Tapered reamer

[Kipper4]

I was thinking of getting a tapered hand reamer just to widen enclosure holes for those akward fittings like LED holders which seem to be an odd size.
Anyone else use these and if so what size and type of material do you reccomend.
Carbon steel?
Rich

[R.G.]

I've used them for decades. Great tool.

Carbon steel is fine for low-speed hand tools, and is harder and sharper than alloy steel for such applications. Keep it covered with a thin film of oil, and never, ever turn it backwards to the cutting edges. The cutting edges can chip off easily if this happens.

[duck_arse]

I can't turn around without reamering something on a pedal case. pity mine is so knackered, especially around footswitch diameter..

[R.G.]

They're too useful not to get yours sharpened or get another one.

[Kipper4]

I guess its time to sign into evil bay and have a gander then.
Carbon steel it is and i think i'll get one upto 1/2" size i cant see me needing to go bigger than that. I think i saw one upto 16mm diamter.
Thanks for the turning tip RG. i wouldnt have thought of that.
i'll keep it in a plasic baggy with a thin coat of oil too.

[bluebunny]

This is the one I got myself:

  (<--clickable)

Pretty sure I got it from Rapid.  Looks like the same one as at Maplin, but of course, for three quid less!

[R.G.]

This is what you want:
http://www.harborfreight.com/t-handle-reamer-66936.html

Harbor Freight is our local cheap tools supplier. There are probably other sellers of similar things.

The longer the taper, the easier it is to use.

Also look for "T-Handle reamer". The T-handle gives you enough torque to do useful reaming.

[davent]

Indispensable, we don't have Harbor Freight up here either but there's no problems finding inexpensive ones in various store, i wouldn't think you'd need to resort to ebay to get yourself one.

My collection plus stepbits, need the big stuff for tube socket holes.

[HOTTUBES]

yep , this is a must have for pedal builders ... i also have one of these in my tool box at work too !!

[Kipper4]

Thanks Guys.
This is a big help.
I like the slow taper T handle ones. and the bigger ones because you never know i hope oneday to get round to doing tube stuff.
I've done some quick searches and it seems those are a lot more pricey than i thought for example they vary wildly between 6 quid for a cheap set of 2 upto 7/8" dia to over 30 quid for an identical single one. Although i think those are aimed at the surgical market.
I'm gonna keep looking because the tool places are dearer than the ebay ones right now and i dont want to pay through the nose for it.
Some really good info here guys.
Davent i want that PDF print out (tech drawing). With your posh photos.
Whats the tape for btw?

[davent]

Hello, Layout's for Joe Gagan's Skyripper in a 1590bb if you need one.

Tape on the step bits is simply there as an eyeball depth indicator so i don't overdrill the holes, easy to make'em bigger, shrinking them is a challenge. Photo was taken a long time ago for some other discussion and i can't think of why the roll of double stick tape was included, a discussion on making holes...?

Take care!
dave

[Kipper4]

I just love the excellant presentation of the layout and aspire to it.
I can do tech drawing by hand but have yet to master cad.
I see its double sided tape. I got what the tape on the step drill was for thanks since i was a joiner in a past life and wood turner.
i've only had one such problem so far and that was when i mismarked a box and ended up with one hole too many. Ooops
I still havent worked out how to make a feature of it.
Thanks and you take care too. I love all your differant fuzzs i've been watching the reviews on the tube.

[pappasmurfsharem]

This is what you want:
http://www.harborfreight.com/t-handle-reamer-66936.html

Harbor Freight is our local cheap tools supplier. There are probably other sellers of similar things.

The longer the taper, the easier it is to use.

Also look for "T-Handle reamer". The T-handle gives you enough torque to do useful reaming.

God I love harbor freight there is one a mile from my house

P.S.A!
THEY JUST HAD A FINANCIAL BREACH, KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR BANK STATEMENTS

[CodeMonk]

Harbor Freight is great.
Got one about 30 miles away (That's considered local where I live).

You can check out Enco as well : http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM

[Kipper4]

I went ahead and ordered a set of 2 hand tapered reamers off ebay.
Hopefully in future my led bezels will sit right and now I have a reamer for tube fitting (upto 7/8") when i get that far.

[Mark Hammer]

Had a T-handled one for years.  Every bit as handy as folks have described them to be.