Boring heads for the mill

[doubleboost]

Hi
Dan
That looks like a good choice
I made up a holder so i can use the tools for boring on the lathe as well
John

[Mayhem]

Interesting that in one part it reads: "A micrometer lead screw provides 0.0005" direct reading accuracy and ease of adjusting" and shortly thereafter it reads the same, but at 0.001" Which is it?

Have you looked at what Jeff at tools4cheap has to offer? No affiliation, just a happy repeat customer.

[f350ca]

The adjustment dial is graduated to 1/2 thou for the radius which results in 1 thou change in the bore.

[Highpower]

That is one of the differences I discovered between the "economy" models of boring heads and the more expensive units. I have a couple of 2" boring heads. One import (Taiwan) and one made in the U.S.

Notice the threads for the "lead screw" for adjusting the size of the cut.
The "import" model has a very course adjustment and is not marked on the dial what the divisions represent.

The U.S. version on the other hand has a very fine thread, and is much easier to adjust in tiny increments than the import version. And the dial is clearly marked for .001" per division.

The number of divisions on each dial are the same, but clearly the movement of one division on the import dial results in moving the cutter well over .001" (diameter). I have not measured it to see what the divisions actually represent. I only use it for rough boring cuts that don't need to be precise.

[EdK]

Anybody every made their own boring head? It seems like it would be a nice project for someone that has some experience under their belt and is looking for a slightly more challenging project than the typical beginners projects. Or am I all wrong about how hard it is to make one? It wouldn't be the first, or last, time I was wrong about something like this.

By the way Dan, I'm not suggesting you make one instead of buy one.

Ed

[rleete]

Projects in Metal has plans. For my time, I'd rather spend the money. I get sick of making tools instead of the things I want to make. However, it does look like a decent project for those with more patience.

[stevec]

(06-05-2012, 06:56 PM)rleete Wrote: I get sick of making tools instead of the things I want to make.

My wife gets a kick out of the fact that every job I do requires the manufacture of a tool to do it.

[DanH]

Well, I ended up ordering the 3" one off ebay. I will report back after I get it and have a chance to try it out. The project I am working on is to replace a broken tensioning setup for the upper wheel on my bandsaw. The replacement parts are only $19 but so many are breaking they are backordered to the manufacuturer with no delivery date listed.

Dan

[krv3000]

hi all right if you google Harold Hall you will get a link to his web page their is drawings on their for a boring Head and other things to

[PixMan]

I had bought my dad a 3" Enco a number of years ago. Back then they were made by Gamet in France, and are fairly good quality. The tool accepts 3/4" round shanks, so I've made bushings to be able to use smaller boring bars. We have a set of the cheap China made brazed carbide bars, all 3/4" shanks. The carbide sucks so you have to be careful using it. I have a few solid carbide bars from Micro100, from 1/2" down to 3mm shanks. I've not yet made a busing for the smallest ones though.

I cannot recall ever wishing for a smaller boring head than this 3" one, and only once for a larger one. I've bored down to about 3/8", and up to just under 12" with this.