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Carbide Chamber Reamers

tclaunch

Silver $$ Contributor
I have been asked to assist a good friend who has ordered a carbide reamer. Never seen or used one, if anyone can give some things to be aware of I`d appreciate it. My wobbly South Bend H10 is old school, no flush system, so fire away....:) Thanks for any useful comments.

I normally pre bore, to between .005" to .015" below chamber size. Are the bushings interchangeable with HSS reamers?
 
My PTG carbide reamer has a bushing that is twice as long as my HSS reamers from PTG. They are held on with a E clip not a screw. Carbide reamer bushings have passages for a flush system on the bushing. They are not the same.

Cancel the order and buy a standard bushing reamer I made the mistake and own a complete bushing set for HHS and carbide reamers. I only own 1 carbide reamer and it was order by accident and is unnecessary for a weekend smith. My work is done on a 1963 heavy 10.

John
 
What cartridge are you going to cut with the carbide and is it a stainless or chromemoly barrel ?
 
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tclaunch said:
Stainless barrel BR-Ackley chamber.
Click to expand...
The only reason I ask , is I have a large assortment of reamers a would offer you use if I have the oone you need . I had a pressure flush, don't use it , had mist , don't use it . I chamber like you , and have better results . Could be just what I'm use to , slow and slower , my 2 speeds .
I've had carbide stick on more than a few barrels , tried different fluid , speeds etc. . I never used them previously so I'm sure it was my technique.
Gary
 
Gary, I've been using carbide tool bits, brazed and insert since the mid '60s. Just off the top of my head, 400 series stainless, using 1/2" diameter reamer, chambering speeds should be in the neighborhood of 600 to 700 rpm. I've run some of the old LeBlonds, G&L and Clausing lathes as fast as they'd go, 1200 or so rpm, cutting 1" diameter rod, dry, cut like butter. Chambering with carbide, to keep the heat manageable, a flush system is almost a necessity. I'm with you though, slow and steady with hhs reamers. :)
 
hogpatrol said:
Gary, I've been using carbide tool bits, brazed and insert since the mid '60s. Just off the top of my head, 400 series stainless, using 1/2" diameter reamer, chambering speeds should be in the neighborhood of 600 to 700 rpm. I've run some of the old LeBlonds, G&L and Clausing lathes as fast as they'd go, 1200 or so rpm, cutting 1" diameter rod, dry, cut like butter. Chambering with carbide, to keep the heat manageable, a flush system is almost a necessity. I'm with you though, slow and steady with hhs reamers. :)
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That's probably my problem, I was running the carbide too slow . I was too lazy to reassemble ( find ) all the parts to to pressure system.
Dark sulfur cutting fluid and 600-700 works for me ( HSS) although it takes about 4-8 hrs to chamber . Good thing I'm retired .
 
I have a couple carbide reamers. They leave a mirror finish. Beautiful cut. I chamber at 250 rpm with oil flush either carbide or hss. However in my experience because your not running these reamers how they are designed to be ran, they can want to chatter. How they are ground is important as well. A customer sent me a spiral fluted carbide reamer from a newer grinder and there was nothing I could do to stop the chatter. Finally got to the bottom of it, the manufacture had ground it for cnc use at very high speeds. I have a 6BRA in carbide if you want to try it. I prefer hss myself.
 
6fatrat said:
The only guys that I know that use carbide reamers are the shops that are doing a large number of AR platform barrels.
I have been using HSS for over 34 years with 0 problems.
Steve Bair
Click to expand...

Just wondering what rpm they're running with the carbide reamers. With a flush system, I'm guessing 600 to 800 or higher.
 
tclaunch said:
I have been asked to assist a good friend who has ordered a carbide reamer. Never seen or used one, if anyone can give some things to be aware of I`d appreciate it. My wobbly South Bend H10 is old school, no flush system, so fire away....:) Thanks for any useful comments.

I normally pre bore, to between .005" to .015" below chamber size. Are the bushings interchangeable with HSS reamers?
Click to expand...


if you are properly indicated and prebored, throw the bushing away. The reamer will follow your prebored hole.
 
So . . . in the opinion of you guys, piloted reamers are for those who are not capable of correctly indicating a bore in. Is that the jist of it?
 
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