I just got quoted £200 for a suitable dormer reamer. Ouch.
I'm gonna grind a taper onto a big drill & try to use that as a reamer.
I'll let you know how I get on.....
Bob

I bought mine from axminster. Wasn't expensive and worked a treat

Don't do it that way! the taper needs to be exactly correct, else you will might find it coming lose... You will need the "correct" taper. You will need a precision grinding machine to get this correct, and a proper blank not an HSS drill... I had this problem, and had MK ream ours, they use a jig to ensure the reamer is vertical..

Dan

[Edited on 20/9/07 by Bluemoon]

wow, they're branching out from carpets - don't suppose you have tel no. or URL.
I'll just try google....
Bob

I just took mine to MK (any manufacturer will do) and they did them there and then.
Fully jigged, correct taper and cheaper than buying a tool I'm only gonna use once!

apparently there are two common taper used for ball joints; don't know off hnd what they are.

You need to be able to dring you drill quite accurately but I have no idea of what tolerance is needed before it becomes less than satisfactory.

I would recommend drilling a scrap piece of steel first and using engineers blue to see how well the two interface.

Sorry james edited as you posted!

wELL I just bought a £3.45 reamer from axminster - I reckon it's a shot to nothing!
The balljoints in question seem to measure at 9:1 but the dormer reamers are 10:1. Gawd knows what the axminster thing is - I guess I'll find out ;^)
Bob

I did question the axminster tool being the right taper as this did raise concern for me but was told it had been checked with blue and was the right one for the job which was good enough for me.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=23107&name=reamer&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=0

It's the 19mm one

It's here (very fast!)
it's "hardened steel" woohooo!
and it's 1 in 8 taper.
Let's hope the upright isn't "hardened steel"...
cheers
Bob

..... and ?????

Ahhh - been struggling with my conscience - the reamer is 1 in 8 but the balljoint is definately 1 in 9 so I'm not yet decided what to do. I think I'll get my grinder fitted to the lathe crosshead & modify the reamer to do a proper job, just a bit busy at the mo.
Bob

OK job done - the reground £3.45 reamer worked a treat. You can also see the grinder on the lathe in the pic.
Only trouble is the balljoint fits perfect but won't turn - it's too damn big - I guess the alfa 164 ones are to be tried next!
Bob
Rescued attachment taperreamer.jpg