Tapered Reamer Finishing Deburring Tool Drill Expander

Choose based on the largest hole you need to ream. If your holes fall between 3 mm and 13 mm (roughly 1/8" to 1/2"), the 3–13 mm reamer covers the full range. If you regularly work with larger holes up to 16 mm (about 5/8"), select the 5–16 mm version. For workshops that handle both ranges, ordering one of each is the most practical approach.

This reamer is designed for mild steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and similar non-hardened metals, as well as plastics and softwood. Stainless steel and hardened steel are significantly harder and will dull the cutting edges faster than intended. For stainless, use cutting fluid and slow speeds; for hardened steel, a carbide-tipped reamer is the appropriate tool.

Yes. The tapered shank fits any standard 3-jaw drill chuck with a capacity of at least 3 mm (1/8"). Use a low speed setting (typically under 500 RPM for metal) and apply light, steady forward pressure. For plastic and wood, higher speeds are acceptable. The reamer can also be turned by hand using a tap wrench for precise, controlled finishing passes.

The progressive taper is your built-in control mechanism — advance slowly and test-fit your fastener or fitting frequently. Mark the target diameter on the reamer with a marker or tape as a visual stop point. Working at low speed and checking fit every few rotations prevents oversizing. Once the correct diameter is reached, withdraw the reamer without reversing rotation to avoid scratching the bore wall.

Yes — deburring is one of the primary use cases. Insert the tip into the punched hole and rotate a few turns to shave the raised burr flush with the sheet surface. The spiral flutes clear the metal shavings efficiently. This is particularly useful when preparing sheet metal panels for cable glands, conduit fittings, or bolt clearance holes where a sharp burr would damage insulation or prevent a flush fit.

After each use, wipe the flutes clean with a dry cloth or brush to remove metal chips and debris. Apply a light coat of machine oil or cutting fluid to the fluted surface before storage to prevent surface oxidation. Store the reamer in a protective sleeve, roll, or separate compartment to prevent the cutting edges from contacting other tools. Avoid dropping the tool on hard surfaces, as the hardened steel can chip at the tip if impacted.

Yes. Copper is a soft, machinable metal that responds well to HSS reamers. This tool is commonly used to clean up the cut end of copper tube, remove burrs from the bore after cutting with a pipe cutter, and slightly enlarge the opening for a push-fit or compression fitting. Use light pressure and slow speed to avoid work-hardening the copper or generating excessive heat near solder joints.