Reaming cast iron

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Thinking here of valve guides

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

When reaming cast iron, do you lubricate (further) or not? Oil, flood, cutting, tallow/graphite … anything else?

Topic came up elsewhere. 'ONLY dry' was stipulated, but I was thinking more like often not necessary but still optional. I would use oil, but willing to learn!

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Always dry for me, it is deemed to be self lubricating.

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

No Lubrication required. I think if you did use oil it would make a right mess to clean off the reamer.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Same as Chris, I've done it dry in all the cylinder heads I have machined

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

Dry

[Alan Wilkinson 1Participant @alanwilkinson1]

using oil makes the reamer cut tight but gives a good finish

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Dry, oil + cast iron dust = grinding paste

George.

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

Rocol RTD* liquid used for parallel & taper pin reamers into machine tool castings where I last worked.

Nigel B

* Reaming Tapping Drilling

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I machine CI dry for almost all operations due to the graphite content (as I indicated in my OP) . The only time I use (extra) lube is thread cutting, mainly because the tool catches the 'grinding paste', particularly in blind holes – thus minimising dust into the atmosphere (if needed to be blown out). It was only for the purpose of reaming, not general machining (including boring) that I was asking about, as there is such minimal material removed.

Removing oil from a tap is easy enough, so I would anticipate no paricular problem with a reamer. Solvent for the oil or detergent in an ultrasonic cleaner easily suffices, if total clealiness is required.

Thanx to Alan and Nigel B for the confirmation that, while not necessarily rrequired, oil or cutting fluid can be appropriate.

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