Is a set of RotaBroaches worth the expense

[Ziffer]

I'm considering buying a set of rotabroaches to use in my drill press. For those of you that have them would you recommend them? Also, I see BLAIR and HOUGEN are the two most common names. Is one better than the other?

Thanks
Z

[tubman]

I bought one 1 3/8" Blair Roto-Broach to open up the throttle bores on an aluminum Canadian 8CM manifold to allow me to use a Rochester 2GC carburetor. It cut the aluminum like butter. I would venture a guess that it would have worked just as well on an iron manifold. As you say, they are expensive. I think I paid $70 for the actual cutter and $40 for the arbor. Once you have an arbor, all you need are more cutters (still expensive).

So, in my experience they work very well; as to worth it, it's up to you. I paid the price because I could not find anyone that would tackle my project, so I had to do it myself.

[trainguy]

They need a rigid set up and slow speed for cast iron.Most likely will not work well in a normal drill press.At my shop we use then in Bridgeport milling machines.Phil

[RalphM]

I've used them for a lot of automotive work, mostly aftermarket heater installs.
They work well, but when using them free hand on a drill you have to be very careful, because they will break easily. You have to cut steady and slow. They do make nice holes and will go through sheet metal to 1/2" thick steel with ease.
A mag drill is best for this type of work.

[mike in tucson]

We bought a couple of sets of the Blair ones to try. Cutting holes in thick wall electrical cabinets is a pain....even with Greenlee punches. The roto broach cuts fantastic, especially with a mag drill like Ralph says. Great tools, much better and cleaner cut than hole saws.

[cmbrucew]

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Originally Posted by trainguy

They need a rigid set up and slow speed for cast iron.Most likely will not work well in a normal drill press.At my shop we use then in Bridgeport milling machines.Phil

Phil
If you have a mill why would you buy these?
Bruce

[willowbilly3]

Once, about 10 years ago, too broke to pay attention and I needed a drill press that turned much slower than any used one I could find so I made this. Slowest speed is about 50 rpms and it has 3 speeds of auto feed.





It wasn't quite done in these pics, I extended the rest pole to the bottom base. Works great but mostly for hanging junk on these days.

[russcc]

The hole saw does a nice clean job also if you chuck it up in vertical mill like Bridgeport. McMaster Carr I believe has the Blair cutter. If I didn't have the Bridgeport and had to do a nice clean job, the Blair would be the way to go.

[linechaser32]

Use my Blair cutters on a drill press. Use a slow speed, work fantastic.

[cas3]

willowbilly3, nice job! i like home made stuff. looks good. i have some good friends that moved to west of custer 5 yrs or so, wish you could meet them!