Tips and Techniques for Deburring Cross-Holes
Deburring cross-holes involves removing the burrs that form when manufacturers and machinists create cross-holes in metal parts. The removal of these sharp edges, raised areas, particles, protrusions, and chips improves the function and quality of the parts. Deburring cross-holes supports the smooth operation of machines and mechanical systems, as metal burrs can cause part misalignments. It also contributes to equipment safety and production efficiency. Improper handling of machined parts or blanks with burrs can lead to injuries, while poor surface quality of machine components can impair production. To effectively remove burrs from cross-holes, selecting the right tool and applying proven methods are crucial.
The Flex-Hone® tool is a flexible and resilient honing tool specifically designed for deburring cross-holes. It efficiently removes burrs while simultaneously improving surface finish. The Flex-Hone® tool consists of abrasive globules permanently laminated onto flexible nylon filaments. These abrasive globules provide a gentle cutting action to remove burrs from cylinder walls without damaging the base metal.
We supply Flex-Hone® tools in 8 different abrasive types and 11 different options, with diameters ranging from 4 mm to 36″, to meet the requirements of various base materials and surfaces. The selection of the correct deburring tool and adherence to recommended operating parameters are described in the Flex-Hone® Orientation Guide. Although no special training is required for flexible honing, it is important to follow the instructions and best practices to achieve optimal results. Flexible honing tools can be used with almost any rotating spindle and are suitable for various machine types. The tool can be attached, for example, using a Jacobs chuck on CNC machines or by directly clamping the wire shaft in lathes, milling machines, drill presses, and hand drills.
A good practice when deburring cross-holes with the Flex-Hone® is to first rotate the tool clockwise, remove it from the bore, reverse the spindle, and then rotate it clockwise again. This creates a symmetrical deburring pattern while preventing the burr from being pushed back into the cross-hole. Lubricants or high-quality honing oil should always be used to prevent tool overload and ensure the exposure of fresh cutting particles.
