Machining question

MustangSix

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The tapered holes used for suspension bits like tie rod ends, ball joints, etc.

What is the best way to make those holes? Are there tapered drill bits or reamers available?

I've looked in every catalog I could get my hands on and all iI find for tapered tools are the little things of tapered pins.
 
There are tapered reamers available for hand and slow machine use (like hand drills) in a couple of styles. One is like the standard cello peg reamer; several straight flutes. The other is more round with less flutes, the idea being that the hole stays more circular.

The hand use only ones often have the T-handle interference fitted; the ones that can be chucked into a drill have a parallel section, often with a hole for a tee.

You can get reamers ground to a custom taper by places that sharpen router bits and shaper blades (maybe a true saw doctor?). This isn't too dear from my experience - I have had lots of odd-bod tools (typically multi-step drills) made in the past. A good reamer will munch auto steel/CI in a very satisfying way.

Adam.
 
There is a catalog called MSC Inc. that has all sorts of machine tools, they should have what you need. Try a web search. Here in the US we call ourselves saw filers, although I know one filer who calls himself Dr. Gene.
Lazy JW
 
McMaster-Carr also has them. www.mcmaster.com Use the search function and type in "taper reamer." Just be sure you know what number of taper you need. The also have reamers for Morse Tapers. I know they're used on machine tools, but not sure about automotive applications.

--mikey
 
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