Tips for enlarging a edison spindle hole.

[larryh]

What I didn't understand about the Reamer is that its tapered. How would that evenly enlarge the hole? The drill bit I got fit easily in a correct spindle hole and when I held it to the one that was too small it effortlessly slipped though the hole and I could see afterwards that it only took off material in a few places, but it was enough to make the record fit on the spindle nicely. I can understand the possibility of a bit tearing up the record, but since this one was the correct size for the hole it didn't meet any resistance but did shave just the places it needed enlarging.. It looks perfectly smooth. I don't know, but I can't see any down side so long as the bit is simply reaming out the hole a bit.

Larry

[Orchorsol]

I don't think there's any great risk of damage when doing the job gently by hand with any of the tools mentioned, and having a 'feel' for how the tool is gliding, biting or resisting...

I've taken a similar approach to the reamer in the past - just using a scissor blade! - like a reamer, not straight-sided, so I work a little from one side of the record and then the other.

[FloridaClay]

The tapering of the reamer is actually a significant advantage. (1) It makes it self centering and keeps the opening perfectly round, so no risk at all of creating an oddly shaped opening that gives rise to wobble (not to mention being ugly). (2) And of course the diameter size self-adjusts as you go.

There might be a slight slope to the sides of the hole due to the taper, but in practice it is trivial, particularly when you use it equally on each side of the record as you go--"a little from one side of the record and then the other" as Orchorsol suggests.

In short, it is a piece of cake to use and works perfectly with none of the problems that can occur with drills, files, and such. I've used it on a number of DDs now with no problems of any kind.

Clay

[JerryVan]

What I didn't understand about the Reamer is that its tapered. How would that evenly enlarge the hole?
Larry

Exactly Larry. The tapered reamer will wallow out the hole, except for a small area where the size will be right, with every place else oversize. Not all reamers are tapered. A straight reamer of the proper size will work best. The record hole has gotten small, but not so small that centering a straight reamer would be any kind of problem.

(Not criticizing anyone for their choice of tool, just giving my view on the matter, FWIW)

[tinovanderzwan]

I don't think there's any great risk of damage when doing the job gently by hand with any of the tools mentioned, and having a 'feel' for how the tool is gliding, biting or resisting...

I've taken a similar approach to the reamer in the past - just using a scissor blade! - like a reamer, not straight-sided, so I work a little from one side of the record and then the other.

i never had a reamer i use a scissor blade just be gentle don't pressurise too much and you'll be ok basicaly a conical reamer is a scissor blade with many edges!