Making a tiny reamer

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

At some point in the near future I will need a 2mm reamer for a one off job.

I have made 'toolmakers' reamers in the past by filing silver steel down at an angle – but not often, and in larger sizes only.

Any hints/suggestions on making such a tiny reamer, particularly the best way to hold it while making and what speed to run it at

No hurry as only just ordered the 2mm silver steel.

Thanks

Nick

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Hold it in a pin vice. Or a drill chuck held in the vice with soft jaws etc.

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

Hi Nick

I know it might not be in the spirit of doing everything yourself, but you can buy a 2mm chucking reamer in the UK for less than £2 post free on Ebay, even if the quality is not perfect I think at that price I would be tempted to buy one and try a test hole before making one.

Phil

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Phil P on 02/06/2019 10:14:49:

Hi Nick

I know it might not be in the spirit of doing everything yourself, but you can buy a 2mm chucking reamer in the UK for less than £2 post free on Ebay, even if the quality is not perfect I think at that price I would be tempted to buy one and try a test hole before making one.

Phil

Thanks Phil – I saw those – my thinking was as a 2mm silver steel shaft has to run in the hole making a reamer from the same steel might mean the size was more accurate.

This is all tiny stuff for me!

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Big, small, tool makers reamer is the way I usually go, usually with the same steel as the shaft that will fit the hole. For a one off hole(maybe two or three) in brass or aluminium I sometimes get away unhardened.

Ian S C

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rwl-e_KI4U

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rwl-e_KI4U

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by John Reese on 02/06/2019 18:31:45:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rwl-e_KI4UT

Thanks John – With the larger reamers I have made I have just held them in fibre jaws in the vice and filed a single flat and I was wondering how to hold such a thin piece for filing without bending it.

I will probably make a similar holder, but I'm waiting for the silver steel to arrive as I said, so not done it yet (apologies to the member NDIY)

Thanks again,

Nick

Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 02/06/2019 19:01:08

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Swiss Broaches are good to have – Not strictly reamers, as they leave a tapered hole, but in thin components, the taper is negligible. Ideal for changing carburettor jet sizes by a gnats whisker etc.

**LINK**

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

Hold it in soft jaws in a vise with only enough projecting to file the point. Hold it in a pin vise or small chuck when reaming,

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