Customer Reviews

Empire Level 27770 T-Handled Tapered Reamer

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I got this to ream fiddle peg holes but it was a bit too big, So I had to pay $50 for the one I needed.

I was skeptical of the quality of this tool when it featured in other catalogues (like Grainger) for over 20$. However this tool is solid and performed admirably. I had to widen holes in a guitar headstock to fit new tuning keys. It took a little more turning than I thought but it did an excellent job. The loose handle is a pain but just put a little tape on it if it's a problem. Or you could try wrapping some electrical tape around the middle of it to make it fatter and give you some resistance. Great tool, great price.

A useful little tool for enlarging drill holes in metal...Don't know why it has teeth angling in BOTH directions... but a reamer should ALWAYS be turned in ONE DIRECTION ONLY (with this one, you get your choice of CW or counter-clockwise). Otherwise, you'll break the teeth off...

Metal is too soft for our use. Might be OK for soft metals like aluminum. Tool stripped after first use and has completely worn down after a few months of use with sheet metal. It was used to debur and ream holes in computer chassis. I'm going with a harder tool steel next time. Giving it two stars because it worked at a limited capacity for a short amount of time. Amazon/Empire: It might be good to list the tool steel and hardness of the tool and a list of metal types/grades this would be suitable for.

Cross bar is NOT secured in the tool, so that you are fighting to keep in in place while you try to use the tool. What a piece of crap. Made in India; why am I not surprised.

This reamer works for what I need (use mostly for soft metals) and has held up. It's a good value and affordable enough to buy in case you need one down the road.

This is a very good reamer that works well to widen holes in metal panels. Easy to use and effective--I use the reamer on aluminum panels to create 'custom' size holes. My only complaint is that the handle easily slips through the base which makes the reamer a little awkward to use.