TOOL TALK A Selection Guide for Reamers Commonly found in various industries across the globe, reamers are rotary cutting tools used in metalworking. Depending on the job, reamers can handle rough work and precision applications. When accuracy matters, reamers can enlarge existing holes by incremental amounts while leaving smooth sides. Categories Bridge and Car Reamers: These are commonly used for correcting hole alignment in structural steel like bridge and building materials as well as automotive frames (including large equipment/trucks). They are also used for enlarging existing holes and deburring. The reamers are most often used in a hand drill in construction environments. Chucking Reamers: Chucking reamers or machine reamers are commonly used to enlarge or enhance the finish of an existing hole to tight tolerances. These are most often used on through-hole applications. Typically, these reamers are used via machines like drill presses, mills or lathes. These reamers can be found with various shanks (taper, round, hex, etc.) to accommodate use in various machines. Expansion and Hand Reamers: These are used for very similar reasons as chucking reamers, but are operated by hand via a square shank on the tool. These reamers are then best turned by a tap wrench to expand the hole to the specified tolerances. Flute Styles Straight Flute: Most common style of reamer. Used in through-hole applications, chips are forced through the hole. Has a 45° chamfer angle. Right Hand Spiral/Right Hand Cut (RHS/RHC): Ideal for blind-hole applications, pulls chips out of the hole and adds extra shear to the finished hole. Left Hand Spiral/Right Hand Cut (LHS/RHC): Ideal for through-hole applications. Pushes chips forward into the hole and gives the finest hole finish. Angle Blade: Adjustable reamers are set at a slight angle that eliminates chatter. This leaves an improved surface finish versus the straight flute (no image available). Materials High Speed Steel (HSS): Has good tool life and productivity as well as inexpensive. Works well with most materials. Cobalt: Harder and tougher than HSS, has minimal chipping allowing it to run 10% faster than HSS. Works well with machining cast iron, heat- treated steels, and titanium alloys. Carbide: Used in high-performance applications. Can withstand higher temperatures and run faster with good wear resistance. Works well with cast iron, nonferrous alloys, glass, plastics, and composites. Scratching the Surface If you use reamers in your work and wonder if there’s more you can get out of them, Fastenal can help. We have a dedicated team of metalworking experts who make it their job to answer your questions. Questions Our Experts Can Answer “What reamer should I use for my specific work?” “Is there an option that can save me time or money? Or both!?” Ready to help: Call 844-365-8665 or email Cuttingtoolsupport@fastenal.com Looking for Metalworking Tools? Contact Fastenal at 844.365.8665 or cuttingtoolsupport@fastenal.com Go to fastenal.com/metalworking for previous Tool Talks WF_138675 JP 8.23
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