Line Boring Tools
Portable Line boring Equipment to repair holes on heavy equipment.  CLICK FOR HOMEPAGE.

Portable Line Boring Machine Equipment for fast concentric bore repair of holes on Backhoes, Dozers, Endloaders, Scrapper Hitches, Tractors, and more - using a standard mag drill press on heavy construction equipment.
Photo of John Deere backhoePhoto of John Deere excavatorPhoto of Caterpillar compacterPhoto of Caterpillar dozerPhoto of Caterpillar Scaper

Photo shows our 72 inch Line Boring System boring 4 holes in line on a large bucket.

Photo shows our 72" boring bar reboring 4 holes in line on a large bucket. The mag drill is held by our weld-on safety base in case of power failure. Also notice the 2 just bored and sleeved holes above.

Photo shows Case boom dis-assembled and getting rebored.

All you need is our line boring equipment, a mag drill, welder, grinder, C-clamps, caliper and hammer.

Q150 Line Boring System - with improved drill base adapter:
the most economical equipment to bore holes round and concentric again. 90% Made in USA. This setup is intended for repairing holes in heavy construction equipment such as cranes, backhoes, endloaders, excavators and tractors powered by your variable speed magnetic drill press with a 3/4 inch drill chuck.
It can also be used to rebore holes in machine frames, steel mill ladles, etc.
One year warranty against defects in American craftsmanship. Our 1.500" diameter boring bars hold standard 1/2" square shank carbide lathe cutting tools.

Q150-S Hole Boring Kit $1895.
Bores single holes or 2 holes in-line from 1.75 to 5.5 inches diameter spaced up to 20 inches apart.
Q150-S portable Line Boring Machine includes equipment carrying case - now with dolly wheels (new!)
Click to request more information
Powered by your magnetic drill with 3/4" drill chuck.
Optional Milwaukee Portable Magnetic Drill Press with chuck: $1495. (see below)
Optional Adaptor, large Cones & Bearing Plates to bore up to 8 inches diameter: $595. extra
Optional Q100S 1" x 36" Boring Bar Kit
for use with Q150 equipment - bores holes from 1.25 to 2" diameter: $750.

Optional BOA-308 Bore Welder: $5795. extra

1.50" dia x 36" long Boring Bar - made from highest quality chrome induction hardened and precision ground 100,000 PSI tensile strength alloy steel, resists burrs and scoring to still fit the bearings use after use. Cutting Bit mounting holes are spaced 5 inches apart. 3/4 shank with 3 flats for solid gripping by the drill chuck.
2 Self-aligning Bearings - the I.D. of the bearings have a perfect fit between bar and bearings, which insures holes can be bored to near zero TIR runout.
2 Bearing Plates and 4 Standoffs - 3/4 inch thick for easy weld on and vibration free machining.
Drill Base Adapter with built-in bearing - Important safety device to hold mag drill in case of power failure. Also designed to mount the BOA-308-S1 bore welder.
2 Centering Cones - for quick concentric alignment of the boring bar and bearings in larger holes.
2 Centering Sleeves - for quick concentric alignment of the boring bar and bearings in smaller holes.
7 Carbide Cutting Tools - 3 types of boring and 1 facing. Held in the boring shaft by heavy set screws.
1 Electronic Caliper - Measures 0" to 6" with digital readout to .001" in/mm
1 Carrying case - lasts a long time.

