Tooling - Boring Heads in Particular

[Hack]

Well, as time has gone by, I have run into a need to drill some accurately sized holes. These are gonna be used for housings for bearings on the end of my lead screws for my router that I am building so I am looking to buy a new boring head combo set (head and boring bars). Since I already have an order going out to grizzly in the next couple of days (probably monday) I was looking at thier G9322 (2") or G9324 (3") sets. Any input from the gallery on these? I have never used one of these and am unsure of the specs. Does the 2" & 3" stat mean thats the biggest hole it can bore? I need to bore a hole for 26mm (1.0236") OD bearing. Material is 6061 aluminum

Also, I am under the impression that these are used to finish the hole, not to make it. I have drill bits up to 1/2" and Endmills up to 3/4" diameter. Will this be close enough to use the Boring head if I take off multiple light passes?

This is going to be used on a RF-31 clone mill/drill. Ahhhhhh, the dreaded round column and the Z alignment issues. MMMMMMMMM. Ought to be fun

Dan

[Hack]

I'd like to get this order placed as it is holding up the router progress. My main concern is what does the 2" & 3" size mean. Will these work in a mill/drill - how much "z" do they need?

Thanks

Dan

[widgitmaster]

The beauty of a boring head is in its offsets, you can start with a 1/2" hole and make as many passes as it takes to get to the final diameter! Either of the two heads will allow you to complete your task!
I suggest you ge a set of telescoping bore gages, not expensive, but very handy!
If you have an electronic digital caliper, you can use a micrometer to set the ID points to the exact zero size of the bore, then you have an accurate path to follow for each pass.

Hope this helps!
Eric

[motomitch1]

Originally Posted by Hack I'd like to get this order placed as it is holding up the router progress. My main concern is what does the 2" & 3" size mean. Will these work in a mill/drill - how much "z" do they need? Thanks Dan

The 2" 3" is the smallest hole the boring head will fit into.

Thats so you can stick a tool out the side of the head and go from 2" and up.

[Hack]

The 2" & 3" size have nothing to do with the size of hole they can bore, just the diameter of the head themselves? Is there a benefit to bigger or smaller? I don't anticipate needing the head to fit inside my hole as the holes will only be about 14mm deep

Good point on the telescoping guages. I'll add them to my list

Dan

[motomitch1]

I would say that the 3" would be better it might have more travel on the slide for tool adjustment.

One drawback on the bigger head is the offset will be heaver an shake your machine a little more at higher RPMS