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Boring Tools

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A precision tool used to enlarge or adjust the diameter of a hole with a smooth finish. Ideal for metalworking, machining, and maintenance, it ensures a perfect fit for parts.
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A complete guide to choosing your professional industrial reamers

What type of reamer should you choose: manual or machine, depending on your application?

The choice between hand reamers and machine reamers depends on the required precision, production volume, and available equipment. Hand reamers with a square shank are used with a tap wrench for manually reaming individual parts requiring adjustments on-site or in pre-assembled parts. Achievable tolerances of ±0.05 to ±0.15 mm are sufficient for standard fits. Prices range from $15 to $80 for diameters from 3 to 25 mm in high-speed steel (HSS).

Machine reamers with cylindrical or conical shanks, mounted in pillar drills, milling machines, or lathes, offer superior productivity for batches of identical parts. Rotation speeds range from 60 to 300 RPM depending on the material and diameter, with feed rates from 0.05 to 0.2 mm per revolution. Tolerances reach ±0.01 to ±0.03 mm for H7/g6 interference fits of bearings and bushings. Prices range from $40 to $150, justified by performance and repeatability in production.

Adjustable reamers with moving blades allow diameter adjustment from 0.5 to 2 mm, covering ranges from 10 to 50 mm. Their versatility eliminates the need for multiple inventories for various diameters. The investment, ranging from $120 to $299, is recouped through flexibility in workshops producing prototypes and a variety of one-off parts. For series production, fixed machine reamers offer superior precision. Manuals are essential for maintenance and repair.

Polar Industrial Equipment recommends acquiring both types for complete coverage of needs.

Materials and coatings: HSS, cobalt and TiN coatings for durability

High-speed steel (HSS) industrial reamers are ideal for general applications in mild steel, aluminum, and brass, with a hardness of 62-65 HRC. Their one-piece construction ensures rigidity and perfect concentricity. Cutting edges are ground at 5-10°, allowing for surface finishes from Ra 0.8 to 1.6 microns. Priced from $15 to $100 depending on the diameter, they offer optimal value for general workshops.

HSS-cobalt (5-8% cobalt) reamers increase hardness by 2-3 HRC and heat resistance for machining stainless steel, hardened steels, and abrasive materials. They offer 50-100% longer tool life in demanding applications compared to standard HSS. Their 40-70% price premium is justified by their performance in demanding materials that generate temperatures of 150-300°C during boring.

Reamers with TiN (titanium nitride) or TiAlN coatings increase surface hardness to 80-85 HRC, reducing friction and wear. A characteristic gold or purple color identifies the coatings. Cutting speeds are increased by 30-50%, and reamer life is tripled in stainless steels. Prices range from $60 to $200 for common diameters. For mild steel and aluminum, HSS is sufficient. For stainless steel and hard materials, cobalt or other coatings are recommended.

Polar Industrial Equipment stocks a variety of materials for adaptation according to specific metallurgical constraints.

Tolerances and accuracy classes: understanding H7, H8 and fits

The tolerances of industrial reamers determine the quality of the final fit between shafts and bores. Standard reamers produce H8 class bores with tolerances of ±0.02 to ±0.05 mm depending on the diameter for free sliding fits. Applications include roller bearings with clearances of 0.01 to 0.03 mm allowing rotation without excessive friction. Prices range from $20 to $80 for sufficient quality in general machining.

H7 precision reamers achieve tolerances of ±0.01 to ±0.02 mm for g6 or just h6 sliding press fits. Ideal for assemblies requiring precise positioning with no perceptible backlash, such as guide bushings and precision centering. A surface finish of Ra 0.4 to 0.8 microns eliminates visible machining marks. Priced from $50 to $150, reflecting rigorous quality control during manufacturing.

High-precision reamers produce H6 bores with tolerances of ±0.005 to ±0.01 mm for transition or light interference fits. Critical applications in instrumentation, metrology, and aerospace require absolute repeatability. Final edge grinding ensures perfect geometry.

Prices range from $100 to $299, justified by traceable certifications and complete documentation. Specify tolerance class according to functional criticality: H8 for standard applications, H7 for precise adjustments, H6 for extreme requirements.

Polar Industrial Equipment advises selection based on technical specifications of engineering plans.

