Best Cylinder Honing Tool for Engines

Are you noticing the inconsistent performance in the cylinders of your engine? Wondering what causes these problems?

It happens when the cylinder's inner surface loses the cross-hatching pattern or unwanted deposit gets built up there.

The solution to this is rehoning the interior surface with the cross-hatch pattern. And you can do this easily using cylinder honing tools.

These tools allow you to increase the efficiency and lifespan of your cylinders. However, finding the best cylinder honing tool is not that easy. And choosing the wrong tool can end up damaging your cylinders.

But don't worry. We have discussed everything you need to know about cylinder honing tools. Yes, from types of hones to the top brands and a comprehensive buying guide including all the factors you must keep in mind, you'll find all the details here.

So without further ado, let us begin!

Cylinder Hone Types

A good-quality honing tool can make your cylinders work as well as new. But choosing one that's not suitable for your cylinder can completely ruin the cylinder.

Therefore, to get your hands on the ideal honing tools for cylinder, you need to get familiar with the types of cylinder hones.

There are mainly two types of cylinder hones. So, let's get to know them.

1. Rigid Or Stone Hones

This is the most known type of hone among mechanics. It consists of two or more grinding or honing stones. These stones are placed on the spring-loaded arms.

Rigid hones are recommended for primary cylinder honing, geometry repair, cylinder resizing, and material removal.

However, you should be careful while using rigid hones as honing stones can create unidirectional or uneven crosshatch. They also require precise pressure reduction while surface finishing the cylinder top.

2. Flex or Ball Hone

A flex hone kind of looks like a grainy bottle brush including rough spheres on the bristles. These are flexible because the globules are laminated to the nylon filaments permanently.

This type of hone is called multi-purpose as it can be used with various kinds of pistons. You can remove bore burrs, hone cylinder walls, and provide an excellent surface finish using this tool. It can also break edges on keyways and cross-holes.

Flex hones have become more popular as they come with thousands of cutting points in contrast to the two or three stones of the rigid hones. As a result, the surface finish achieved by flex hones is more uniform.

Top 7 Cylinder Honing Tool Reviews

1. YOTOO Engine Cylinder Hone Tool

When honing cylinders, having control over the speed and pressure is important. With less pressure, the honing task will take longer to finish. On the other hand, too much pressure can damage the cylinder bore.

The YOTOO Engine Cylinder Hone Tool gives you complete control over the spring pressure of stones. It comes with a knurled wheel that can be used to adjust the pressure of stones.

Turn this wheel clockwise when you need more pressure against the cylinder bore. And turn it anti-clockwise when the pressure needs to decrease. So, now you can hone your cylinders with enhanced precision.

Another great feature is the 4 inches long stone with 220 grit. You can remove unwanted deposits and rust much faster with this stone. What's more, you get three additional grit stones for future usage.

You'll be glad to know the stones are made with silicon carbide. Moreover, it has a shaft that’s both flexible and heavy-duty. Therefore, you will be able to hone multiple cylinders without any problem.

The flexible shaft is also self-centering. Meaning it will keep the abrasive balls in line during the honing process. As a result, you will get a uniform deglazing pattern on the cylinder.

Let's not forget the wide compatibility range this tool offers. You can use it with cylinder bores from 2 inches up to 7 inches in size. All these amazing features truly make it the best cylinder honing tool.

Highlighted Features

• This tool comes with three replaceable grit stones.
• It can be used with a wide range of cylinders.
• Features adjustable spring pressure.
• The honing shaft is self-centering.
• 220 grit makes honing smoother.

2. ABN Brake Cylinder Honing Tool

Are you looking for a small engine honing tool? Then look no further! This nine-inch ABN Brake Cylinder Honing Tool is the tool for honing smaller engines.

This tool is shorter in size so it'll easily fit your smaller cylinders of size 1.25 to 3.5 inches. You can also adjust the pressure according to your need. This precise control results in a clean and smooth surface.

Moreover, the three carbide stones effectively remove unwanted build-up from your cylinders. Another unique feature that makes these the finest grit stones is that they have square ends. And these ends make this tool ideal for blind-end and step-cut cylinders.

Even after months of use, this brake caliper tool will provide you with optimum performance. Wondering how that's possible? The combination of high-quality metal and carbide stones gives this tool ultimate strength and longevity.

That's not all, the abrasive stones are covered in stone sleeves. So, they will stay protected from environmental corrosion when not being used.

Using this tool is fairly easy too. You only need a drill and some brake fluid. Attach the tool to your drill and move up and down at low speed.

Overall, you will experience the fastest honing with great maneuverability with this tool. It has a tension control nut and a flexible shaft that gives you excellent results.