Photo of American Machine Tools Q150-L Portable Line Boring Bar and Equipment in transport box with dolly wheels.
Rebores multiple holes in-line from 1.75 to 5.5 inches diameter spaced up to 38" apart.
Q150-L:
$2395. Call 773-334-5000 to order this equipment. M - F, 9am - 5pm
Click to request a formal quote and more information

The standard Q150-L comes complete with everything you need except the mag drill:

1.50" dia x 54" long Boring Bar - made from highest quality chrome hardened and precision ground 100,000 PSI tensile strength alloy steel, resists burrs and scoring to still fit the bearings use after use. Cutting Bit mounting holes are spaced 5 inches apart. 3/4 diameter shank with 3 flats for solid gripping by your mag drill chuck.
3 bolt-on self-aligning Bearings - the I.D. of the bearings have a perfect fit between bar and bearings, which insures holes can be bored to near zero TIR runout.
3 Bolt-on Bearing Plates and 4 pairs of Standoffs - 3/4 inch thick for easy weld on and vibration free machining. Easy to unbolt for measuring. Black oxide coated to prevent rust.
1 Drill Base Adapter with built-in bearing -
Important safety device to hold mag drill in case of power failure. Also designed to mount the BOA-308-S1 bore welder.
2 Centering Sleeves - for concentric alignment of the boring bar and bearings in small holes.
2 Centering Cones - for quick concentric alignment of the boring bar and bearings in larger holes.
7 Carbide Cutting Tools - 3 types of boring and 1 facing. Held in the boring shaft by heavy set screws. Modifiable shank long enough to rebore 5" diameter.
1 Digital Electronic Caliper - Measures 0" to 6" with digital readout to .001"
1 Solid Wood Carrying Case - Padlockable, with 2 handles, and dolly wheels (new!).

Optional Milwaukee Portable Magnetic Drill Press with chuck: $1495. (see below)
You will need this if you do not already have a mag drill with 3/4" chuck.
Optional Adaptor to bore up to 8 inches diameter (with 8" cones & plates): $595. extra
Optional BOA-308 Bore Welder: $5795. extra

Optional 36" long short bar for easy close hole boring: $595. extra
Optional 72" long boring shaft instead of 55" long: $395. extra
Optional Q100S 1" x 36" Boring Bar Kit for use with Q150 equipment -
bores holes from 1.25 to 2" diameter: $750.
Optional Dial Indicator Bore Gage
(measures 2"- 6" within .001"): $95. extra
(see below)
Extra Cutting Tools: $19. each (minumum purchase is quantity of 10)

Photo of American Machine Tools Q150-XLS Portable Line Boring Shaft and Equipment in transport box with dolly wheels.
Rebores multiple holes in-line from 1.75 to 5.5 inches diameter spaced up to 56" apart.
Q150-XLS:
$2995. Call 773-334-5000 to order this equipment. M - F, 9am - 5pm
Click to request a formal quote and more information

The standard Q150-XLS comes complete with everything you need except the mag drill:

1.50" dia x 72" long Boring Bar - made from highest quality chrome hardened and precision ground 100,000 PSI tensile strength alloy steel, resists burrs and scoring to still fit the bearings use after use. Cutting Bit mounting holes are spaced 5 inches apart. 3/4 diameter shank with 3 flats for solid gripping by your mag drill chuck.
1.50" dia x 36" long Boring Bar - for easy close hole boring.
3 bolt-on self-aligning Bearings - the I.D. of the bearings have a perfect fit between bar and bearings, which insures holes can be bored to near zero TIR runout.
3 Bolt-on Bearing Plates and 4 pairs of Standoffs - 3/4 inch thick for easy weld on and vibration free machining. Easy to unbolt for measuring. Black oxide coated to prevent rust.
1 Drill Base Adapter with built-in bearing -
Important safety device to hold mag drill in case of power failure. Also designed to mount the BOA-308-S1 bore welder.
2 Centering Sleeves - for concentric alignment of the boring bar and bearings in small holes.
2 Centering Cones - for quick concentric alignment of the boring bar and bearings in larger holes.
7 Carbide Cutting Tools - 3 types of boring and 1 facing. Held in the boring shaft by heavy set screws. Modifiable shank long enough to rebore 5" diameter.
1 Digital Electronic Caliper - Measures 0" to 6" with digital readout to .001"
1 Solid Wood Carrying Case - Padlockable, with 2 handles, and dolly wheels (new!).

