Thread: How do you Use a hand reamer

I have tried a couple of times and always get a hand reamer stuck. I keep winding it in a clockwise direction with plenty of lubricant but it gets stuck and I have to work hard to pull it out.

How should a reamer be used?

Try again, but when you feel it start to bind, pull up and remove the reamer, still turning clockwise. Clean the flutes and have another go, repeat if necessary. Check: Is the material suitable for reaming? Hardened steel won't cut. Are you allowing the reamer to progress into the hole without undue pressure? Are you using a hand reamer? A machine reamer doesn't have a large lead-in. Is your reamer sharp?

Are you giving the Reamer the correct size hole.
Is it an adjustable reamer.
Are you useing a Tap wrench.

Thanks for the replies.
I am doing as suggested so maybe it is the reamer at fault. They are made in India adjustable reamers and were cheap compared to name brands.

Take smaller cuts 10 though at a time , if that works increase your cut , what lubricant are you using ,

Lubricant is just engine oil (new) diluted with kero to make it lighter. Give it a squirt from an oil can before and during reaming.

Although I thought I was taking small cuts I may have been a little impatient.

How are you setting the Reamer.

I adjust the reamer so that it has about 1/3 of it able to pass through the hole. I use a long handle tap wrench as it helps me keep it vertical - visual. I coud set it up on the mill and use a spring loaded tap centring tool I have - I just thought of that so do you think that would help? The reamer has a pip in the end of it.
Once in the hole I just keep turning clockwise with light downwards pressure - that is until it jams then I talk to it nicely and remove the tap by backing off a bit and lifting it upwards. It gets ugly about then and returning the reamer to the hole requires a gentle feel to make sure it doesn't catch too badly on the burr I created - any amount of nice talk falls on deaf ears this time around.
I use plenty of lubricant before and during the cutting.

What I am trying to do is ream a 6mm hole to 6.3mm in a holder for a close tolerance fit for a round diamond drag bit - I want the diamond drag bit to move up and down (spring loaded) with no side play.

Not sure about your Mill setup so I wont comment on that.
You might find that you will have to sneak up on your finished ID.
Are you trying to take .3 in one go.
If so you might have to enlarge by steps of .025/.05.
Is it possable for you to redrill your hole to a C or maybe a D drill.

I thought I was only taking a smidgen at a time but it is possible I am taking too big a step.
I only have imperial in 64ths and metric in 0.5 steps drill bits. 15/64th puts it at 5.95mm and 1/4 is 6.35 so I used the 6mm being closest under to finished size.
I'll have another go tonight, take more time and care and go a little gentler.
Thanks for the suggestions.

Reamers don't work well in mild steel.... Well that is my experience...

You could have hit the nail on the head there. It is anybodies guess what type of steel it is but it certainly isn't hard to work. To get a reasonable finish on the lathe I had to crank up the speed and feed as it was faily gummy. It is not a shiny finish and more of a dull glow so I am fairly sure it is mild steel bar.