Highlighted Features

• This tool features adjustable speed control.
• It can deglaze bores with a 1.25 to 3.5-inch diameter.
• Works great with smaller engines.
• Comes with a self-centering shaft.
• Includes three square end carbide stones.

3. Brush Research BC10012 FLEX-HONE

Next, we have a brand that has pioneered the concept of flex honing tools. Yes, it's none other than Brush Research. Their BC10012 FLEX-HONE is one of the best cylinder hone tools.

This tool comes with coarse globules plated onto nylon filaments. And silicone carbide abrasives are used on the globules. This unique architecture makes this tool not only self-centering and self-aligning but also extremely versatile.

There is little you cannot do with this tool. Let's start with the surface finish. You will be able to achieve amazing finishing results repeatedly with the most minimal setup. And it is suitable for deglazing piston pins, valve guides, cam bearings, and much more.

Deburring can be costly if not done immediately and properly. And this flex hone tool will deburr your cylinders and remove even the smallest notches completely.

Moreover, you can achieve single RA finishes with this tool just by using a finer grit. Also, your cylinders will retain more oil now as this tool will deglaze your cylinder walls with uniform 45-degree crosshatch patterns.

That's not all, the advanced features and unique construction result in enhanced oil control, fast ring seating, decreased seepage, and better sealing performance.

Lastly, you get to choose from nine different abrasives and eleven types of grit. So, this flex hone tool will work for any type of engine cylinder with absolute precision.

Highlighted Features

• This tool has silicone carbide abrasive balls.
• It can be used with CNC equipment.
• The 120 grit creates 45-degree cross-hatch patterns.
• You can achieve single-digit RA finishes with it.
• Offers both deburring and surface finish results.

4. Brush Research FLEX-HONE Cylinder Hone

Meet another great cylinder deglazing tool from Brush Research. This FLEX-HONE Cylinder Hone is larger than the previous one. And it can be used for cylinder bores with 3.5 inches diameter.

You get to choose from multiple abrasive and grit types. And this specific tool uses 120 grit silicon carbide. The variety of options allow you to tailor the tool for your preferred finish.

Moreover, this honing tool creates an even cross hatching pattern. As a result, the cylinder can retain oil better and the lifespan of the overall engine increases.

Furthermore, you can achieve an authentic plateau finish free from torn, cut, or corrugated metal. Therefore, the hydraulic systems will present diminished seepage and improved oil control.

With this, you won't have to wait long to finish a honing task. The 700 rpm cutting speed also makes it perfect for deburring. You get to remove the burr from the port radiuses and cross-drilled holes.

What's more, you'll get to use it with more than just cylinders. This can be used with firearm chambers, shotgun barrels, musical instruments, air compressors, combustion chambers, and many more applications.

So, if you are looking for a honing tool that will be resilient enough to last for a while, go for this one. This self-compensating tool will stay intact even after hundreds of usage.

Highlighted Features

• This is a flex hone tool with nylon filaments.
• It has a rotational speed of 700 rpm.
• You can use it with any rotating spindle.
• Great for slot and cross-hole deburring.
• Compatible with 3.5-inch cylinder bores.

5. Weiler 34289 Crossflex Bore Brush

Meet the most heavy-duty honing tool for engine cylinder. Yes, the Weiler 34289 Crossflex Bore Brush comes with CrossFlex brushes with an increased brush-to-part contact that generates high burr removal capability.

This honing tool comes with a high 320 grit and 600 rpm rotational speed. The increased abrasion and higher speed remove the heaviest metal burrs so you get a smooth surface.

If you own a racing car, then you'll need a heavy-duty honing tool for frequent deglazing. And this tool can deglaze cylinder bores with up to five-inch diameters which are perfect for racing car engines.

The unique CrossFlex brushes offer precise performance and professional honing results. Moreover, the flexible nylon filaments ensure accurate pressure for each honing task. As a result, you get perfect crosshatch patterns.

Using this honing tool will improve your cylinder's oil retention and increase its efficiency. Also, as each of the filaments has a separate suspension the tool delivers a truly centered rotation.

Another great thing about CrossFlex brushes is that they possess an extended operational life. You can use the same tool for a long time without having to buy a honing tool every month. So, the total cost gets minimized compared to other low-quality brushes.

What's more, this tool provides an outstanding brush balance. That's why both professionals and car owners love to use this for handheld use and automated applications.

Highlighted Features

• This honing tool has a 600 rpm rotating speed.
• It comes with 320 grit abrasive.
• Nylon stems distribute the pressure evenly.
• Features unique CrossFlex brushes.
• Compatible with 5-inch cylinder bores.

