By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

Reaming in the Lathe/Drilling M/C

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
Alan Worland08/11/2011 21:56:57
247 forum posts
21 photos
When I am reaming a hole I have just drilled/bored in the lathe I tend to put a centre in the tailstock to locate the end of the reamer put an adjustable spanner on the square which rests against the top slide preventing rotation.
I locate the reamer in the hole and pull the chuck round bt hand while keeping the tailstock located in the reamer and feed it through.
Is this good practice? or should I be running it through under power?
 
Alan
Phil P08/11/2011 22:37:43
851 forum posts
206 photos
I always run the machine under power when reaming.
 
In the lathe I run at a fairly slow speed, and with the "machine" reamer located in the tailstock barrel, I push the complete tailstock along the lathe bed and pull it back again when the reamer has got to depth.
 
In the milling machine or pillar drill, I just use the reamer like a drill but run it much slower.
 
In both cases I put a dab of the old fashioned neat soluable oil on the reamer, not because it cuts any better you understand, I just like the smell of it.
 
There will be plenty of differing opinions about this, but my dad taught to me to use a drill to remove the bulk of the material, then a single point boring tool to bring the hole to reaming diameter but round and true again, then finally the reamer to finish off to final size.
Also never stop rotating the work or the reamer until it has been fully withdrawn, and dont rotate it backwards.
 
I get the impression you were talking about using hand reamers though, so you might be better using the tailstock centre as opposed to holding them in a possibly inaccurate chuck.
Trouble is you need three hands to do it that way. 
 
Phil
 

Edited By Phil P on 08/11/2011 22:41:16

Andrew Johnston08/11/2011 22:48:52
avatar
7061 forum posts
719 photos
Alan; it sounds like you're talking about a hand reamer, which is just that. It is intended to be used at the bench, by hand, with a tap wrench.
 
For use in a lathe or mill you need a machine reamer, which is used under power. The general rule of thumb is half the speed and twice the feed of an equivalent size drill. A machine reamer cuts on the leading edge only, it does not cut on the flutes like a hand reamer. You also need to leave a decent amount for the reamer to cut, at least 8-10 thou, and more for larger reamers, eg, 20 thou for a 1" machine reamer.
 
Regards,
 
Andrew
Alan Worland08/11/2011 23:21:36
247 forum posts
21 photos
Thanks for that. I have mostly hand reamers.
Is it not the done thing to use these under power?
 
Alan
Andrew Johnston09/11/2011 11:24:44
avatar
7061 forum posts
719 photos
Posted by Alan Worland on 08/11/2011 23:21:36:

Is it not the done thing to use these under power?
 
 
It's certainly not convention, but there's nothing to say you cannot use a hand reamer under power. However, if you are locating/holding the reamer as described then I fear you may have some problems using power, particularly when trying to withdraw the reamer. Letting it rub, or turning it backwards, is death to reamers.
 
Regards,
 
Andrew

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Shopping Partners
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate