Reamer Basics

Reamer Basics
Reamers are available in a variety of types, materials, flute styles and sizes
The typical reamer is a rotary cutting tools designed to machine a previously formed hole
to an exact diameter with a smooth finish. But other types are used to remove burrs from
the inside of pipes & drilled holes and to enlarge and align holes for fasteners.
Reamers for sale by Tools-n-Gizmos: HSS Cobalt Carbide Diamond Unk Mat'l
Fixed Adjustable Expansion Hand Chucking Shell Aligning All
Fixed vs. Adjustable vs. Expansion
Fixed Reamers
The reamer size is fixed and any size reduction due to wear or sharpening cannot be reclaimed
Constructed from a single piece of material or with permanently attached cutting edges (e.g. brazed
carbide inserts).
Adjustable Reamers
The blades of an adjustable reamer are separate from the body and are fitted into ramped grooves in the
body.
As the blade slides along the groove the cutting diameter is changed.
Captive nuts located at each end of the blades lock them in a fixed position.
The cutting diameter can be adjusted by loosening one nut while tightening the other.
Each reamer has enough adjustment to cover the complete range from next smaller size to the next larger
size
They are used mostly for repair work in the field.
Not intended for high production work.
Expansion Reamers
The expansion reamer has longitudinal cuts between some of its flutes.
It is hollowed out and threaded to receive a tapered screw plug.
The diameter of the reamer is increased by screwing in the tapered plug.
Maximum recommended expansion is around 0.010" (per Chadwick & Trefethen Inc)
NOTE: Some sources of reamer information (e.g. TM 9-243) imply (or state outright) that expansion
reamers are just another form of adjustable reamer (with a smaller adjustment range). Whereas, several
manufacturers (e.g, Super Tool inc.) state that expansion reamers are not adjustable reamers. The
expansion screw should NEVER be loosened or tightened in an attempt to use the reamer for a size other
than that which it was finish ground. Expansion reamers are beneficial when the diameter wears down to
the low limit. It can be expanded oversize and reground back to its original size. This can be done many
times making the expansion reamer a very cost effective tool.
Hand vs. Chucking vs. Shell
Hand Reamers
Have a square at the end of the shank, similar to a hand tap.
The reamer can be turned with standard tap wrench or even an adjustable hand wrench.
It can also be driven by many Tap/Reamer chucks and heads which use the square end for positive drive.
Constructed with a tapered leading edge on the cutting head to help the user push the tool into the
workpiece
Chucking Reamers
Intended for use in drill presses, lathes and screw machines
Most commonly used style for reaming holes to a tight tolerance
A variety of shanks are available including: Straight (round, hex, keyed, etc.),
Morse Taper and other machine tapers.
Shell Reamers
Similar to the cutting portion of a chucking reamer.
Supplied without a shank and has a hole through the center
A arbor is used in conjunction with the shell reamer, the slots in the reamer engage lugs on the arbor
for driving power.
Aligning Reamers
A pilot is used to align the reamer when two holes must be reamed in line with each other
Many Aligning Reamers use a "floating" tapered pilot sleeve.
The sleeve is seated in one hole, guiding the reamer as it reams the other hole.
Flute Styles:
Straight Flute
The most common reamer
45° Chamfer angle to ease the reamer into the existing hole
With straight flutes, chips are forced forward into the hole, and should be used in through-hole
applications only
Right Hand Spiral/Right Hand Cut (RHS/RHC)

Pulls chips out of the hole
Ideal for blind-hole application
Adds extra shear to the finished hole
Left Hand Spiral/Right Hand Cut (LHS/RHC)

Pushes chips forward into the hole.
Ideal for through-hole applications
Provides the finest hole finish
Angle Blade
The blades in some adjustable reamers are set at a slight angle.
Blade angle eliminates chatter.
improved surface finish vs. straight flutes
Rose reamer
Rose Reamers are primarily used for roughing prior to final reaming.
The flute cutting edge has no relief giving it extra strength.
To prevent binding they have a slight back taper.
Flute Material:
High Speed Steel (HSS, M1, M2, M7, M50)

Combines good tool life and productivity with minimal cost
Works well in free cutting and carbon steels, as well as soft, non-ferrous materials
Cobalt (M-35, M-42)

Better wear resistance, higher hardness and toughness than HSS
Very little chipping under severe cutting conditions, allowing the tool to run 10% faster than HSS
With the right point angle and helix, cobalt is the most cost-effective for machining cast iron, heat-
treated steels
and titanium alloys
Solid Carbide
For high-performance applications.
Carbide can run faster and withstand higher temperatures, while providing good wear resistance
Carbide is brittle and tends to chip when conditions are not ideal.
heavy feed rates are more suitable for HSS and cobalt tools
Used in abrasive and tough-to-machine materials: cast iron, non-ferrous alloys, glass, plastics and
composites
Carbide Tipped
Offers many of the advantages of solid carbide tooling at a reduced cost, especially in larger diameter
tools
Special Reamers:
Bridge Reamers
Designed for use in structural steel, in the building industry, bridge erection, and ship construction.
The cutting end of the flutes is tapered, allowing the reamer to enter overlapping and badly misaligned
holes
Shanks come in a variety of styles for portable electric or pneumatic machines
Car Reamers
Short flute and overall length permit use in cramped quarters or where a Bridge Reamer would be too
long.
Primarily used to repair railroad cars and for construction work, especially fixing misaligned holes
A special cutting chamfer allows for easy entry and fast cutting in badly offset and burnt holes
Pipe Reamers
Used to prepare a hole for tapping with a taper pipe tap
There are a variety of different types of taper pipe taps including; NPTF, Dryseal, and ANPT
Taper Pin Reamers

Taper Pin Reamers have a taper of 1/4" to the foot. (standard Taper Pin sizes #7/0 to #10)
Designed to ream holes into which standard taper pins will fit
Helical Taper Pin reamers have High-Spiral construction so chips do not pack in the flutes
Morse Taper Reamers

Morse taper reamers are designed to ream holes for standard Morse Taper tooling.
Helical flutes prevent chips from packing in the flutes
Center Reamers
Designed for Counter Sinking Holes for Centers or for enlarging existing hole
Odd number of flutes reduce chatter, while providing better accuracy than a single flute countersink
Available in many angles e.g. 60°, 82°, 90°, 100°, 110°, and 120°
Repairman's Reamers
Built for the removal of burrs in pipe and conduit, and for enlarging holes in sheet metal
Reamer Sizes:
Standard Sizes (typical)

Number sizes #70 through #1
Letter Sizes A through Z
Fractional sizes 1/32" through 1" in 1/64" increments
Fractional sizes 1" through 1.5" in 1/16" increments
Metric sizes 1mm through 25mm in 0.5mm increments
Over/Under Reamers
Sizes 1/10th above or below standard sizes
These sizes will allow the user to create a tighter or looser hole than the standard fractional size
Special Decimal Sizes

Covers all sizes outside of the standard fractional, letter, wire and metric sizes
Available off-the-self in increments of 0.0005"
Dowel Pin Sizes

Readily available in standard dowel pin sizes
Taper Pin Sizes

Readily available in standard Taper Pin sizes (#7/0 to #10)
Morse Taper Sizes

Readily available in standard Morse Taper sizes (#1 to #6)
Using Reamers
Using a hand reamer

Secure the work in a vise so that the hole to be reamed is perpendicular to the top of the vise jaws.
Using a tap wrench, tighten the handle to the square end of the reamer shank
Position the reamer at the top of the hole. Turn slowly clockwise until the reamer is centered in the hole.
Straight-hole reamers have a slight taper at the end so they will fit into the hole easily.
Turn the wrench clockwise with a steady, firm pressure until the reamer has been turned in the hole.
When reaming steel, use cutting oil or machine oil to lubricate the tool.
When reaming soft iron, do not lubricate the tool.
Turning too fast or too slow will cause the reamer to chatter, producing an unevenly reamed hole.
Remove the reamer from the hole by turning clockwise and raising the reamer at the same time.
Note: Do not turn counterclockwise at any time - doing so dulls the reamer.
Using a chucking reamer

Reaming feeds are usually higher than those used for drilling.
The best feed rate varies with material; a good starting point would be 0.0015" to 0.004" per flute
per revolution.
Too low of a feed may cause glazing, excessive wear, or chatter.
Too high of feed may reduce the accuracy of the hole, it may also lower the quality of finish.
The best speed is found to lie around one half of the speed used for drilling the same material.
Care of Reamers
Keep reamers absolutely clean to do accurate work

Do not use the reamer to remove more than 0.002" to 0.003" of metal.
If the proper pressure is applied in use and the reamer chatters, replace it to insure accurate work.
If the reamer edges are only slightly dulled, honing the edges on an oilstone may restore the sharpness.
On an adjustable reamer, the blades may be replaced.
To prevent chipping or dulling, turn the reamer in the cutting direction only.
To prevent damage, ensure reamers are stowed where they will not come in contact with each other,
or other tools.
Reamer Specifications
Size Units:
Your choices
are...
English /
The reamer is designed with base units of inches or fractions of an inch.
Fractional
Metric The reamer is designed with metric base units such as millimeters or centimeters.
Wire Gauge The reamer is fashioned in standard wire gauge sizes, designated 1 to 80.
Letter Size The reamer sets in standard letter designation sizes from A to Z.
Other Other unlisted size series or units.
All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search
Search Logic:
criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.
Cutting
This refers to the full tool cutting diameter.
Diameter:
User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all
Search Logic:
specified criteria.
Set Size
The set size rang refers to the smallest-to-largest reamer size included in the set.
Range:
User may specify either, both, or neither of the limits in a "From - To" range; when both are specified, matching products will cover
Search Logic:
entire range. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
Reamer Type
Your choices
are...
Chucking Chucking reamers are the most common reamer type, and are used for general-purpose reaming. Chucking reamers typically come with
Reamer a straight shank. Standard sizes include all common English and metric sizes, wire gauge, and number / letter designations.
Jobber
Jobber length reamers are common industrial configurations that have somewhat longer flutes and overall length than standard chucking
Length
reamers.
Reamer
Taper Pin
Taper pin reamers are ground with a standard taper, most commonly 1/4" per foot, for fitting pins with the standard taper.
Reamer
Taper Pipe
Taper pipe reamers are used to prepare holes for being tapped with a standard pipe thread. NPT standard tapers are 3/4" per foot.
Reamer
Hand
Hand reamers are tools for manual reaming; they are typically equipped with a handle.
Reamer
Bridge reamers are heavy-duty reamers used for construction, shipbuilding, and other heavy industrial applications. They are often used
Bridge
for alignment of holes for rivets or other structural fasteners. Bridge reamers are named for their use on the structural steel of bridges
Reamer
and other structures.
Car reamers are somewhat shorter than bridge reamers, but are also meant for heavy-duty use in structural work. They are named
Car Reamer
for their use for hole alignment and repair in railroad cars.
Morse Taper
The reamer is tapered with a standard Morse taper.
Reamer
Repair Taper
Repair reamers are commonly used in utility and maintenance applications.
Reamer
Shell Shell reamers mount onto an arbor; the mounting hole often has a taper to match the arbor. Shell reamers are often interchangeable so
Reamer that the arbor can remained chucked; one arbor can typically accommodate many sizes of shell reamers.
Deburring
Deburring reamers are designed to remove the burrs left from other cutting operations, such as drilling or milling.
Reamer
Step Reamer Step reamers have incrementally increasing diameter steps.
Center Center, multi-flute reamers are used to create or finish countersinks in holes; they often come in standard angles to accommodate
Reamer countersinks for flat head machine screws.
Dowel Pin Dowel pin reamers are slightly undersized for finishing holes into which dowel pins will be pressed. They typically range from 0.0005"
Reamer to 0.0020".
Extended
Length Extended length reamers are extra long flutes for deep hole reaming.
Reamer
Reamer
Blank / Semi- Reamer blanks are used for grinding standard or specialized cutting edges and flute geometry.
Finished
Other Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary reamers.
Search Logic:
Product
Packaging
Your choices
are...
Individual
Reamer
Reamer Set
Search Logic:
Flute Style:
Your choices
are...
Straight Straight flutes are common industrial configurations that are parallel with axis of hole being reamed.
Spiral Spiral or helical flutes can aid in finish quality and chip evacuation in deep holes; they are also used where the hole is not continuous.
High Helix High helix flutes are specialized to increase shear cutting and enhance chip removal.
Right Hand
Flutes are spiraled in the right-hand direction.
Spiral / Helix
Left Hand
Flutes are spiraled in the left-hand direction.
Spiral / Helix
Other Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary flute geometry.
Search Logic:
Adjustable Adjustable reamers are built for easy, frequent size adjustment, typically by tightening / loosening of sizing screws.
"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either
Search Logic:
choice.
Expandable reamers can be infrequently adjusted to compensate for flute wear. Unlike adjustable reamers, they are not meant to cover a
Expandable
series of hole sizes, but can be reset to a precise diameter. Compensation adjustment is typically on the order of 0.010"
Search Logic:
choice.
NAS
Reamers are manufactured in accordance with National Aerospace Standards (NAS).
Specifications
Search Logic:
choice.
Coolant
Coolant channels direct coolant feed at or near the cutting edges of the reamer.
Channel
Search Logic:
choice.
Tables:
Reference for Number Decimal Number Decimal Number Decimal Letter Decimal
letter and
number drill
size 80 0.0135 53 0.0595 26 0.1470 A 0.2340
equivalents.
79 0.0145 52 0.0635 25 0.1495 B 0.2380
78 0.0160 51 0.0670 24 0.1520 C 0.2420
77 0.0180 50 0.0700 23 0.1540 D 0.2460
76 0.0200 49 0.0730 22 0.1570 E 0.2500
75 0.0210 48 0.0760 21 0.1590 F 0.2570
74 0.0225 47 0.0785 20 0.1610 G 0.2610
73 0.0240 46 0.0810 19 0.1660 H 0.2660
72 0.0250 45 0.0820 18 0.1695 I 0.2720
71 0.0260 44 0.0860 17 0.1730 J 0.2770
70 0.0280 43 0.0890 16 0.1770 K 0.2810
69 0.0292 42 0.0935 15 0.1800 L 0.2900
68 0.0310 41 0.0960 14 0.1820 M 0.2950
67 0.0320 40 0.0980 13 0.1850 N 0.3020

