Drill Bushing Selection Tips
You can be sure with ACME that you’re buying the best bushing for the job. Bushings and accessories have been the backbone of our business since 1914. Our nationwide network of industrial distributors further assures you of prompt personal service.
You may find it helpful first to define your specific needs, and then select a compatible bushing. Standard, off-the-shelf drill bushings are the least expensive. Sometimes, though you may require a special order. Acme will be glad to help you with your toughest requirements.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please call our customer service department at : (847) 428-3911 or (800) 323-5582. Our qualified staff of customer service representatives will be happy to assist you or provide you with the name of the ACME distributor nearest you.
Things to consider in selecting the PROPER drill bushing
- Use – To drill, tap or ream?
- Kind – Headless, Head, Slip-Fixed Renewable?
- Production Run – Tungsten Carbide or Titanium Nitride Coated bushings, even at a slightly higher cost than standard steel, will last longer during long production runs.
- Size – Hole size, O.D. size, and length.
- Special Requirements – Threaded O.D., angles, flats on head, other special dimensions.
- Standard or Special – Standard sizes are less expensive. Is a special bushing really necessary or will a standard fill your requirement?
Acme is committed to the concept of manufacturing our bushings without a counterbore. We believe this produces a better, longer lasting and more versatile bushing (especially if you require modified or special bushings). Even though No-Counterbore bushings are more difficult and costly to produce, because close tolerances are required the full length of the bushing, No-Counterbore Bushings Are Standard With ACME! Counterbored bushings will be supplied only upon special request.
Headless Press Fit Bushings
ANSI/ACME Designation Type P
- Most popular, therefore, least expensive
- Typically for single stage drilling operations
- Permits close spacing
- Mounts flush with top of jig plate
- Available with finish ground O.D. or unground for custom grinding
Head Press Fit Bushings
ANSI/ACME Designation Type H
- Same as Headless Press Fit but with head (or shoulder) on the drill entry end
- Head prevents heavy axial loads from forcing bushing through jig hole
- Available with finish ground O.D. or unground for custom grinding
- Flush mounting is possible by counterboring jig hole to fit bushing head
Slip-Fixed Renewable Bushings
ANSI/ACME Designation Type SF
- The “Two-in-One” Bushing: Fixed mode and slip position options on one knurled head! – flexibility lowers your inventory costs
- Knurled head for easier handling – just turn and lift!
- Used with liner, permanently pressed into drill jig
- Fixed mode for runs longer than life of bushing. Held in place by lockscrew or clamp which fits a milled recess in the head.
- Slip mode for multiple operations on the same holes (such as drilling followed by reaming) – without disturbing the workpiece.
- O.D. has a slip fit tolerance for easy insertion or removal from the liner
Headless Press Fit Liners
ANSI/ACME Designation Type L
- Used with Slip-Fixed Renewable bushings to provide precise location point
- Permits interchange of Type SF bushings with varied I.D.’s – without affecting centerline accuracy
- Permanently pressed into jig plate – for life of the jig
- Protects jig plate hole from wear caused by frequent bushing replacement
- Used where little impact will occur on the SF bushing’s head
Head Press Fit Liners
ANSI/ACME Designation Type HL
- Similar to Headless Press Fit Liners but with head or shoulder
- Use with Slip-Fixed Renewable bushings whenever excessive pounding will occur during operation
- Head prevents liner from being pushed through jig
- Flush mount by counterboring top of hole in jig plate
- Available with finish ground O.D. or unground for custom grinding
Gun Drill Bushings
ACME Designation Type GD
Gun drills are used where maximum precision for long, deep holes is essential.
- Types GDB and GDX are single piece construction
- The other type of Gun Drill bushing is two piece construction. It consists of a Liner (GDL) and an Insert (GDI). The Insert can be removed from the Liner thus allowing for a range of I.D. sizes using the same Liner
- Acme can manufacture special Gun Drill bushings to fit your exact requirements
Oil Groove Bushings
ACME Designation Type OG
- Used for drill lubrication or as a bearing
- Lubricant (or coolant) flows through grooves in bushing I.D. wall
- 25 Oil Groove styles available – headless or with heads
- Wiper designs available to help guard against dirt or chips
- NOTE: The oil groove should not break out the wiper end of the bushing
Extended Range Bushings and Liners
- Sizes larger than ANSI or ACME standards
- Available in types P, H, SF, L and HL
- Unground O.D.’s available for custom grinding
Embedment Bushings
- Designed specifically for use in soft materials such as aluminum or magnesium
- Can also be used in jigs or fixtures made with laminated fiberglass or castable potting compounds
- Three types available: Diamond Groove, Ser-Groove, and Spline-Lock
Tungsten Carbide Bushings
- Extremely Hard – hardness of 78-80 RC
- Can last up to 50 times longer than conventional steel bushings
- Available in Type CP, CH, and CSF
Titanium Nitride (TiN) Coated Bushings
- Is the brittle nature of Carbide Bushings unacceptable for your application?
- Does the quantity of bushings you require for a job make Carbide Bushings cost prohibitive?
- Is the abrasive action of Carbide Bushings causing premature tool wear?
Acme Ultimate Bushings are the answer!
Acme Ultimate bushings are Titanium Nitride (TiN) coated for longer life. Titanium Nitride coated bushings have a hardness of 82-85 RC. This increase in surface hardness means the bushings can stand the abrasive wear of tools and chips for much longer periods of time and are less brittle than regular carbide bushings.
The TiN coating on Acme Ultimate Bushings has a very slippery surface. This slippery surface on the I.D. of the bushing will help increase tool life.
The greater the number of bushings needed for an application, the more Acme Ultimate Bushings can reduce your cost.
-
- Can last up to 40 times longer than conventional steel bushings
- Excellent results where long wearing capabilities are needed but carbide may be too brittle
- Much more cost effective than carbide bushings when larger quantities are involved. Can be as low as three pieces depending on size.
Special/Custom Bushings
- Modified Standard – an ANSI/ACME standard bushing is modified or altered in I.D., O.D. or length
- Custom Bushing – Those bushings that can not be easily modified. Requirements can include special diameters, shapes, angles, materials, threads, etc.
Tool Holder Bushings
- Used to adapt various tools to tool holders or turret bores on many types of machine tools
- Available in six different styles and a complete range of sizes
- Special sizes and configurations can be manufactured to meet your exact requirements