Optional Milwaukee Portable Magnetic Drill Press with chuck: $1495. (see below)
You will need this if you do not already have a mag drill with 3/4" chuck.
Optional BOA-308 Bore Welder: $5795. extra

Optional Adaptor to bore up to 8 inches diameter
(with 8" cones & plates): $595. extra
Optional Q100S 1" x 36" Boring Bar Kit for use with Q150 equipment -
bores holes from 1.25 to 2" diameter: $750.
Optional
Dial Indicator Bore Gage
(measures 2"- 6" within .001"): $95. extra
(see below)
Optional Ajustable centering tools: $195. extra

Extra Cutting Tools: $19. each (minumum purchase is quantity of 10)

Picture of Q150E which comes with the magnetic drillMagnetic Drill

Q150-E5: $4490. Rebores holes in-line from 1.75 to 5.5 inches diameter.
Q150-E8: $4995. Rebores holes in-line from 1.75 to 8 inches diameter.

Call 773-334-5000 to order this equipment
Click to request a formal quote and more information

Q150-E5 comes with:
1.50" dia x 72" long Boring Bar
- made from highest quality chrome hardened and precision ground 100,000 PSI tensile strength alloy steel, resists burrs and scoring to still fit the bearings use after use. Cutting Bit mounting holes are spaced 5 inches apart. 3/4 shank with 3 flats for solid gripping by your mag drill chuck.
1.50" dia x 36" long Boring Bar- for easy close hole boring.
1 Milwaukee Portable Magnetic Drill Press - with 3/4" chuck
and variable speed 12 Amp motor.
3 Self-aligning Bearings - the I.D. of the bearings have a perfect fit between bar and bearings, which insures holes can be bored to near zero TIR runout.
3 Bolt-on Bearing Plates and 4 pairs of Standoffs - 3/4 inch thick for easy weld on and vibration free machining. Easy to unbolt for measuring. Black oxide coated to prevent rust.
1 Drill Base Adapter with built-in bearing - Important safety device to hold mag drill in case of power failure. Also designed to mount the BOA-308-S1 bore welder.
2 Centering Sleeves - for concentric alignment of the boring bar and bearings in small holes.
2 Centering Cones - for concentric alignment of the boring bar and bearings in holes up to 5".
7 Carbide Cutting Tools - 3 types of boring and 1 facing. Held in the boring shaft by heavy set screws, modifiable shank.
1 Digital Electronic Caliper - measures 0" to 8" with digital readout to .001"
1 Heavy Duty Carrying Case - padlockable, with 2 handles, dolly wheels, solid wood to last.
Q150-E8 is same as E5 but also comes with:
1 Adaptor to bore up to 8 inches diameter - heavy duty solid steel. Black oxide coated.
3 Extra wide bolt-on Bearing Plates - to fit around 8" dia holes.
2 Centering Cones
- for concentric alignment of the boring bar and bearings in holes up to 8".

Optional BOA-308 Bore Welder: $5795. extra
Optional Q100S 1" x 36" Boring Bar Kit for use with Q150 equipment -
bores holes from 1.25 to 2" diameter: $750.
Optional
Dial Indicator Bore Gage
(measures 2"- 6" within .001"): $95. extra
(see below)
Extra Cutting Tools: $19. each (minumum purchase is quantity of 10)

Picture shows how easy it is to set up and repair pivot holes on a bucket.

Close up photo showing easily the linear bearing mounting plates are welded to standoffs that are welded in place. Notice the finished hole above.

Photo shows the Line Boring System boring 2 holes in line on a boom.


Photo shows our Line Boring System boring 2 holes in line with a Milwaukee Mag Drill. The manual feed allows you to control the pressure to save cutting bits.

Photo shows the Q150S attached to a customers mag drill turning a torch cut hole into a finished 6 inch diameter hole.

Photo shows the Q150S with oversize adapter attached to a customers mag drill turning a rough torched hole into a finished 6 inch diameter hole.

