Empire Level 27770 T-Handled Tapered Reamer

by Empire Level

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Empire 27770 T-Handled tapered reamer reams as well as deburs. It has a precision hardened steel reaming blade. T-handle for extra leverage and reaming capacity 1/8-Inch to 1/2-Feet holes.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001DZE5FW
• Item model number: 27770
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,565 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works For Me, September 23, 2009

By 

K. Ray (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Empire Level 27770 T-Handled Tapered Reamer (Tools & Home Improvement)

I bought this to ream a 1/2" end pin hole in a guitar that I was installing a pickup in. I could have done the reaming faster using a bit, but I wanted to do it by hand to make sure I didn't accidentally mess up my expensive guitar. This tool made the reaming easy, though I would suggest clamping down the guitar or anything you are reaming as it will be difficult to keep a straight hole if you don't.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Reamer, April 3, 2009

By 

GravyFish (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Empire Level 27770 T-Handled Tapered Reamer (Tools & Home Improvement)

After searching with no success at local big-box "hardware" stores, I finally decided to try buying a reamer over the internet. I've had mixed results with the quality of hand tools I don't get the chance to inspect before buying, but that didn't seem to be a problem with this reamer. It's tough and utilitarian. It enlarged holes in plastic and wood with good, clean cuts. I ran into trouble on tooled steel, but it held up much better than I expected (though I eventually resorted to over-enlarging the hole with a carbon-steel drill bit). For $12, it's one of the best value hand-tools I've ever purchased, and for potentiometer and switch installation, probably the most useful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works Well, Great Value, September 19, 2011

By 

JMAC "JMAC" (Denton, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Empire Level 27770 T-Handled Tapered Reamer (Tools & Home Improvement)

This reamer is perfect for enlarging a guitar's end-pin hole to install an end-pin jack for a pickup. The day it arrived it took me about 10 minutes of gentle turning on a BlueRidge OM acoustic for a perfect fit with a switchcraft jack. I have used it a couple of times since and each time it worked perfectly. The tool feels solid and with a little care should last years.

A couple of nits to pick: the T-handle is a loose fit and it tends to drop out of the tool when you let go. A sliver of painter's tape kept it in place but a slightly firmer fit would have been nice. Also, the 1/2" section at the top isn't very long and I had to use it all the way to the handle to get 1/2" all the way through the end-pin block. Take the time to mask the bottom of the guitar so you don't accidentally score the finish. (Or stop at the end of the blade and finish with a 1/2 " bit in a variable speed drill.) Be sure to watch the angle as you progress. The reamer follows the end-pin hole well but as you get close to the 1/2" section of the bit it is possible to tip it and get a hole that isn't perpendicular to the bottom of the guitar. One of the advantages of using a hand tool is angle is easy to monitor.

Stewart-MacDonald sells a beautiful end-pin reamer with an extended 1/2" section. It is shop quality and works perfectly but it has no handle so it can only be used in a drill (or bit brace) and it sells for several times the price of the Empire Level 27770. Especially on older guitars, I find turning the reamer by hand reassuring. This would get tedious in a high-volume shop but if you only occasionally need an end-pin jack reamer this tool is an excellent value.