Probably should've asked before purchasing, but I have a carbide reamer on order. Don't hear a lot of people using them. Did I screw up?
Gunsmithing Carbide reamers
- Thread starter HoytFlinger
- Start date
Re: Carbide reamers
No, just be real careful with so you don't break it. Carbide is very hard, and not very forgiving when dropped or bound.
No, just be real careful with so you don't break it. Carbide is very hard, and not very forgiving when dropped or bound.
Re: Carbide reamers
I think you kinda goofed.
Carbide is beautiful when used as intended - for high speed production type machining.
For onesies and twosies work particularly at low spindle speeds, HSS produces better surface finish, and is more forgiving.
Carbide is a lot more money for no reason, to someone only cutting a few chambers.
Were it me, I'd pay the $15 order change fee and go HSS.
I think you kinda goofed.
Carbide is beautiful when used as intended - for high speed production type machining.
For onesies and twosies work particularly at low spindle speeds, HSS produces better surface finish, and is more forgiving.
Carbide is a lot more money for no reason, to someone only cutting a few chambers.
Were it me, I'd pay the $15 order change fee and go HSS.
Re: Carbide reamers
I don't have the skills or equipment to do it so that will have to be all up to the smith.
I don't have the skills or equipment to do it so that will have to be all up to the smith.
Re: Carbide reamers
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think you kinda goofed.
Carbide is beautiful when used as intended - for high speed production type machining.
For onesies and twosies work particularly at low spindle speeds, HSS produces better surface finish, and is more forgiving.
Carbide is a lot more money for no reason, to someone only cutting a few chambers.
Were it me, I'd pay the $15 order change fee and go HSS. </div></div>
I just ordered it last night so maybe it ain't too late.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think you kinda goofed.
Carbide is beautiful when used as intended - for high speed production type machining.
For onesies and twosies work particularly at low spindle speeds, HSS produces better surface finish, and is more forgiving.
Carbide is a lot more money for no reason, to someone only cutting a few chambers.
Were it me, I'd pay the $15 order change fee and go HSS. </div></div>
I just ordered it last night so maybe it ain't too late.
Re: Carbide reamers
I assume your talking about a chamber reamer. What is your reason for requesting carbide? I havent run into a situation that high speed steel was not up to the task. As STR mentioned carbide is very brittle and can chip or break if not handled properly. Oh carbidde is more $$ too
I assume your talking about a chamber reamer. What is your reason for requesting carbide? I havent run into a situation that high speed steel was not up to the task. As STR mentioned carbide is very brittle and can chip or break if not handled properly. Oh carbidde is more $$ too
Re: Carbide reamers
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 73 fastback</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I assume your talking about a chamber reamer. What is your reason for requesting carbide? I havent run into a situation that high speed steel was not up to the task. As STR mentioned carbide is very brittle and can chip or break if not handled properly. Oh carbidde is more $$ too </div></div>
I just sent PT&G a change request to HSS. Yeah it does cost more, paid $199 last night. I am stupid and got caught up on some site that was talking of the benefits of carbide. I should've asked first.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 73 fastback</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I assume your talking about a chamber reamer. What is your reason for requesting carbide? I havent run into a situation that high speed steel was not up to the task. As STR mentioned carbide is very brittle and can chip or break if not handled properly. Oh carbidde is more $$ too </div></div>
I just sent PT&G a change request to HSS. Yeah it does cost more, paid $199 last night. I am stupid and got caught up on some site that was talking of the benefits of carbide. I should've asked first.
Re: Carbide reamers
Carbide will last much longer and give a better cut if you know what you're doing. It is more brittle than HSS, but you've really got to do something stupid to break one.
Carbide will last much longer and give a better cut if you know what you're doing. It is more brittle than HSS, but you've really got to do something stupid to break one.
Re: Carbide reamers
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HoytFlinger</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 73 fastback</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I assume your talking about a chamber reamer. What is your reason for requesting carbide? I havent run into a situation that high speed steel was not up to the task. As STR mentioned carbide is very brittle and can chip or break if not handled properly. Oh carbidde is more $$ too </div></div>
I just sent PT&G a change request to HSS. Yeah it does cost more, paid $199 last night. I am stupid and got caught up on some site that was talking of the benefits of carbide. I should've asked first. </div></div>
I'm sorry, I should have given you more than I did in the way of an informative answer. I just didn't want to assume what your purpose was. You did good to reorder an HSS reamer. Properly used with good lube, it will more than pay for it self many times over. Carbide is made to work under extreme temperatures created by high speeds even when the material is under pressurized lubrication.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HoytFlinger</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 73 fastback</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I assume your talking about a chamber reamer. What is your reason for requesting carbide? I havent run into a situation that high speed steel was not up to the task. As STR mentioned carbide is very brittle and can chip or break if not handled properly. Oh carbidde is more $$ too </div></div>
I just sent PT&G a change request to HSS. Yeah it does cost more, paid $199 last night. I am stupid and got caught up on some site that was talking of the benefits of carbide. I should've asked first. </div></div>
I'm sorry, I should have given you more than I did in the way of an informative answer. I just didn't want to assume what your purpose was. You did good to reorder an HSS reamer. Properly used with good lube, it will more than pay for it self many times over. Carbide is made to work under extreme temperatures created by high speeds even when the material is under pressurized lubrication.
Re: Carbide reamers
Like others have said if your doing just a couple of chambers then HSS will be fine.
I use both here. For the chambers that I do alot of I use carbide. The down side to them is you have to buy seperate pilots.
Like others have said if your doing just a couple of chambers then HSS will be fine.
I use both here. For the chambers that I do alot of I use carbide. The down side to them is you have to buy seperate pilots.
Re: Carbide reamers
Carbide is fine but, you have to run it differently that HSS (spindle RPM)
All I use are HSS finish reamers and carbide roughing reamers. I also use a chamber flush system and run my carbide rougher’s at 420 rpm and my HSS reamers at 240 rpm. I pre-drill and bore first, rough second and finish ream last.
The flush system allows me to run these speeds and if not running one I'd have to run my HSS reamers much slower, like 80-125rpm.
You'll be fine with a HSS finish reamer just go slow, keep it clean and lubed every .100" or less at first and half way through the chamber every .050"
Don’t crowd it and keep the barrel blown out. The throat is the most delicate and important portion of the chamber.
Carbide is fine but, you have to run it differently that HSS (spindle RPM)
All I use are HSS finish reamers and carbide roughing reamers. I also use a chamber flush system and run my carbide rougher’s at 420 rpm and my HSS reamers at 240 rpm. I pre-drill and bore first, rough second and finish ream last.
The flush system allows me to run these speeds and if not running one I'd have to run my HSS reamers much slower, like 80-125rpm.
You'll be fine with a HSS finish reamer just go slow, keep it clean and lubed every .100" or less at first and half way through the chamber every .050"
Don’t crowd it and keep the barrel blown out. The throat is the most delicate and important portion of the chamber.