Picture shows what was a rough torch cut hole turned into a finished 6 inch diameter hole.

Close up photo shows a finished 6 inch diameter hole that was also counterbored 1/16 deep by the Q150S. Hole was originally torch cut.

Photo of line bore equipment assembly

Customer's photo shows typical assembly of line bore equipment with Milwaukee magnetic drill. A chain was used to lift magnetic drill press in position. He used 3 bearings reduce vibration of boring bar. If you look closely, you can just barely see the cabide cutting bit sticking out of the shaft next to the hole on the left side.

BOA-308 Welding Package $5995.
(only $5795 if purchased with our Q150 Boring Equipment)
This bore welder system is for fast welding in bores from 1.50" (32mm) to 8.0" (204mm) diameter.
• Compatible with all new Q150 line boring systems
• Pass-through drive system features telescoping, reversible torch extension with precision lead-screw feed ensures accurate, repeatable weld bead placement ensuring proper bead to bead and bead to base metal penetration (weld thickness is easily adjusted by increasing or decreasing torch speed and wire feed speed)
• Durable corrosion-resistant construction throughout
• Lockable clutch allows single-plane first welds
• Easily adapted to your existing MIG wire feeder and power supply
• Easily adapted to a variety of boring bar systems using standard BRS interchange kits
• Pivoting torch head allows system to weld in large range of bore sizes with no torch change
• All weld nozzles are electrically isolated, thread-on design
• All weld tips are straight thread-in design; easily replaced and inexpensive
• Excellent telephone tech support

Package includes:
• Adapter to fit your MIG welder
• Weld-on mounting bracket
• Custom heavy duty aluminum carrying/storage case
• Arc start / stop / interrupt switch
• Power cord • Operators manual • Tool kit
• One piece motion device and controller with eight position borewelder mount
• 1.25" stainless steel support tube
• Mini diffuser
• Mini nozzle (insulated)
• Standard diffuser
• (2) .8mm (.030") Stub tips
• (2) .8mm (.030") Standard tips
• Standard nozzle (insulated)
• Stub nozzle (insulated)
• Standard torch assembly with 24" extension tube and 120" conduit
Click to request a formal quote and more info

Photo of holes being welded in line
Picture of BOA-308i-S1 welder
Options:
• Auto-skip upgrade (standard BOA-308i may be upgraded at any time)
• MIG Power supply and/or wire feeder
• Outside diameter and face torches
• Extended range internal diameter welding components (up to 940mm (37") diameter)
• Bore welder to boring bar interchange kit (allows units to share single support)
• Adjustable "T" Base for easy universal bore welder mounting and setup
• Large diameter torch and accessories
Picture shows the BOA-308-Si welding a hole while attached to the Q150 mag drill adapter base. Photo courtesy of Boyd Brothers in Texas.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING OUR LINE BORE EQUIPMENT:
ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES ! * ALWAYS KEEP HAIR, CLOTHING, HANDS AND FINGERS CLEAR !
It helps to have a 2nd person to assist with the setup.
This is intended for reboring pivot holes in heavy equipment such as cranes, backhoes, end loaders, excavators and tractors powered by your variable speed magnetic drill with a 3/4 inch capacity drill chuck. Our equipment might also be useful to rebore holes on machinery side frames, printing press frames, steel mill ladles, bridge pivots, etc.

