Fluid-activated variable honing tools and method of using the same

An improved honing device for use with a machine spindle for rotating machining operations and a source of pressurized fluid comprising:

• (a) a tool mandrel having a proximal end with a tool holder disposed adjacent thereto, said tool holder having an engaging mechanism adapted and configured for quickly attaching said honing tool to the machine spindle;
• (b) a honing member secured to said mandrel, said member being substantially unitary and having an interior surface and an outer surface, said outer surface comprising an abrasive;
• and,
• (c) a fluid distribution system in said tool mandrel in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid and configured to allow selective application of pressurized fluid to said interior surface of said honing member for selectively and substantially uniformly expanding honing member in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis.

An improved method for honing the interior of a workpiece, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a honing device for use with a machine spindle and a source of pressurized fluid, said honing device including:
• a tool mandrel;
• a substantially rigid honing member secured to said mandrel, said member having an interior surface, an outer surface with an effective honing diameter, and a longitudinal axis, said outer surface comprising an abrasive portion;
• and,
• a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid and configured to selectively apply pressurized fluid to said interior surface of said honing member;
• (b) feeding the honing device into the interior of a workpiece to be honed;
• (c) rotating the device about said longitudinal axis;
• (d) selectively altering the fluid pressure in the fluid delivery system to substantially uniformly modify the effective diameter of the honing member in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the tool.