In most cases, precision boring represents one of the final touches on a workpiece that has accumulated hours of prior machining. As a consequence, the production of scrap while finish boring can result in heavy losses. Establishing the correct speeds and feeds is of the utmost importance to achieving optimum free-cutting conditions.

We recommend seven proven habits to maximize boring success:

1. Never change feed and speed in the same step; that can lead to total confusion.
2. Select a preliminary speed at which you can obtain safe cutting operations without overload or vibration.
3. Select a chip load in millimeters-per-revolution (IPR), permitting C-shaped chip form for the shortest possible chips.
4. Keep the projection ratio of your boring bar within 4:1 (length:diameter), or as short as possible.
5. Optimize the cutting speed, because high cutting speeds usually lead to better cutting conditions by maintaining the chip load.
6. Use inserts designed for the lowest possible cutting forces, good chip control and unhampered chip evacuation.
7. Pay careful attention to the insert wear patterns and change them before they reach the end of their useful life.