The relief of the cutting edges should be comparatively slight. They can be ground close on the tool post
grinder and stoned flat with an Arkansas stone. The flat relief is what I have used all along, because the
reamer has a keener cutting edge.
CHATTER
This will be the one thing in barrel making that will cause you the most trouble. Even if the reamer and
relief are perfect, you can still get chatter. The first thing you need to do when using a new reamer is to
spray the reamer with layout fluid. If the reamer is chattering, when you remove the reamer, be able to
see if you have enough clearance, etc.
Sometimes a too sharp a reamer will chatter, or it may have too much clearance. If the pilot on the
reamer is not a close enough a fit, that can cause chatter. Sometimes reducing or increasing the speed
or feed will help. I cut all of my reamers on zero rake, and have very little trouble. If you are using
commercial reamers, there can be too much positive or negative rake, and that can cause chatter.