Buy Adjustable Hand Reamers Online in Australia
Adjustable Hand Reamer Sizes — Quick Reference
Adjustable hand reamers use replaceable blades that cover a diameter range from a single body — one reamer replaces 4-6 fixed-size reamers. AIMS stocks Sutton Tools, Bordo and Maxigear ranges in metric and imperial sizes. Match the reamer to your target diameter; each size has a finishing range of ~2-4 mm.
| Reamer Size | Adjustment Range (mm) | Adjustment Range (imperial) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (Smallest) | 5.95 - 6.35 | 15/64" - 17/64" | Pin holes, fine instrument work |
| B | 6.35 - 7.14 | 1/4" - 9/32" | Small pin holes, light machinery |
| C | 7.14 - 7.94 | 9/32" - 5/16" | Small dowel holes, light fittings |
| D | 7.94 - 8.73 | 5/16" - 11/32" | General-purpose small reaming |
| E - K (Mid) | 8.73 - 19.05 | 11/32" - 3/4" | Workshop default reaming range |
| L - O | 19.05 - 31.75 | 3/4" - 1-1/4" | Larger machinery, shaft fitting |
| P - Z (Largest) | 31.75 - 56.36 | 1-1/4" - 2-7/32" | Heavy industrial, large bore finish |
Replacement blades + adjusting nuts available separately — extends reamer body life significantly. For complete reamer types (chucking, machine, taper, hand), see reamers and the reamer guide. For hand-driven reaming, pair with a quality tap wrench for grip and torque.
Adjustable Hand Reamers
Adjustable hand reamers use replaceable, adjustable blades to cover a range of diameters with a single body. Unlike fixed-diameter chucking reamers, the adjustable design can be set to any diameter within its range by advancing or retracting the blades using the adjusting nut. This makes them practical for workshop use where multiple bore sizes need finishing without the cost of a full set of fixed reamers.
Sutton Tools, Bordo and Maxigear
AIMS stocks adjustable hand reamers from Sutton Tools, Bordo and Maxigear. Sutton's R109 series is made from tungsten chrome alloy steel — a high-alloy tool steel with good hardness and wear resistance well suited to hand reaming work. Replacement blades (R110) and replacement adjusting nuts (R112) are stocked separately, extending the service life of the reamer body considerably. Maxigear adjustable reamers cover metric and imperial range combinations from small sizes up to 2-7/32".
Tungsten Chrome Alloy Steel
Tungsten chrome alloy (WC tool steel) provides a good balance of hardness, toughness and grindability for hand reaming applications. It holds a sharp cutting edge well during the slow, controlled passes required in hand reaming, and can be resharpened when blades become dull.
Metric and Imperial
AIMS stocks adjustable hand reamers across both metric and imperial (fractional) diameter ranges. The blade range of each size covers a span of approximately 1/16" or 1.5mm — confirm the nominal bore diameter and any adjustment required fall within the range of the reamer size before ordering.
Applications
Adjustable hand reamers are used in fitting, jig and tool making, maintenance work and anywhere a precision bore size needs to be achieved or restored by hand. Common applications include fitting shaft shoulders, bushing bores, pin holes and clearance fits. For taper pin holes specifically, see our taper pin reamers. Always use cutting oil and a slow, steady rotational speed when hand reaming — reaming is a finishing operation and removing material aggressively will compromise the bore finish and size accuracy.
People Also Ask — Adjustable Hand Reamers
Q: What is an adjustable hand reamer?
An adjustable hand reamer uses replaceable, adjustable blades to cover a range of diameters with a single body. The blades are set to the target diameter by advancing or retracting them using an adjusting nut, allowing one reamer to finish multiple bore sizes within its range — typically a 2–4 mm spread per size designation.
Q: How do adjustable hand reamers compare to fixed-diameter reamers?
A set of adjustable hand reamers covers the same diameter range as four to six fixed-diameter reamers at lower total cost and with less inventory to manage. Fixed reamers give a more precise, repeatable diameter for production quantities; adjustable reamers are more practical for workshop and maintenance use where a wide range of bore sizes is encountered infrequently.
Q: How are adjustable hand reamers sized?
Each reamer size designation (A through Z) covers a specific diameter range — for example, A covers 5.95–6.35 mm, B covers 6.35–7.14 mm, and so on through the larger sizes. Select the size whose range includes your target bore diameter, then set the blades to the precise diameter required using the adjusting nut before starting the cut.
Q: Can blades be replaced on an adjustable hand reamer?
Yes. Replacement blades and adjusting nuts are available separately, extending the service life of the reamer body considerably. For example, Sutton's R110 replacement blades and R112 adjusting nuts suit the R109 series. Replacing worn blades rather than the complete reamer assembly significantly reduces tooling cost over time.
Q: What steel is used in adjustable hand reamers?
Sutton's R109 series adjustable hand reamers are manufactured from tungsten chrome alloy steel — a high-alloy tool steel that provides a good balance of hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. It holds a sharp cutting edge well during the slow, controlled passes required in hand reaming and can be resharpened when blades dull. Both metric and imperial size ranges are available.