What Is the Difference Between Reaming and Boring?

Boring and reaming are two well-known practices for those who deal with precision metalworking. In both cases we are talking about processes that are carried out with machines of extreme precision, and with cutting tools (like those you also find in the Krino catalog) that serve to remove a certain amount of material. The products subject to these operations?

They are usually cylinders, bearings or metal blocks with a hole. And the workings concern this last element. The differences between boring and reaming? And above all, when is it advisable to choose one or the other processing? Let's find out right away.

What is boring, a definition

To approach this topic in the best way possible and without confusion, it is worth starting with some basic explanations. What are we talking about when we need to perform a boring operation?

It is an operation performed with a tool known as a boring bar that you also find on Krino, aimed at refining an existing cylindrical hole. All this can be done with precision machining with different cutting edges, both manually and on a lathe. Or on a mechanical milling machine.

What is important to remember is the goal of boring: to refine, grind details and make the hole suitable for any requirement. The idea is not so much to enlarge but to refine the walls.

In this way you can increase the smoothness and functionality of the elements that must come into contact. The surface of the hole becomes smooth, clean, and tight tolerances can be managed.

As mentioned, boring can be done manually or with machines of extreme precision. In these cases, boring bars like the Krino model can be used.

It is a solution in HSS-CO, that is, high-speed steel with cobalt percentage, which makes this tool perfect for boring holes on ferrous and non-ferrous materials.

What is reaming instead?

Let's move to the second operation: reaming. In this case we are referring to a processing in which one tends to eliminate a section of the hole surface. The purpose is to increase the dimensions, so the diameter of the reference hole.

Based on the material, execution speeds and tool type are defined, which can be single or multiple cutting edges. Reaming, performed with a tool known as a reamer, is performed at the moment when we need tight tolerances and a high-quality surface: in this way we can enlarge the hole with minimal clearance without excessively weakening the structure.

Difference between boring and reaming

Given the definitions, the question is clear: what are the divergences between these conditions? To have a clear definition, we can say that with boring we try to improve the finishing and precision of a hole. While reaming aims to enlarge to achieve a higher definition. Number of cutting edges of the different tools: with boring we usually try to use boring bars with multiple cutting edges.

That is, with multiple cutting edges, with less tight tolerances than reaming which operates with tools with single cutting edge. These are the basic differences between these operations that in any case remain fundamental in different situations.