1) Using the two outermost holes to repair, insert one plastic alignment cone (or metal sleeve for small holes) into the center of each hole. If using the line-up sleeves (for very small holes), carefully wrap tape concentrically around the outer diameter of each sleeve for snug fit between the sleeve and the hole. It sounds strange but tape works. It is important to closely match the placement of your centering cone or sleeves with the original hole center, so take your time and get it right.
2) Slide the boring bar through each cone (or sleeve) and tighten the set screws in the cones.
3) Bolt a self-aligning bearing to a bearing backup plate using bolts and washers.
4) Slide one bearing & plate on the end of the boring bar and the drill base adapter (with built-in self-aligning bearing) onto the shank end. Screw 4.5" riser blocks to bearing plates and to the drill adapter base with the flat head screws where ever riser blocks can be welded to connect bearing plates to equipment to be line-bored. The 4.5" inch riser blocks also allow easy removal of alignment cone and access for cutting tool adjustment and measuring of the hole with the digital caliper (a flashlight helps to see).
5) Remember that the drill base adapter can also be used to attach the optional BOA-308-S1 Bore Welder.
6) Weld all stand-offs to heavy equipment to be line bored using large tack welds.
7) Undo the cone set screws, slide the boring bar part way out and remove the cones (or sleeves) from under the bearing plates.
8) Add more bearings where possible to prevent vibration during boring. We recommend one on each side of every hole you wish to bore (unless there are more than 2 holes).
Photo shows Q150XLS with Milwaukee magnetic drill press reboring a CAT 950 Loader

9) After welding all the bearings in place it may be necessary to loosen the bolts that hold the bearings to the plates (one bearing plate at a time) and tap the boring bar slightly because the welding process may create a tension that can reduce the free movement of the bar through the bearings.
10) Carefully tighten the chuck of your magnetic drill onto the 3 flats of the shank of the boring bar while supporting the weight of the mag drill. Use the jacking screw in the adapter base threaded tab to support and position the drill. It may be helpful to loosen and retighten the drill base swivel if your mag drill has it.
Be careful not to bend the shank of the boring bar with the magnetic drill press weight.

11) On the Safety Adapter Base; tighten the 4 side clamping bolts against the drill magnet base. In case of electrical power failure, this is to help prevent the magnetic drill from injuring you or bending the boring shaft. A blown fuse, circuit breaker, bad cord or stopped generator can cause power failure.
12) Insert carbide cutting tool into boring bar. Set screw in place to proper dimension for cutting. Use the digital caliper to position the carbide cutter by measuring from the tip of the carbide to the back of the boring bar and subracting half the thickness of the boring bar. This measurement will set your cutting radius which equals half your boring diameter. If the set screw makes a dent in the carbide cutter shank, you will find it is difficult to adjust the cutter out less than a 1/16" so it is best to sand the dent or use a fresh cutter.
13) Apply oil to cutting tip and spray oil in hole. Check to make sure the drill chuck is still tight on the shank.
14) Begin cutting at low RPMs. You should be able to remove up to 1/16 per side with each pass. 1/32 if cutting through weld or boring large holes. Keep the carbide tool bits at low RPMs (100 max rpm for 8" diameter, 160 max rpm for 5" dia, 225 max rpm for 3.5" dia, 400 rpm max for 2" dia). If the cutting tool is fighting hard, apply less pressure, to make the carbide cutting tools last longer.
15) The left hand cutting tool bits are for rough and finish cutting and the square cut tool bits are for finishing and the side cut tool is used for face cutting.
ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES ! * ALWAYS KEEP HAIR, CLOTHING, HANDS AND FINGERS CLEAR !
Do not rush. There is no substitute for using caution and common sense.