66 0.0330 39 0.0995 12 0.1890 O 0.3160
65 0.0350 38 0.1015 11 0.1910 P 0.3230
64 0.0360 37 0.1040 10 0.1935 Q 0.3320
63 0.0370 36 0.1065 9 0.1960 R 0.3390
62 0.0380 35 0.1100 8 0.1990 S 0.3480
61 0.0390 34 0.1110 7 0.2010 T 0.3580
60 0.0400 33 0.1130 6 0.2040 U 0.3680
59 0.0410 32 0.1160 5 0.2055 V 0.3770
58 0.0420 31 0.1200 4 0.2090 W 0.3860
57 0.0430 30 0.1285 3 0.2130 X 0.3970
56 0.0465 29 0.1360 2 0.2210 Y 0.4040
55 0.0520 28 0.1405 1 0.2280 Z 0.4130
54 0.0550 27 0.1440
Back to Top
Construction
Your choices
are...
Solid
The drill is manufactured from a solid piece of material.
Construction
Bonded Tips Cutting tips or edges, such as carbide tips, are permanently bonded on a steel shaft.
Holder and The drill is constructed with a holder with attachable inserts; these inserts typically bolt onto the holder and are replaceable when the
Inserts cutting edges are worn.
Search Logic:
Material
Your choices
are...
High Speed
High speed steel is a cost-efficient cutter material used for general application metal machining.
Steel
Cobalt Cobalt steel reamers are somewhat harder than high-speed steel and are often used for drilling in stainless steel and other alloys.
Carbide grades are much harder than high-speed steel, and therefore last longer and wear less. Several coatings are available to
Carbide
lengthen cutter life.
Diamond / Industrial diamond grades are used for longevity, and sometimes for special applications such as very high-speed cutting; examples
PCD include polycrystalline diamond (PCD)
Other Other unlisted or specialized cutter material.
Search Logic:
Coating /
Finish:
Your choices
are...
None The reamer has uncoated cutting edges.
Coated Reamer has a coating to assist in cutting lubricity and/or add abrasion resistance for longer tool life.
Titanium nitride is widely used general-purpose tool coating and in most cutting operations. It provides good adhesion and low
TiN
friction; it is typically pale gold in color.
TiCN Titanium carbon nitride provides good hardness and smoothness, and is often used on drills and reamers for castings and nonferrous
materials. This coating is often bluish-gray in color.
Titanium aluminum nitride coatings form an oxide-like layer on tool substrates. They are typically used in high-speed or high heat
TiAlN
dry-cutting operations; they are commonly bronze in appearance.
Aluminum titanium nitride is a variation of TiAlN with increased hardness and abrasion resistance. It is typically dark gray or black in
AlTiN
color.
Al2O3 Aluminum oxide applications include high-speed cutting or turning of abrasive materials, such as ductile irons. It is also used as an
additive for other coatings due to its abrasion and temperature resistance. Depending on its grade, aluminum oxide can range from
gold to black in appearance.
Chromium nitride provides good corrosion and oxidation resistance. It is commonly used for plastics processing and cutting. Low
CrN
friction also makes it useful for drawing, forming, and extruding tools.
ZrN Zirconium nitride is typically used on nonferrous materials such as aluminum, brass, nickel alloys, plastics, etc., but can have
applications for some iron and stainless steel grades. This coating provides good abrasion resistance and lubricity and is pale gold in
appearance.
Black Oxide Black oxide is a general-purpose coating for maintenance and utility drills with some corrosion resistant properties.
Bronze Bronze is a general-purpose, abrasion resistance coating.
Diamond Thin diamond films are applied to cutters to increase life and abrasion resistance.
Other Unlisted, specialized, or proprietary coating.
Search Logic:
Shank Type
Your choices
are...
Straight Shank The drill shank is the same diameter as the cutting edges; this includes holders with straight shanks.
Tapered Shank The shank is tapered for mounting in a standard drilling machine holder.
Reduced
The shank mounting diameter is reduced from cutting diameter, often for mounting in a smaller or standard-size chuck.
Shank
Hex Shank The mounting portion of shank is hexagonal in shape for positive-hold mounting in a chuck.
Square Shank Square shanks are used for handles, wrenches, or vise engagement.
Threaded
The shank is threaded for screwing into the mounting arbor.
Shank
Other Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary shank style.
Search Logic:
Back to Top
Reaming Application
Your choices are...