Professional applications: bearings, bushings and mechanical fittings

Machinists use industrial reamers to finish bearing housings requiring H7 tolerances with diameters from 10 to 100 mm. Reaming after drilling and rough boring eliminates irregularities and eccentricity. Final concentricity below 0.02 mm guarantees bearing life of 5,000 to 20,000 hours without excessive vibration. Abundant lubrication with cutting oil during operation maintains acceptable temperatures.

Repair shops require reamers for restoring worn or ovalized holes in crankcases, engine blocks, and housings. Oversized reaming from 0.5 to 2 mm is followed by the installation of repair bushings. Adjustable reamers offer flexibility for non-standard dimensions that cannot be accommodated with fixed reamers. Significant savings are achieved by avoiding the complete replacement of costly components.

Equipment manufacturers require reamers for the mass production of mechanical parts with calibrated holes. Mounting on CNC milling machines or machining centers allows for automated boring of 50 to 500 parts per shift. Coolant cooling systems maintain reamer temperatures below 60°C, extending their lifespan. Statistical control with buffer gauges verifies 100% conformity of produced bores.

Polar Industrial Equipment supplies reamers adapted to specific production rates and quality requirements.

Maintenance and sharpening: extending the life of your reamers

Proper maintenance of industrial reamers preserves dimensional accuracy and cutting quality. Clean the edges after each use with a soft brush and degreasing solvent to remove stuck chips and cutting oil residue. Avoid hard wire brushes, which can damage delicate cutting edges. Thorough drying before storage prevents oxidation and reduces performance.

Inspect the cutting edges monthly under a 10x magnifying glass to identify chips, wear, or rounding that require professional resharpening. A diameter reduction of more than 0.05 mm or chips exceeding 0.2 mm necessitate replacement, as resharpening is impossible without specialized equipment. Visible wear on guide lengths indicates excessive friction, suggesting insufficient lubrication or inadequate speeds.

Store reamers individually in plastic tubes or case grooves, avoiding edge contact that can cause micro-damage. A dry environment with relative humidity below 50% prevents surface corrosion. Lightly applying protective oil to uncoated HSS reamers extends shelf life.

Avoid drops that cause imperceptible deformation compromising concentricity. Typical lifespan is 500 to 5000 bores depending on the materials used, operating techniques, and initial quality. Replace when production tolerances exceed specifications by ±20% or the surface finish visibly deteriorates.

Polar Industrial Equipment offers replacement reamers and technical advice for optimizing machining practices.
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We answer your questions about industrial reamers

Which reamer is best suited for finishing bearing housings in steel?

For steel bearing housings requiring H7 tolerances with diameters from 15 to 50 mm, choose machine reamers in HSS or HSS-cobalt mounted on a drill press.

Rotational speeds of 80 to 200 RPM with feed rates of 0.08 to 0.15 mm per revolution ensure optimal surface finish.

Recommended specifications:

• Type: Machine reamer with straight shank or Morse taper

• Material: HSS-cobalt for durability in steel

• Tolerance: H7 (±0.01–0.02 mm) for precise fits

• Lubrication: Abundant cutting oil during operation

Pre-drilling to 98% of the final diameter leaves an allowance of 0.2 to 0.5 mm for finishing. A constant feed without interruption produces a perfectly cylindrical surface with concentricity under 0.02 mm.

Équipement Industriel Polar recommends dimensional verification with inside micrometers to confirm compliance.

Do adjustable reamers offer the same precision as fixed reamers?

Adjustable reamers achieve tolerances of ±0.02 to ±0.05 mm, suitable for standard H8 fits, but are less precise than fixed reamers, which produce ±0.01 to ±0.02 mm for H7 class.

The adjustment mechanism introduces microscopic play of 0.005 to 0.01 mm, reducing rigidity and repeatability compared to solid reamers.

Performance comparison:

• Fixed reamers: Tolerances ±0.01 mm, concentricity 0.005 mm

• Adjustable reamers: Tolerances ±0.02–0.05 mm, concentricity 0.01–0.02 mm

• Adjustable advantage: Adjustment range of 0.5–2 mm eliminates multiple inventory sizes

• Optimal use for fixed: Serial production requiring H7 or tighter

For prototyping and single parts with varying diameters, adjustable reamers provide economic flexibility. For serial production of identical parts requiring tight fits, fixed reamers are essential.