6. Alltrade 648439 Cylinder Hone Deglazer

Looking for a quality honing tool but on a tight budget? Don't worry. The Alltrade 648439 Cylinder Hone Deglazer gives excellent features at an affordable price range without compromising on quality.

This adjustable honing tool is great for deglazing cylinder walls with 2 to 7-inch diameter. Meaning you can use this tool with several different engine cylinders.

After performing honing tasks the performance of your engine will definitely improve because the crosshatch pattern created by this tool retains oil with high efficiency.

That's not all, it features a heavy-duty shaft that's also flexible. You also get a knurled wheel for adjusting the grit stone pressure. With the help of this feature, you can accurately hone cylinder walls.

It's also convenient to use because you get to set two max diameters. On top of that, the adjustable screw and set screw allows you to work easily and efficiently.

Overall, if you want an affordable yet effective honing tool, this is a great option.

Highlighted Features

• This tool features a flexible shaft.
• Compatible with 2-7 inch cylinder bores.
• Includes a wheel for spring pressure adjustment.
• It comes with three 4-inch grit stones.
• Can restore the engine's original performance.

7. YOTOO 2-Piece Engine Cylinder Hone Set

Last but not least we have the YOTOO 2-Piece Engine Cylinder Hone Set. This is a package of two separate honing tools for accomplishing all your honing and deburring tasks.

If you’re looking for a great large and small engine cylinder honing tool, you should check out this package. This set comes with one honing tool for cylinders with 3/4 to 2-1/2 inch diameter. And the grit stones are 1-1/8 inches long.

And the second honing tool is for cylinders that are 1-1/4 to 3-1/2 in diameter. You get three 2-inch long grit stones with this one. So, you can use it for larger engine cylinders repeatedly.

Like other YOTOO honing tools, these are also self-centering. The flexible shaft ensures that the grit stones stay in line during honing. As a result, a uniform crosshatch pattern appears on the cylinder wall. And uniform honing means better oil retention and more effective engine performance.

Moreover, both honing tools feature knurled wheels. These wheels can control the spring pressure of the grit stones. So, you can control how much pressure the abrasive stones will put against the cylinder bore.

Either you own multiple engines with different sizes or an automobile workshop, this is a great package to have for multi-purpose honing.

Highlighted Features

• This package includes two honing tools.
• Adjustable shaft ensures self-centering.
• Made with high-quality carbon steel.
• Advanced arm design holds abrasives in line.
• Provides positive honing action at different speeds.

Comparison Table On Honing Tool

Also Read : Difference between Deglazing and Honing a Cylinder

FAQ

1. Why Do I Need Lubricants During The Honing Process? 

Answer: Water or oil-based lubricants wash away the previously cut metal from the cylinder's surface. As a result, the honing pressure increases. Moreover, tears on the bore are prevented and a uniform pattern is achieved.

2. What Type Of Surface Finishes Can Be Achieved By Honing?

Answer: You can achieve shallow angles or crosshatch patterns using the best cylinder honing tool. Moreover, using varied strokes and spindle speed, you can get a plateau finish.

3. Is Flux Necessary For Soldering Copper Pipe?

Answer: Yes, flux is necessary for soldering copper pipes. Strong metals like copper need an artificial acid flux for being properly soldered. The flux prevents oxidation and protects the metal from corrosion.

4. Will My Cylinder Bore Be Improved After Honing?

Answer: Yes, honing will improve waviness, diameter size, bell mouth, barrel shape, reamer chatter, boring marks, and out round holes. Meaning the overall condition of the cylinder bore improves. As a result, you will get a much efficient and quieter engine operation.

5. How Long Should I Hone The Cylinder Bore?

Answer: You should only hone the bore for 10-15 seconds. Within this time you will notice a consistent crosshatch pattern. Honing for longer with an abrasive honing tool can end up damaging the bore.

6. What Type Of Lubricants Can Be Used For Honing?

Answer: Using high-quality lubricants is a must for protecting the bore surface during honing. There are several types of lubricants available in the market such as water-soluble, cutting fluid, mineral oils, tapping fluids, and hydraulic brake oils, etc.

Final Word

Having a cylinder honing tool is a must if you want to keep your cylinders in proper shape. This tool will not only increase the efficiency of your engine but also make it last longer. However, determining which hone is suitable for your cylinder can be complicated.

If you have appropriate knowledge about the features that honing tools must-have, this task becomes much easier. Hopefully, this review gave you all the details you need to know to find the best cylinder honing tool.

That's not all, our FAQ section will clear any remaining doubts you have. So, choose the honing tool that matches both your requirements and the cylinder size. And make your cylinder work more efficiently than ever before.