Fixed shank is the last think I want (but unfortunately have). It enables you to use it on other machines, also lathe, lathe tailstock for offset taper turning, using for ball turning. Probably other things too.

I run a GH Universal with a removable shank 50mm boring head with no troubles. The shanks have a large flange which the body is screwed up to, thus forming a very rigid assembly. Manufacturers make them like this as it is more cost effective and mine was originally a 3MT mount for my previous mill. More important is the cutting bits you use and the grind on them, the bits supplied with most of these heads are pretty poor our of the box.

The brazed carbide tools work well enough and can be shaped into "specials" such as a chamfering one and a concave/convex one. Though they do benifit from a touch up before use and care to ensure there is no rubbing.

Mostly I use an indexable holder in my boring head, I have a set of 3 by Glanze and they work very well

Mine are all separate body and shank, even a top end Wohlhaupter boring and facing heads comes with separate shank so if it's good enough for them…………

As mentioned above a boring head is a good way to offset your tailstock for taper turning without disturbing the tailstock from it's base. I have 50mm and 2" heads and R8 and MT3 shanks so can use 1/2" and 12mm tools in three mills and the lathe tailstock, sleeve takes it upto MT4 if I want to use it in the lathe spindle.

Edited By JasonB on 02/03/2023 12:05:39

Arc Euro trade do heads with HSS cutters & sell the seperate HSS cutters. Can't comment further as i do not have & have not tried~ probably of Chinese origin also (as most will be) but their HSS lathe tools and blanks are good enough.

Need a boring head myself, still wondering about making one, looks more time consuming than genuinely difficult??