Line boring: a fascinating trade with an unfortunate name. For those who are complete strangers to the concept, line boring machines are used to enlarge holes that have already been cast or drilled into a variety of substances. Large-scale boring is commonly used when drilling underground subways, and in the Eagleharm Engineering workshop we use our line boring machine to refurbish damaged engine blocks. Let’s take a look at a few facts that might just take the ‘bore’ out of line boring:
- They’ve been around since the 1700s
It was John “Iron-Mad” Wilkinson who, way back in 1775, introduced the concept of precision boring. Wilkinson was an industrialist in England at the time, and was a pioneer of cast iron goods during the Industrial Revolution. His precision boring invention, that changed the world of machining forever, is considered to be the first-ever machine tool.
- There’s more than one type of boring
Two main types of boring are used today, namely line boring and back boring. In back boring, the bar is supported on one end. When it comes to line boring, the bar is supported from both ends – and line boring only works if the existing hole is a through-hole (back boring works even if it’s a blind hole.
- There are multiple machines that bore
Line boring devices are many, and come in various different shapes and sizes. For example, Eagleharm Engineering’s new TS-1000 CNC line boring machine from T&S Machines uses a right angle line boring system for precision boring. Then there are tools like lathes, milling machines, boring mills, and jig borers.
- They have multiple purposes
Something countless people ask, once you grab their attention with a snazzy-sounding title like TS-1000 CNC, is what the machine can actually do. We use ours to refurbish engine blocks from a range of industrial vehicles, including trucks and earth-moving equipment. Line boring machines are also used for excavator buckets, turbine casings, gearboxes, and others.
At Eagleharm Engineering, we ask one question: why replace when you can repair? Our machining capabilities enable us to refurbish any engine block – no matter the size – to manufacturer specification. We’re a trusted name in the industry, and we’ve been around for over 50 years. Also, with our new programmable TS1000 CNC, engine block line boring is literally twice as fast. Get in touch with Ryan or Todd to start a project with us!