Reamers & Reamer Drill Bits

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Reamer Drill Bits Explored

Definition: Reamers and reamer drill bits are tools used to make existing holes bigger and more precise. Instead of drilling new holes, these are designed to smooth and widen holes that have already been made - giving them a very accurate size and a smooth finish. Consequently, Reamers have straight or spiral cutting edges along their length to remove small amounts of material from the hole’s walls as well, and are commonly used in metalworking, woodworking, and engineering when a precise fit is needed for parts like bolts or shafts for example.

How to Choose the Correct Reamer Drill Bit For You?

Brand-new reamer drill bits are essential power tool accessories used in various industries for precision hole enlargement.

As a result, these high-quality Reamer Bits are designed to fine-tune the size and shape of an existing drilled hole, ensuring that you get smooth finishes and exact hole diameters as a result.

Unlike standard drill bits, reamers — also known as Drill Reamers or Reamer Tools — provide you with a much superior accuracy, which is especially useful when working with materials like Stainless Steel for example.

Consequently, understanding how reamer drill bits function, the types available to you, and their proper usage can then significantly improve the quality of your work in mechanical, manufacturing, or DIY projects, so let us help you find the right reamer drill bit for you.

What Are Reamer Drill Bits?

Let's first start off by working out what a Reamer drill bit actually is. Consequently, these are specialised tools engineered to finish holes by removing minimal material from the walls of an existing borehole.

High Quality Materials

Generally, they are made from high-quality materials like high-speed steel (HSS reamer) and carbide-tipped alloys, as their primary purpose is not to create new holes but rather to enlarge or smooth a pre-drilled hole to the exact measurements you require.

High Precision

As a result, these tools really are indispensable when you need precision, particularly in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and metalworking to name a couple - especially when working with tough materials like Stainless Steel.

Various Sizes

They also come in various sizes and shapes, including Hand Reamers and Pipe Reamers, each tailored to a specific application.

For instance, their flutes — the grooves along the tool's body — can be Straight Flute or spiral, differing from those of regular drill bits, and in turn, offering you a lot more control over the material removal without excessive cutting needed as a result.

Guhring 11.2mm Uncoated Machine Reamer No. 496

How Did Reamer Drill Bits Come About?

The concept of reaming in metalwork dates back centuries, and it improved as machining technology did, along with the needs of the model engineer.

Early reamers, for instance, were manually operated Hand Reamers, often included in basic Tool Sets, and primarily used for woodworking and simple metalworking tasks.

The 19th and 20th centuries then saw significant advancements in reaming technology, with High-Speed Steel (HSS) and Carbide materials being introduced.

These innovations then allowed for a greater tool life on the whole, with sharper cutting edges and the ability to handle harder materials like Stainless Steel, all while enhancing the performance of Woodworking Drill Bits and other Power Tool Accessories.

How Do Reamer Drill Bits Work?

Reamer drill bits function by shaving off tiny amounts of material from the interior of a pre-drilled hole - a process essential in small-hole drilling applications.

The flutes of the reamer then cut gently into the walls, smoothing and enlarging the hole diameter to the desired size as a result.

Smooth Finish

This action then gives you a fine surface finish, unlike regular drill bits or Step Drill Bits, which can leave rough or uneven edges.

Pilot Hole

You want to start ideally with a pilot hole — which is drilled slightly smaller than the intended final drill diameter.

The reamer then acts as a hole opener and is then inserted into the drilled hole, either by hand or with a machine, and rotated with steady pressure.

It then progressively removes material as it moves through the hole.

Precise

This cutting process is precise and requires minimal force, as reamers are designed to work with very tight tolerances.

Typically, reamers remove just a few thousandths of an inch of material, which is critical for applications where even minor dimensional discrepancies can impact the overall performance of the mechanical components.

Types of Reamer Drill Bits

Reamer drill bits come in several types, each suited to different applications.

As a result, you want to select the appropriate type for you based on several factors, such as material, hole size, and your desired finish.

For instance, here are some of the most common types you can get:

Interstate 11.5mm MT1 HSS BS328 Machine Chucking Reamer

Machine Reamers

Machine Reamers are designed for use in drill presses, milling machines, or CNC machines.

As a result, these reamers can achieve more consistent and faster results in high-volume production settings, especially.

This is because they typically feature straight Flutes or spiral flutes, depending on the material being worked on.

Machine reamers can often come with a Straight Shank, Taper Shank, or Hex Shank for compatibility with various Drill chunks as well.

As a result, they are ideal for industries like automotive and aerospace manufacturing, where precision really is key.

Adjustable Reamers

As their name suggests, Adjustable Reamers have a flexible diameter range.

This is because they consist of blades that can be expanded or contracted to fit specific hole sizes - making them great for various tasks.

Consequently, these are very handy when different-sized holes need reaming without the need to purchase multiple reamers or reamer sets.

