel.

 

[kc custom]

Once the steel has been hardened you're pretty much limited to either abrasive wheels or cut off wheels, hopefully in either a mill or a surface grinder. All of the above mentioned works, fly cutters, I even use a standard 1/2" dremel saw for my long pulls before I heat treat, lots of cutting fluid and chucked up in a 1/8" collet in my mill. Before I started using my surface grinder I made some awful looking grinder gashes in blades,hope this helps.
Ken.