General Purpose The reamer is designed for a variety of materials and general applications.
Aluminum is a widely used machining material, combining generally good machinability, good strength-to-weight ratio, non-
Aluminum
magnetic properties, and corrosion resistance. It is available in many grades for different applications.
Bronze / Brass / Many different grades of copper and its alloys are used in electrical, plumbing, fluid power, decorative, and other
Copper applications. Machinability and properties vary widely with the various alloys.
Ceramic Ceramics are a broad class of bonded materials noted for good thermal properties and wear and abrasion resistance.
Hard / Hardened
This category includes hard and ultra hard materials such as carbide grades and hardened steels.
Metals
Reamers designed for machining of plastics and polymers can include specialized rake and relief angles, chip clearance geometry,
Plastic
and coatings for this purpose.
Steel refers to a broad category of alloys containing primarily iron with trace amounts of carbon and other alloying elements. This
Steel
category includes all steels, such as mild steel, tool steel, etc.
Stainless Steel Stainless steel is alloyed for corrosion resistance and non-magnetic qualities; it is available in many grades.
Titanium / Exotic
Reamers designed for use with metals such as titanium, niobium alloys, precious metals, etc.
Metals
Wood The reamer is designed for cutting wood.
Other Other, unlisted material application.
Search Logic:

Reamer Basics

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Reamer Basics

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Reamer Basics

Fixed vs. Adjustable vs. Expansion

Hand vs. Chucking vs. Shell

Right Hand Spiral/Right Hand Cut (RHS/RHC)

Left Hand Spiral/Right Hand Cut (LHS/RHC)

High Speed Steel (HSS, M1, M2, M7, M50)

Cobalt (M-35, M-42)

Taper Pin Reamers

Morse Taper Reamers

Standard Sizes (typical)

Special Decimal Sizes

Dowel Pin Sizes

Taper Pin Sizes

Morse Taper Sizes

Using a hand reamer

Using a chucking reamer

Keep reamers absolutely clean to do accurate work

78 0.0160 51 0.0670 24 0.1520 C 0.2420

77 0.0180 50 0.0700 23 0.1540 D 0.2460

76 0.0200 49 0.0730 22 0.1570 E 0.2500

75 0.0210 48 0.0760 21 0.1590 F 0.2570

74 0.0225 47 0.0785 20 0.1610 G 0.2610

73 0.0240 46 0.0810 19 0.1660 H 0.2660

72 0.0250 45 0.0820 18 0.1695 I 0.2720

71 0.0260 44 0.0860 17 0.1730 J 0.2770

70 0.0280 43 0.0890 16 0.1770 K 0.2810

69 0.0292 42 0.0935 15 0.1800 L 0.2900

68 0.0310 41 0.0960 14 0.1820 M 0.2950

67 0.0320 40 0.0980 13 0.1850 N 0.3020

65 0.0350 38 0.1015 11 0.1910 P 0.3230

64 0.0360 37 0.1040 10 0.1935 Q 0.3320

63 0.0370 36 0.1065 9 0.1960 R 0.3390

62 0.0380 35 0.1100 8 0.1990 S 0.3480

61 0.0390 34 0.1110 7 0.2010 T 0.3580

60 0.0400 33 0.1130 6 0.2040 U 0.3680

59 0.0410 32 0.1160 5 0.2055 V 0.3770

58 0.0420 31 0.1200 4 0.2090 W 0.3860

57 0.0430 30 0.1285 3 0.2130 X 0.3970

56 0.0465 29 0.1360 2 0.2210 Y 0.4040

55 0.0520 28 0.1405 1 0.2280 Z 0.4130

Your choices are...

You might also like