Cutting fluid when reaming

[Alexander EdbladParticipant @alexanderedblad56890]

[Alexander EdbladParticipant @alexanderedblad56890]

Hi all

 

What type of cutting fluid do you recommend for reaming? I remember using denatured alcohol in school (for machining of course) but I’m not sure that was the correct fluid to use.

 

Alex

 

 

[Sam StonesParticipant @samstones42903]

Alex,

 

We would need to know what metal you are reaming.

 

Brass would be done dry. Aluminium works well with paraffin or similar, but should not be cut dry otherwise is will gum up pretty quickly. I’ve forgotten most of the others, so I’ll leave it for the experts who do know.

 

Sam

[Sam StonesParticipant @samstones42903]

Alex,

 

Another thought or two about hand reaming :- 

 

Always keep the reamer turning clockwise, even when removing it from the workpiece.

 

In other words, don’t reverse the direction of the reamer like you would when tapping a hole and/or withdrawing a tap. Swarf will wedge against the relief angle, with varying consequences.

 

Sam 

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Alex,

 

Almost all materials require it’s own sort of cutting agent, but you can’t go far wrong if you buy yourself a bottle of cutting and tapping fluid.

 

You don’t need to flood the whole area with it, just a light coating will do.

 

It is designed to take the high pressures involved with tapping and very heavy cutting, but it is just as good for reaming and drilling.

 

For the average amount a person does in the shop, a bottle can easily last a couple of years, so doesn’t work out too expensive when spread over that time, and of course it will do you for the other jobs as well.

 

Tapping oil

 

And another

 

 

Hope this helps

 

 

Bogs

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