Reaming vs boring bar - affordable reaming set?

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Jon K

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So - I have found that the mini lathe is awesome, but it's only as capable as the tooling you have for it. So far I've added a quick change post (great!), parting tools, boring bars, blah blah. Last night I had a bushing I was making and the ID had to be 0.03890 for a pin. I managed to use a drill several thousandths smaller then went in with a small boring bar. Its close... its actually decent. But, I would prefer to ream! So, I guess my issue (question?) is that do people just buy a reamer for each use? Ie., if I bought a "set" (is there even a thing?) would it have 0.3890? And if so, how many thousands of dollars would said set be? Basically - how can I get a somewhat affordable ability to ream varying hole sizes? Right now I am drilling and boring, which works, but not for press fit or close fit. Here is what I made: 8279226661_9599466669_c.jpg Shift linkage bushing by Jon Kensy, on Flickr

HELP!!!! LOL.

8279226661_9599466669_c.jpg
 
thats a nice looking parts you got there.

There are reamer sets but those are usually for nominal sizes (multiplications of 1/16" or smaller) and their over and under sizes (0.500" , 0.499", 0.501" for 1/2" reamer, under and over as example).

You can find individual reamers at other sizes, but those would probably have to be bought outside of a set as they do not follow any numerical order.

Or, for one-offs or once-in-a-while projects you can make a D-bit reamer to your specific size in the shop out of O-1 or A-1 for use with mild steels or made of mild-steel for use with aluminum.
 
PurpLev said:
thats a nice looking parts you got there.

There are reamer sets but those are usually for nominal sizes (multiplications of 1/16" or smaller) and their over and under sizes (0.500" , 0.499", 0.501" for 1/2" reamer, under and over as example).

You can find individual reamers at other sizes, but those would probably have to be bought outside of a set as they do not follow any numerical order.

Or, for one-offs or once-in-a-while projects you can make a D-bit reamer to your specific size in the shop out of O-1 or A-1 for use with mild steels or made of mild-steel for use with aluminum.
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Thanks - hrm. I was hoping for some secret underdog "not great but really good for the money" 100 pc set lol.

How do people feel, generally, about adjustable reamers?
 
I picked up a small set at Micromark. It wasn't too expensive. Well, it really doesn't have that many sizes. I got the one that has 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16 and 1/2 inch. $50 or so. Will get more sizes later but I specifically needed the 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2.
 
Reamers are available in just about any size you want, especially if you want to include the Metric family too. I don't think it would be practical to buy one of each. Just buy as needed, or if you have money burning a hole in your pocket, but a few of the common sizes you plan on using. Eventually, you'll have a complete enough set to get you out of boring. Boring can be just as accurate, once you get the hang of it, it's just that reaming is much faster, and can be more consistent during production.
 
The other thing to consider is if the finished hole needs to be on location. Drilled holes are not always concentric with the spindle, a reamer will try to follow the drilled hole unless it is a very short reamer and then it will try to bore causing the hole to be oversize. Boring after drilling will insure that the hole is concentric with the spindle.
 
It just dawned on me - the real issue is that I should have designed the part around the reamer. I designed the part around another part that I ended up re-creating anyway. So, instead of having a 0.38x" hole, I should have just configured it for a 3/8" pin and picked up the appropriate reamer. Doh! Live and learn.
 
Jon K said:
It just dawned on me - the real issue is that I should have designed the part around the reamer. I designed the part around another part that I ended up re-creating anyway. So, instead of having a 0.38x" hole, I should have just configured it for a 3/8" pin and picked up the appropriate reamer. Doh! Live and learn.
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bingo!
 
Jon K said:
Yeah :(

I didn't originally intend on making the bronze bushing. Oh well, next project will be that much more excellent :)
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you just saved yourself a few $$$$$$$$ by eliminating the need for all those special sized reamers - I'd say it's a good cheap lesson to have had :drink:
 
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