floating reamer holder?

[NickF]

What is the general consensus about these? I've been using a t-handle and a dead center in my tailstock and it works out fine. Is it time to swtich? or stick with the t-handle. TIA

Nick F.

 

[tmbryant]

As long as your reamer doesn't try to cut oversize, then there isn't a problem with pushing the reamer with a dead center. When you have the reamer into the bottom of the chamber, remove the pressure from the dead center and see if the reamer can move laterally. If it moves, then the reamer has cut an oversize chamber. This is usually caused by tailstock misalignment or the bore of the barrel not in the center of the headstock.

I use what amounts to a tube to push against the t-handle of the reamer. The tailstock doesn't try to guide the reamer, but only pushes it forward. The tube is .020" larger than the reamer shank. The tube only pushes against the t-handle and doesn't touch the reamer on the side or end of the reamer. This way if the tailstock doesn't happen to be absolutely in line with the center of the lathe spindle, it doesn't matter much. Pushing with the tube, seems to help prevent the reamer from cutting oversize.

 

[NickF]

Thanks for the reply Mike. I hadn't seen that kind of setup before. Sure looks easy enough to impliment. I think I'll give it a try.

Regards,
Nick F.