- Joined
- Feb 15, 2015
- Messages
- 65
Ive wanted a boring head for a while but haven't had an application to justfiy buing one. I now have an application so I looked around for an inexpensive one for occasional hobby use. The cheapest one I could find - I'm a tightwad - is from everyones favorite to complain about Harbor Freight. It's shown at $60 but there is always the 20% off coupon so I bought one. This is a review of what I received in case anyone else is interested. They didn't have it in the store so I purchased it sight unseen.
The package I received was well padded with no damage. It contained the boring head, two allen wrenches for adjustment and a limited 1 year warranty certificate. Note that the HF web site only showns this as having a 90 day warranty. I suspect that the enclosed certificate, which shows Cen-Tech and Harbor Freight Tools, takes presidence.
The overall impression upon opening is that of reasonably good quality. The finish is good without the rough edges you see on so many Asian tools. Fit is reasonably good however the hex socket in the adjustment screw was broached off axis.
The boring head I received is essentially as pictured on the HF web site with slight differences. The one pictured on the HF site has a slightly different shaft. The one I received does not have the black in the middle and has a has a flush flange where the head attaches. The head screws onto the shaft with right hand threads so it is only suitable for clockwise boring - the head will unscrew from the shaft if operated counterclockwise. My guess is this is true for all boring heads.
The assembly is all steel - no aluminum. Some reviewers complained that the unit was all steel which is odd. The central body is black and the adjustable portion of the head is stain. The dial is chromed with etched calibrations filled in black. There is also a notation of 1 Div = .001 0 etched below the dial. It has the typical three holes for 1/2" boring bars. There are three allen grub screws to lock the head in position.
The head adjustment, as received, is not smooth. As with most HF machining equipment, it should be disassembled, cleaned, oiled and reassembled prior to use. Upon disassembly, I found grit on the threads of the adjustment screw. Cleaning the threads revealed some small nicks. Once reassembled, it was smoother but not great. I suspect that it will improve with use. I measured .006" backlash in the head assembly which should not be of consequence. There is no adjustment for backlash. I haven't bored with it yet so I can't comment on the accuracy of the dial. I will have to sneak up on any holes I bore anyway since my mini-mill lacks rigidity.
Overall, the boring head is of reasonably good quality with good fit and finish, especially for the price. I would buy it again.
The package I received was well padded with no damage. It contained the boring head, two allen wrenches for adjustment and a limited 1 year warranty certificate. Note that the HF web site only showns this as having a 90 day warranty. I suspect that the enclosed certificate, which shows Cen-Tech and Harbor Freight Tools, takes presidence.
The overall impression upon opening is that of reasonably good quality. The finish is good without the rough edges you see on so many Asian tools. Fit is reasonably good however the hex socket in the adjustment screw was broached off axis.
The boring head I received is essentially as pictured on the HF web site with slight differences. The one pictured on the HF site has a slightly different shaft. The one I received does not have the black in the middle and has a has a flush flange where the head attaches. The head screws onto the shaft with right hand threads so it is only suitable for clockwise boring - the head will unscrew from the shaft if operated counterclockwise. My guess is this is true for all boring heads.
The assembly is all steel - no aluminum. Some reviewers complained that the unit was all steel which is odd. The central body is black and the adjustable portion of the head is stain. The dial is chromed with etched calibrations filled in black. There is also a notation of 1 Div = .001 0 etched below the dial. It has the typical three holes for 1/2" boring bars. There are three allen grub screws to lock the head in position.
The head adjustment, as received, is not smooth. As with most HF machining equipment, it should be disassembled, cleaned, oiled and reassembled prior to use. Upon disassembly, I found grit on the threads of the adjustment screw. Cleaning the threads revealed some small nicks. Once reassembled, it was smoother but not great. I suspect that it will improve with use. I measured .006" backlash in the head assembly which should not be of consequence. There is no adjustment for backlash. I haven't bored with it yet so I can't comment on the accuracy of the dial. I will have to sneak up on any holes I bore anyway since my mini-mill lacks rigidity.
Overall, the boring head is of reasonably good quality with good fit and finish, especially for the price. I would buy it again.