Questions on Making Reamers at Home

[Cane_man]

i want to try and make some reamers at home... all i have is a small hobby lathe... i want to start making straight edged reamers first for be able to bore out precise holes for die bodies, them eventually move on the ogive reamers... i have searched the archives but i still have few questions...

i will be making D shaped reamers from drill rod:

-what is the best material to use at home, W1, O1?

-do i simply turn the rod the correct diameter, and then use a bench grinder to make the D shape?

-not sure what the "rake" is, and how long should the cutting surface be?

-can i use a torch to harden the reamer when i am finished?

-is the cutting edge honed after hardening?

i know this is basic information for many of you, but these details are escaping me right now and any advice/help/experience you can share will be much appreciated...

[Reload3006]

both of those steels will make a good reamer. I am curious on how you plan to flute and grind them with a small hobby lathe?

[teddyblu]

68430

[Cane_man]

both of those steels will make a good reamer. I am curious on how you plan to flute and grind them with a small hobby lathe?

me too

[Cane_man]

68430

awesome

-did you turn it it down to the bullet OD first (or a few thousands less)?

-how did you shape the ogive?

-did you grind the "D" shape down with a bench top grinder?

[teddyblu]

6849068491

The radius grinder is a rotozip tool
with a 1 1/2 inch wheel and run at the 20000 rpm, higher leads to vibration. It is locked to make the straight grinding and unlocked to use as a manual operated radius grinder.
This is a 308 D bit and ground to 0. 304.
The reamer is cut to half thickness on a mill but can be done on a grinding wheel,when close to thickness use a file to keep flat and mike frequently to maintain thickness.

[Cane_man]

teddy, thank you i understand now...

[courtelserio]

I found the info at this website helpful:

http://personal.geeksnet.com/soderstrom/ReamerMaking/HowImakechamberreamers.htm