Regular recalibration of adjustable reamers every 100 to 200 reaming operations maintains acceptable precision.

Équipement Industriel Polar advises selecting based on dimensional criticality and production volume.

What rotational speed should be used when reaming different materials?

Reaming speeds vary from 60 to 300 RPM depending on material and reamer diameter. Approximate formula: Speed (RPM) = (Cutting speed in m/min × 1000) / (π × Diameter in mm).

Typical cutting speeds: aluminum 80–120 m/min, mild steel 15–25 m/min, stainless steel 8–15 m/min.

Recommended speeds by material:

• Aluminum and brass: 200–300 RPM for diameters 10–25 mm

• Mild steel: 100–180 RPM for diameters 10–25 mm

• Stainless steel: 60–120 RPM for diameters 10–25 mm

• Cast iron: 80–150 RPM for diameters 10–25 mm

Feed rates of 0.05 to 0.2 mm per revolution depending on setup rigidity and desired finish. Excessive speeds generate temperatures of 150 to 400°C, hardening the material and prematurely wearing cutting edges.

Abundant lubrication with appropriate cutting oil maintains acceptable temperatures. Reduce speeds by 30 to 50% for large diameter reamers exceeding 50 mm.

Reaming speeds vary from 60 to 300 RPM depending on material and reamer diameter. Approximate formula: Speed (RPM) = (Cutting speed in m/min × 1000) / (π × Diameter in mm). Typical cutting speeds: aluminum 80–120 m/min, mild steel 15–25 m/min, stainless steel 8–15 m/min. Recommended speeds by material: • Aluminum and brass: 200–300 RPM for diameters 10–25 mm • Mild steel: 100–180 RPM for diameters 10–25 mm • Stainless steel: 60–120 RPM for diameters 10–25 mm • Cast iron: 80–150 RPM for diameters 10–25 mm Feed rates of 0.05 to 0.2 mm per revolution depending on setup rigidity and desired finish. Excessive speeds generate temperatures of 150 to 400°C, hardening the material and prematurely wearing cutting edges. Abundant lubrication with appropriate cutting oil maintains acceptable temperatures. Reduce speeds by 30 to 50% for large diameter reamers exceeding 50 mm.

Industrial reamers are covered by a manufacturer warranty ranging from 30 days to 1 year depending on the brand, covering manufacturing and material defects only.

Dimensional tolerances are verified during production but are not guaranteed against normal wear from intensive use. Cutting edges are wear components excluded from coverage.

Typical warranty coverage:

• Manufacturing defects: Cracks, incorrect geometry, excessive concentricity

• Materials: Insufficient hardness, defective coatings

• Exclusions: Normal edge wear, chipping due to improper use

• Équipement Industriel Polar policy: 30-day return on unused product

For warranty claims, keep proof of purchase and the defective reamer for inspection. Defects appearing during initial use are replaced at no cost. Damage caused by excessive speeds, insufficient lubrication, or inappropriate materials is excluded.

Free technical support is available at 1-800-567-3206 for selection advice, machining parameters, and techniques to extend lifespan and maximize return on investment.

How can I extend the lifespan of my industrial reamers?

Extend lifespan by using abundant lubrication with cutting oils adapted to the material.

A flow rate of 0.5 to 2 liters per minute depending on diameter keeps temperature below 80°C, preventing material hardening and thermal wear of edges. Clean cutting edges immediately after use to remove adhered chips.

Essential maintenance practices:

• Generous lubrication during reaming reducing friction by 60–70%

• Constant feed without interruption preventing circular marks

• Post-use cleaning with solvent and soft brush

• Individual storage in protective tubes preventing impacts

Avoid reversing rotation direction during reaming, which can chip cutting edges. Accurate pre-drilling to 98% of final diameter leaves an optimal allowance of 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

Excess allowance above 1 mm overloads the reamer and reduces lifespan by 50%. Inspect monthly under magnification to detect wear requiring replacement before quality degradation.

Typical lifespan ranges from 500 to 5000 reaming operations depending on usage discipline.

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