Reamers are an essential part of the wildcatting pursuit.

Whose reamers do you like, and why do you like them?

Cheers,
BigIron

The benchrest boys seem to very much like Pacific Precision Grinding and their manager, Dave Kiff. I learned why when I telephoned him to ask some questions about a reamer. he is knowledgable, nice, doesn't make you feel retarded and is ready and willing to do custom work with accuracy in mind. He really is accomodating.

As for the PPG reamers...I keep seeing many 'smiths using them. There must be a reason why, yes? You know the benchrest people won't use something unless it will help their scores.

One simple answer. Dave Kiff at Pacific Tool and Gauge, PTG. He is a walking library. The people there are very helpful and kind. The price is right. And most important, the reamers are excellent. Sometimes I wonder why I would ever polish such a clean chamber after cutting. They are nice. I have some old Kieth Francis reamers that are good. I have seen and heard of old Elliot Reamers. They are mistical and ledgendary. If you find a real one, buy it and put it in a glass case.

Dave Manson of Manson Precision, Loon Lake ... Dave has made reamers for all our wildcats, as well a provided custom HS gauges for other "off the wall" projects, and provide hard to find reamers. He has gone so far as to call Dave Davison at CH Tool and Die to discuss the dimensions of the die, formed case and drawings, to make sure all parts and pieces fit. The office crew is great and every year at SHOT I just enjoy visiting with them ....

I use Dave Kiff at Pacific Tool. Very knowledgeable about reamers and tooling. Havent used anyone else in a few years now.
Charlie

Well, I have done business with both and found them most accomodating. The quality of reamers they manufacture sure seems outstanding to me. I don't think you could go wrong with either.
Just my .05's worth.

Ol' John

Thanks, all, for the comments. They are much appreciated.

BigIron

Dave Kiff of PPG or PT&G, whichever you choose to call it.

Used to use a famous firm from Coos Bay, Oregon, but changed...

Why?

1. Dave Kiff LISTENS, and you get to talk directly to him, the guy who's gonna do the grinding...

2. Dave does exactly what you agree to...
At the famous place you just get to talk to the female receptionist, who apparently has trouble understanding spatial relations. Two of my last three orders from them were something other than what I ordered. On one, I even sent in a highly detailed drawing and it still came back different.

With Dave they are NEVER different than what you asked for.

And while you're at it, he's great for range rods, too. (For centering lathe set-up on the barrel bore center)

AC

[ 10-02-2003, 21:42: Message edited by: Alberta Canuck ]

Another vote for
Dave Kiff. And the vote is for him, as PT&G would not be what it is without him.

Hey BigIron,

A couple years ago I wanted a .405 Win. built on a P14 action. My gunsmiths said they didn't have a reamer for the .405. I called Clymer and they said they had an old one that had been on the shelf. They gave me a great price (according to the prices on the Internet) and I had the reamer in 4 days. Hopefully, within a couple months I will have the finished .405 in my hands.

I like Clymer for that reason.

Good Shooting,

Smoker*

I use manson reamers. I've never had any problem with them at all. I have numerous orders in and I'm always well taken care of.

Dan

The first Wildcat I designed was with Dave Kiff's help, talk about making it simple for the beginner! A pleasure to talk to, as stated above, takes the time you need to arrive at what you're looking for and helps you every step of the way, in my case even with multiple, multiple phone calls too. The guy was simply born with customer service as a middle name! You'll never find another guy that will do better, maybe equal, but better is practically an impossibility. The reamers are a work of art, exactly what I asked for was delivered. My hat's off to Dave, and he has my buisiness for years to come.

Gentlemen,

Dan Green, of Foregreens, made absolutely the very best reamers we have ever used.

I have a whole bunch of his reamers here, and they are the most precious tools we have.

I think he has stopped making reamers himself, and joined one of the major tool makers.

I use mostly PPG reamer ( very nice company ) , Dave Manson too ( very good company too )

Forgreen are very very good but delivery time is far too be very very good and on delivery time PPG is faster than any

good shooting

DAN TEC

Manson. Because both of my latest gunsmiths swoon over his reamers. He was very prompt and helpful on several previous orders. He also took other brand new reamers from (CENSORED MANUFACTURER NAME- same initials as: Just Got Sex) and sharpened them for me, then they worked well. He did my .510 JAB reamer to perfection. I am looking into a .375 Weatherby reamer now, and I think Dave Manson will be the one to do this. Dave Kiff or Dave Manson are both good.

My personal recommendation: Manson, Dave Manson.