What is the Difference Between Drilling and Boring?

Drilling and boring are both machining processes used to create holes in workpieces, but they serve different purposes and use different methods:

Drilling:

• Drilling is the primary process used to create a hole in the workpiece.
• It uses a drill bit that rotates rapidly as it moves through the workpiece.
• Drilling is typically performed to create straightforward holes, such as for screws or bolts.

Boring:

• Boring is a secondary process that enlarges or finishes a preexisting hole.
• It uses a single-point cutting tool called a boring bar or head to remove material from the inner surface of the hole.
• Boring is often used to achieve closer tolerances and higher quality finishes in drilled holes.
• There are two major types of boring operations: roughing and finishing. Roughing enlarges a hole by removing significant portions of metal, while finishing is a more precise process that utilizes shallow cutting depths to improve the surface.

In summary, drilling is used to create an initial hole in a workpiece, while boring is performed to enlarge or finish an existing hole, often to achieve closer tolerances and better surface finishes.

Comparative Table: Drilling vs Boring

Here is a table comparing the differences between drilling and boring:

Both drilling and boring are machining or metal cutting operations that remove excess material from a workpiece with the help of a cutting tool. However, their objectives and applications are different. Drilling is used to create new holes, while boring is used to enlarge or refine existing holes.