Hand Reamers

Hand Reamers are designed to be used manually and are equipped with a handle or a T-handle for turning or are connected to a hand-powered drill.

Consequently, they feature a slightly tapered cutting edge, allowing for a smoother entry into the hole.

These are also typically used in low-volume operations - or by hobbyists and model engineers - for tasks like reaming metal pipes or as part of woodworking drill bit sets, for example.

Taper Reamers

Tapered Reamers are then used to create smooth tapered holes, which are wider at the top than at the bottom.

Here, common types include Morse Taper Reamers, which are often used in machinery assembly to fit tapered pins or shafts, for instance.

Key Differences Between Reamer Drill Bits and Regular Drill Bits

At first glance, reamer drill bits and regular drill bits — such as HSS Drills or Carbide Drills — may seem similar, but they serve vastly different functions.

For instance, drill bits are designed to remove large amounts of material to create a hole, while reamers, or reaming drill bits, are meant to remove minimal material to finish or fine-tune an existing hole diameter.

Here are some primary differences:

Accuracy

Reamers provide you with tighter tolerances than drill bits.

Surface Finish

Reamers give you a smoother finish than standard drill bits can.

  

Material Removal

Drill bits cut away significant material, whereas reamers remove a very thin layer for refinement.

Materials Used in Reamer Drill Bits

Reamer drill bits are constructed from various materials, each suited for specific tasks and materials being worked on.

Here you need to select the right material as the material type used in its construction will impact the tool's life and performance as a result.

As a result, common materials they are made from can include:

High-Speed Steel (HSS)

Known for its toughness, HSS is widely used in general-purpose reamers.

High-speed steel reamers can, for instance, withstand the heat generated by high-speed machining and are suitable for soft metals, wood, and plastics.

This is because they offer you a good balance between cost and strength, making them a very popular choice for both professionals and DIYers alike.

Carbide

Tungsten carbide - or carbide-tipped - reamers are much harder and more wear-resistant than HSS is - making them ideal for high-precision reaming of hard metals like Stainless Steel or titanium, as a result.

Carbide reamers then maintain their sharp edges for longer, improving the tool life as a result.

Cobalt Steel

An alloy with added cobalt content, this material provides you with greater heat resistance and durability than standard HSS, making it useful for tougher metals.

How to Choosing the Right Reamer Drill Bit?

Interstate 11.5mm Straight Shank Spiral Flute Chucking Reamer

Selecting the appropriate reamer drill bit for your application requires understanding the material, hole size, and desired surface finish you are after.

So, whether you are adding to your drill set or purchasing a Reamer Set as part of your power tool accessories, here are some factors to consider:

Material Compatibility

Here you want to ensure the reamer material (HSS, carbide, etc.) matches the workpiece material it will be worked on.

Tolerance Requirements

Choose a reamer capable of achieving the precision needed for the job.

For instance, high-quality tool sets often include reamers designed for tight tolerances for example.

Volume of Work

For high-production environments, machine reamers offer you better efficiency compared to hand reamers.

Hole Size

Adjustable reamers may be the best option for variable hole sizes, while fixed-size reamers are more precise for consistent dimensions.

Applications of Reamer Drill Bits

Reamer drill bits are utilised in many industries and applications where precision hole sizing is needed.

Some common uses, for instance, include:

Automotive

Ensuring the exact fit of engine components, cylinder bores, and drive shafts, reamers are often used alongside Carbide Drills and Centre Drills to achieve the best results.

Aerospace

Precision reaming in aircraft manufacturing for parts like wing assemblies and turbine blades, as well as for signal conditioning systems as these all often require precise hole diameters for sensor placement especially.

Construction

Reaming is also ideal for steel beams or metal reinforcements for bolt and pin fitment.

Woodworking

Here, they create smooth, round holes in hardwood or plywood for furniture construction.

Woodworking Drill Bits, including Tapered Reamers, are also used for aesthetic and structural purposes here as well.

Contact Customer Support

If you are still not sure which masonry drill bit is right for you or you need help, then please contact our team, and we will be happy to help you understand which ones are perfect for you and your team.

MSC Direct's team

Standard Delivery

We have also extended our ordering hours to offer you next working day delivery, making your shipping experience even easier.

Place your order online by 7 p.m. and choose the delivery option that suits you best to ensure the timely, hassle-free arrival of your products.

Standard next-day delivery is also available for all products ordered within the specified time, with Free delivery for certain items as well.

Who Is MSC Direct?

Here at MSC Industrial Supply Co., we are a leading supplier of industrial tools, equipment, and maintenance supplies across the United Kingdom and can also offer you trade accounts.

As a result, we can offer you a vast selection of similar products, including indexable drill bodies, cutting tools, abrasives, power tools, Reamer tools, and safety equipment, many of which are available with special offers.

We also serve a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and engineering to maintenance and beyond.

Consequently, our outstanding customer service and expert technical team, fast delivery times, and technical support make us a trusted partner for all your business needs as a result.