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Tools Drills

Best Boring Bars

Written by Melinda Harris, and fact-checked by Beth Allen
Updated December 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Boring Heads and Shanks Boring Head Set
Boring Heads and Shanks
Boring Head Set
Best for Hobbyists

A great all around boring bar set that our DIY expert recommends for hobbyists.

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Best for Hobbyists
Bottom Line

A great all around boring bar set that our DIY expert recommends for hobbyists.

Pros

Complete set comes with all of the bore bars and tools and accessories necessary for most lathing setups. For work with steel and hard alloys. Comes with a handy wooden bar organizer.

Cons

The cutting heads may require occasional reshaping after extended use.

Best Bang for the Buck
All Industrial Carbide Tip Boring Bar Set
All Industrial
Carbide Tip Boring Bar Set
Simple Yet Solid

A budget set of bore bars with a lighter touch to work on soft metals like aluminum.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A budget set of bore bars with a lighter touch to work on soft metals like aluminum.

Pros

9-piece set features various bar lengths and diameters for different bore holes. Carbide tip is gentle enough to work with softer metals without destroying the finished product.

Cons

Cutting heads require a light touch with minimal pressure while boring into hard metals.

Yosoo Lathe Boring Set
Yosoo
Lathe Boring Set

A basic but durable set of bore bars that is perfect for beginning machinists and hobbyists.

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Bottom Line

A basic but durable set of bore bars that is perfect for beginning machinists and hobbyists.

Pros

Small boring bars make it easy to create tight or narrow bore holes in dense materials. Steel construction offers plenty of machining use before starting to dull or break.

Cons

The set lacks the necessary inserts. Will need to grind down the bore bars for the best fit on most machines.

Accusize Industrial Tools Boring Bar
Accusize Industrial Tools
Boring Bar

A high quality individual boring bar that is perfect for general use on most machining projects.

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Bottom Line

A high quality individual boring bar that is perfect for general use on most machining projects.

Pros

6-inch length and three-eighths inch diameter offer good reach for deeper bore holes. Hardened steel will last a while before needing attention. Can be used for finishing bore holes.

Cons

Use on steel may be slower and less accurate than more premium bore bars.

Accusize Industrial Tools Boring Bar Set
Accusize Industrial Tools
Boring Bar Set

One of the best premium bore bar sets to choose when you need more longevity from the tools.

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Bottom Line

One of the best premium bore bar sets to choose when you need more longevity from the tools.

Pros

Shank design makes it easy to set positive and negative rake. Easy to replace cutting head with new inserts. Comes with a foam padded case for protecting the bar set.

Cons

Bore bars may require some modifications depending on the specific project.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
October 29, 2021
30
Models
considered
22
Hours
researched
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Written by Melinda Harris, and fact-checked by Beth Allen
Updated December 2022

Boring bars are a common tool used to make existing holes bigger and are an essential tool in machining. Steel and carbide constructions are common materials. Steel boring bars may need to be reshaped after moderate use, but carbide bars are stiffer and therefore result in more chatter. You will need different lengths and diameters for different jobs, so consider sets with a range of boring bar dimensions and ratios. Some sets may require slight adjustments to fit your tools and your needs. Ensure that the boring bar set you select is the right fit for the materials you typically work with and will provide a smooth cut without damaging the material.

Our Top Picks
Boring Heads and Shanks
Best of the Best
Boring Heads and Shanks
Boring Head Set
Bottom Line
A great all around boring bar set that our DIY expert recommends for hobbyists.
Shop Now
All Industrial
Best Bang for the Buck
All Industrial
Carbide Tip Boring Bar Set
Bottom Line
A budget set of bore bars with a lighter touch to work on soft metals like aluminum.
Shop Now
Yosoo
Top Pick
Yosoo
Lathe Boring Set
Bottom Line
A basic but durable set of bore bars that is perfect for beginning machinists and hobbyists.
Shop Now
Accusize Industrial Tools
Top Pick
Accusize Industrial Tools
Boring Bar
Bottom Line
A high quality individual boring bar that is perfect for general use on most machining projects.
Shop Now
Accusize Industrial Tools
Top Pick
Accusize Industrial Tools
Boring Bar Set
Bottom Line
One of the best premium bore bar sets to choose when you need more longevity from the tools.
Shop Now
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