Boring heads

[StrikerDown]

I'm looking for a 2" boring head and thinking the Criterion looks like a good piece? http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=5802530&PMAKA=325-1452

Then there are those darn imports that look so tempting!

Some of the knock offs look just like the rel deal. Are any of the imports worth considering, or should I just get something of known decent quality?

Opinions on the Criterion and the look alikes?

Any other options of reasonably good quality?

I have lots of Chinese toos some is adequate for what I use it for but too much of it is being replaced as fast as I can with decent stuff.

 

[The Dane]

Bought one here, of course i'm on the other side of the pond
Prises are a little more to my taste and it does a better job than me at the mill. Operation is precise and repeatable.

http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/BORING_HEADS__NEW__1.html

 

[wquiles]

Per advice from Barry, Criterion is "the" brand to buy - you can't go wrong with it!. However, since I use boring heads so little, I have not taken the plunge yet. What I have is a 2" integral R8 shank (once piece head and R8 arbor) that I got from Lathemaster in special. I figured if I was going to buy something cheaper than the Criterion, at least buy the single piece version:
http://lathemaster.com/BORINGHEADINTEGRALSHANK.htm

Will

 

[PEU]

Then there are those darn imports that look so tempting!

I bought a chinese head at ctctools time ago, since I use it very very little buying top quality wasnt top priority from my point of view, it was more like: hey im ordering tools, lets add a boring head to the combo


Pablo

 

[precisionworks]

There are a handful of top quality heads like Criterion, Flynn, Erickson ... and then there are knock offs that vary greatly in quality. The Criterion is ready to run, no surprises, small backlash, dead repeatable. No name heads will probably need a few hours attention to stone out the milling marks, adjust fit, polish the screw, etc.

If the money is in your bank account, get the new Criterion & you won't regret it. Or find a used one on eBay. A used Criterion should still be much better than almost any Asian import.

Also check eBay for Erickson Tenth Set heads (aka Kennametal - Erickson). Imagine moving the boring tip one half of one tenth on the radius - that's what a tenth set head can do, time after time. I've picked up a few on eBay, mostly around $100 - not bad for a $700 head

 

[StrikerDown]

Those links/pics look pretty good, but so did the live center Barry just bought in another thread! Therein lies the problem with Chijunk. Often creative photography and cherry picking the part is rather deceptive.

I am in the same boat (similar anyway) as you guys. Although I have two projects currently needing boring but they are few and far between. One I just don't have the right size drill for the other is a bearing pocket in an aluminum block. (read reasonable precision).

Right now Enco has the Criterion set for $280 and their "Import" for $80, shipping is the same regardless (free with the right code=-) )

 

[StrikerDown]

Thanks Barry,

Money in the bank? Yea, but only til the cc bill gets here. Criterion it is.



Won't have to look back!:thumbsup:

 

[precisionworks]

A lot of this comes down to your budget, and your patience level. If you are very patient (which I am not) you may be fine with an import. I'm sure that people get used to the jerky movement, huge backlash, and general rough fit. If you can put up with all of that, the Asian head may do fine.

Criterion set for $280 and their "Import" for $80

No surprise on the import, as a highly skilled Chinese worker earns $.70 per hour. That same skill level in the USA pays $20 per hour. Criterions go through numerous quality checks, much like an Albrecht chuck or a Dorian tool post. You never get to see those that flunk QC inspection. They are consistently good, although good is an understatement. Smooth as glass better describes a Criterion :twothumbs

 

[wquiles]

You would need to buy the R8 arbor, but here is an used one on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Criterion-Boring-Head-1-1-2-OD-x-3-1-2-long-Shank_W0QQitemZ270516021865QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efc02ea69


This one has a rough looking R8 arbor, but the head looks OK:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CRITERION-DBL-102-BORING-HEAD-R8-SHANK-MILL_W0QQitemZ330395085138QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ced14e952


And here is another one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CRITERION-DBL-203D-R8-BORING-HEAD-3-4-BRIDGEPORT-R8_W0QQitemZ260539434561QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca95c4641


Will

 

[TOOLING GURU]

Hello,

Criterions are fine for the money. If you're in high production and trying to hold within .0002" in steel then you 'll need some of the higher end stuff like Big Kaiser, Komet or D'andrea etc.

Lot's of my customers use the Criterion heads with no problems.

Vic
Rani Tool

 

[precisionworks]

.0002" in steel then you 'll need some of the higher end stuff like Big Kaiser, Komet or D'andrea etc.

You have to be careful when mentioning the heavy duty tooling ... may cause some members to faint when they see the price :nana:

 

[unterhausen]

Also check eBay for Erickson Tenth Set heads (aka Kennametal - Erickson). Imagine moving the boring tip one half of one tenth on the radius - that's what a tenth set head can do, time after time. I've picked up a few on eBay, mostly around $100 - not bad for a $700 head

I bought a small one of those without any way to mount it. I must have gotten it cheap, don't remember. I found out why it was cheap. I recently had a use for it and tried to figure out how to mount it in my lathe. There is nothing that would work for that, but if I could use a Cat 40, I could get one of those for $350.

 

[TOOLING GURU]

You have to be careful when mentioning the heavy duty tooling ... may cause some members to faint when they see the price :nana:

No kidding. Especially when you're looking at the self balancing stuff that runs in the 20,000 - 30,000 RPM range with diamond tooling!!

Vic

 

[StrikerDown]

Thanks for the info, I have the Criter on order along with a few other can't live withouts!

 

[KC2IXE]

How about a nice Wohlhaupter?

 

[StrikerDown]

Christmas in January!

The Blake Co-Ax indicator from eBay arrived today and so did the Criterion from Enco.

The used Blake shows like new, not a scratch to be found and several extra points. It was still over a hundred less than list.

The wife says I now have an excuse to be boring! I think she was kidding!

 

[precisionworks]

several extra points

They run $20-$30 each, so you got a great deal

 

[StrikerDown]

They run $20-$30 each, so you got a great deal

I didn't know that, but that is perfect since I was going to add some extras if it hadn't come with. This was the cleanest co-ax that I found in about a month looking at all that popped up. The wood box and all the parts look new. It also went for a pretty penney compared to the others, but was still a lot less than I found in any store, so the extra points are a bonus!

Funny but the Criterion boring head doesn't look at all Chinese!:naughty: It and the R8 shank of the same manufacturer... sweet.

Thanks Barry

 

[precisionworks]

Criterion boring head doesn't look at all Chinese!

Funny how well those $20/hour USA workers can make things. I suspect it has something to do with using machines & tooling that are not worn out, plus having gauging & metrology available for quality control at each manufacturing step.

a nice Wohlhaupter?

Those are awesome heads - just don't look at the price before you order

http://www.wohlhaupterus.com/products/index.htm

 

[KC2IXE]

Those are awesome heads - just don't look at the price before you order

http://www.wohlhaupterus.com/products/index.htm

Perhaps it would be better if you do, so that you can talk with your banker about a loan