Time for another reamer thread...

[tobnpr]

So, I picked up a handful of reamers from an estate sale. First time I've ever bought used- but price was right and they're all "brand" (JGS, Manson and PTG).
Visually, they all look good- and "feel" sharp but not being one to take chances with an unknown reamer on a $400 barrel I plan to send them all to Manson.

To my questions..
A couple of them are solid pilot. I was going to have them converted to live, but then thought "why"? I didn't use to drill/bore, but since going that route a year or so ago I don't see how the pilot's needed. If the reamer follows the bored hole (and assuming the bore isn't significantly undersize to cause a problem with a .0005 under pilot) what difference if solid, live, or no pilot at all on a new chamber job?

Anyone use TiN coated reamers? A lot carbide discussion, but I'm happy with HSS. I've used TiN coated drill bits forever and I'm sold on it. I'm thinking of having all of these done (as well as new purchases and resharps). Haven't seen TiN discussed before here...

Thoughts?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Your thinking is right about the pilot. Although I like a snug pilot on 5r with standard reamers. I'm no expert but in my experience coated tools are not as sharp as non coated. I dont know if the coating rounds the edge or if the edge must be round to coat it. Either way, I like non coated and have yet to wear out a reamer.

 

[boltfluter]

I would save your money on the TiN coating. Imho, not needed as barrel steel is quite soft in the machining world.
Paul

 

[jkohler]

As far as reamer pilot’s I personally don’t even use them anymore. don’t have to worry about oil flow with the threw flush ether.

 

[tobnpr]

Thanks, gentlemen.
Interesting feedback on the TiN coating, I'll take the advice and pass on it.

 

[jackieschmidt]

The cost of converting a HSS reamer to a live pilot would be prohibitive.
I can’t imagine drilling and tapping the the end for the screw that most manufacturers use to secure the pilot bushing.

The purpose of the live pilot is to get as close of a fit as possible In the lands Of the barrel. I only own one solid pilot reamer, a 30/06, and it was obviously designed to fit in the minimum bore diameter that one might ever encounter In a barrel.

In the Krieger barrel I chambered with it, it had over .001 clearance.

 

[Ray Gross]

The cost of converting a HSS reamer to a live pilot would be prohibitive.
I can’t imagine drilling and tapping the the end for the screw that most manufacturers use to secure the pilot bushing.

The purpose of the live pilot is to get as close of a fit as possible In the lands Of the barrel. I only own one solid pilot reamer, a 30/06, and it was obviously designed to fit in the minimum bore diameter that one might ever encounter In a barrel.

In the Krieger barrel I chambered with it, it had over .001 clearance.

With the unloved c-clip, the conversion can be done for $40.

 

[jackieschmidt]

With the unloved c-clip, the conversion can be done for $40.

I didn’t think of that. I have never owned a reamer with a C-clip.

 

[DaveTooley]

So, I picked up a handful of reamers from an estate sale. First time I've ever bought used- but price was right and they're all "brand" (JGS, Manson and PTG).
Visually, they all look good- and "feel" sharp but not being one to take chances with an unknown reamer on a $400 barrel I plan to send them all to Manson.

To my questions..
A couple of them are solid pilot. I was going to have them converted to live, but then thought "why"? I didn't use to drill/bore, but since going that route a year or so ago I don't see how the pilot's needed. If the reamer follows the bored hole (and assuming the bore isn't significantly undersize to cause a problem with a .0005 under pilot) what difference if solid, live, or no pilot at all on a new chamber job?

Anyone use TiN coated reamers? A lot carbide discussion, but I'm happy with HSS. I've used TiN coated drill bits forever and I'm sold on it. I'm thinking of having all of these done (as well as new purchases and resharps). Haven't seen TiN discussed before here...

Thoughts?

I've used coated reamers from Manson. I stopped having them coated about 15 years ago. I don't remember why but I must of had a reason. The ones I got from PT&G had the cutting edge finished after coating. So the face of the flute was the only thing coated. Never understood that.

 

[55fairlane]

I recently had this discussion with another tool maker (like myself) ,who is a "gunsmith" has his own business ect.....our conclusions TiN coated HSS tools are worth the cost, but for non production use, not really necessary.
Pilots on tools....this is another great debate.....a piloted tool, like a machine reamer,a chamber reamer, a drill ect, MUST follow the bore, and will self center, regardless of how far under sized the pilot is in comparison to the bore.

 

[JFrank]

Here’s another dumb question if I may, are all HSS reamer from JGS live pilot , solid pilot or no pilot ?

 

[jkohler]

Here’s another dumb question if I may, are all HSS reamer from JGS live pilot , solid pilot or no pilot ?

when you order they will ask you what style you’d like.

 

[LVLAaron]

Here’s another dumb question if I may, are all HSS reamer from JGS live pilot , solid pilot or no pilot ?

Downloads

Below you will find relevant information and downloads pertaining to JGS Precision products. Click on the links to find out more. Price List (3/14/2024 update) Floating Reamer Holders Floating Reamer Holder Warranty Speeds and Feeds Bushing Sets Headspace Gauge Interchangeability Shop Tolerances...

www.jgsprecision.com

Check out their catalog, they spell it all out

 

[JFrank]

Downloads

Below you will find relevant information and downloads pertaining to JGS Precision products. Click on the links to find out more. Price List (3/14/2024 update) Floating Reamer Holders Floating Reamer Holder Warranty Speeds and Feeds Bushing Sets Headspace Gauge Interchangeability Shop Tolerances...

www.jgsprecision.com

Check out their catalog, they spell it all out

Thank you.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I've used coated reamers from Manson. I stopped having them coated about 15 years ago. I don't remember why but I must of had a reason. The ones I got from PT&G had the cutting edge finished after coating. So the face of the flute was the only thing coated. Never understood that.

A customer sent me a jgs reamer that was coated. Another smith had him order it this way, he chambered on cnc. Well this thing was so dull I couldn't use it. I called jgs and they looked it up and it was coated after finishing. They said that's why it was not very sharp. Probably ok under cnc feed but not manual. It would make sense that the coating would round the edge some.