Making a tiny reamer

At some point in the near future I will need a 2mm reamer for a one off job.

I have made 'toolmakers' reamers in the past by filing silver steel down at an angle - but not often, and in larger sizes only.

Any hints/suggestions on making such a tiny reamer, particularly the best way to hold it while making and what speed to run it at

No hurry as only just ordered the 2mm silver steel.

Thanks

Nick

Hold it in a pin vice. Or a drill chuck held in the vice with soft jaws etc.

Hi Nick

I know it might not be in the spirit of doing everything yourself, but you can buy a 2mm chucking reamer in the UK for less than £2 post free on Ebay, even if the quality is not perfect I think at that price I would be tempted to buy one and try a test hole before making one.

Phil

Thanks Phil - I saw those - my thinking was as a 2mm silver steel shaft has to run in the hole making a reamer from the same steel might mean the size was more accurate.

This is all tiny stuff for me!

Big, small, tool makers reamer is the way I usually go, usually with the same steel as the shaft that will fit the hole. For a one off hole(maybe two or three) in brass or aluminium I sometimes get away unhardened.

Ian S C

Thanks John - With the larger reamers I have made I have just held them in fibre jaws in the vice and filed a single flat and I was wondering how to hold such a thin piece for filing without bending it.

I will probably make a similar holder, but I'm waiting for the silver steel to arrive as I said, so not done it yet (apologies to the member NDIY)

Thanks again,

Nick

Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 02/06/2019 19:01:08

Swiss Broaches are good to have - Not strictly reamers, as they leave a tapered hole, but in thin components, the taper is negligible. Ideal for changing carburettor jet sizes by a gnats whisker etc.

**LINK**

Hold it in soft jaws in a vise with only enough projecting to file the point. Hold it in a pin vise or small chuck when reaming,