There are usually two options to repair pivot holes on heavy equipment:
16A) Holes can be welded and then bored back to the original specs. Unless you purchase a Bore Welder such as the BOA-308, this is time consuming because it requires a lot of welding to fill in the worn spots. Grind off or bore out galled metal first, because if you weld on top of galled metal the weld will harden too much and you will waste many carbide cutters trying to bore the hard weld in the hole. Make sure you use the correct weld rod/wire for reboring with carbide cutting bits. 6011 rod is easier to machine than 7018 but wears faster. For wire use 70S6 or substitute 70S2. It may help to first bore with a HSS cobalt steel cutter (instead of brittle carbide) to remove the high spots from hand welding.
16B) Holes can be bored larger than spec size, and then a sleeve can be welded into the hole (we recommend about 3/4 diameter larger) or an oversize bushing can be installed if there was a bushing before. Then when the holes become worn out again simply replace the old sleeve or bushing with a new one. They are easily made on a metal working lathe. Heat treating the sleeve will make it last longer. Original Spec size is the original hole diameter specified by the manufacturer (such as Caterpillar) to fit the outer diameter of the pivot shaft, or if there is supposed to be a bushing, then spec size is the hole sized to press fit the outer diameter of the bushing that the shaft fits into. Check with the manufacturer for original specifications. Oversize bushings can sometimes be purchased from an industrial bearing supplier such as one at the website www.ebushing.com/HSB.html or from a heavy equipment dealer. If your holes are not too worn and an oversize bushing is available, then you can just bore to fit the new larger outer diameter of the bushing. You can freeze some bushings overnight and slip them into the holes in the morning for an easy press fit into a hole that is undersized by about .0005" per inch of O.D. Beware that the bushing I.D. does not collapse in so much that you need to bore or hone the I.D. to fit the pin.
17) Stop to measure often. Use the digital caliper provided or optional dial indicator bore gage. The easist way to get the the most exact finish is to hone the last .001". This reduces the risk of accidently boring too much.
18) When holes are finish sized, remove Magnetic drill and all bearings.
19) Cafefully use a torch and hand grinder to remove bearing standoff plates for future use.
20) If you are careful you should use about 2 or 3 carbide cutting bits per hole set. Welded holes are hard on carbide bits and may use more.
21) Our standard equipment can bore up to 5.5" diameter but be aware that extending the cutting tool bit out far increases unwanted vibration (tool chatter). To bore holes larger than 5 inches, use the optional oversize adapter which allows hole boring up to 8 inches. The adapter slides on the boring bar and is designed to be screwed into one of the threaded holes and then clamped in place with place by tightening the clamping screw. The cutting bit can then be used inside the adapter to bore up to 8" diameter. The optional adapter comes with 8" diameter cones and longer bearing mounting plates to bridge 8" holes.
NOTE: The carbide tips can be modified or sharpened with a green silicon grinding wheel mounted on a bench/pedestal grinder. All the cutting bits shipped with the line boring equipment are stock size, so that each tool is capable of cutting to the maximum diameter. To bore holes smaller than 3" diameter, cut the shank of a cutting tool bit with a metal cutting saw. To bore very small holes, you may need to grind back some of the cutting tool head so that it can fit further down into the tool hole on the boring shaft. Our equipment uses standard 1/2" square lathe carbide cutting tools.

ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES ! * ALWAYS KEEP HAIR, CLOTHING, HANDS AND FINGERS CLEAR !

Precision Dial Indicator Bore Gage $95.

• Measues 2.0" - 6.0" with 11 anvils
• 0.0005" Graduation indicator.
• 6 inch probe depth
• For measuring hole diameters, tapers, and roundness.
• Self centering.
• Comes with AGD Group II dial indicator.
• Fitted case with anvils index.

Milwaukee Magnetic Drill Press
Combination with 3/4 inch chuck to fit the shank of our line boring shaft:
$1495.00
if purchased with a line boring setup.
($1595.00 if purchased separately.)

  • 120 VOLT AC ONLY
  • POWERFUL 12.5 AMPS RATING
  • Swivel-lock Adjustable Positioning Base
  • Swivelable base locks in position
  • Solid State Electronic Switching
  • Feedback Speed Control
  • Variable Speed
  • Computer Controlled Reverse
  • Full Wave Holding Power
  • Superior Cutting Tool Performance
  • Line Lock-Out: Prevents tool from operating should voltage be restored to an interrupted line when switch is locked in the "on" position.
  • Motor/Magnet Interlock
  • Base/Chip De-Mag
  • Soft-Start
  • For Use On Any Flat Ferrous Material 1/2" And Thicker

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Phone: 773-334-5000
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