Bushing Reamers - Straight vs. Spiral Flute
 

I know there has been a lot of discussion regarding reaming vs. honing.
Assuming I am going the hand reamer route for the rear brake lever bushings, is there an advantage to straight vs. spiral flute. One Model A supplier has straight and another spiral.

Re: Bushing Reamers - Straight vs. Spiral Flute
 

All about reamers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEltyxuYUeU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrOej...feature=relmfu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV3T3...feature=relmfu

Re: Bushing Reamers - Straight vs. Spiral Flute
 

My own preference is for the spiral flutes. Although, in twenty years of toolmaking, we never used hand reamers much. We always ran them under power. Hand reaming is another "Lost art" that takes us back to another age. What ever you use, power or hand, use plenty of oil.
Terry

Re: Bushing Reamers - Straight vs. Spiral Flute
 

If you use a spiral reamer in a bushing with a spiral oil groove and the spirals are in the same direction there is a good chance there will be chatter in the reaming ---same if you use a straight reamer in a bushing with a straight oil grove

When you are reaming 2 bushings for 1 shaft the reamer needs to be long enough to be supported in the other bushing to keep both bores aligned (piloted reamer---either the body of the reamer is bushing diameter, or there is a seperate pilot bushing

I jjust finished a 190 sl Mercedes yesterday, as much as I like honing I had to ream this time, the backing plate is rivited to the spindle and all the brake parts needed to stay on, the straight reamer worked well with the spiral oil groove, the alignment came out perfect--the kingpin turned easier when in both bushings than when in only one

Re: Bushing Reamers - Straight vs. Spiral Flute
 

Reamers are good to have. I bought all of the spiral reamers that Bratton offered in the ninties. I've used them and they get the job done. I have a set of adjustable reamers that sometimes come in handy when makeing repro parts fit, I also use them to enlarge intake manifold runners. I have a set of adjustable hones that I use fitting wrist pins.