A drill bushing is a hardened, precision sleeve installed in a jig or fixture. It guides drills, reamers, or taps. It keeps hole location accurate and repeatable. It also protects the fixture plate from wear.
Most standard bushings are made from hardened tool steel. They are precision ground and heat treated for wear resistance. This ensures long life in high-cycle production environments.
Start with:
Tool diameter
Required tolerance
Production volume
Type of fixture
For high-volume production, renewable bushings with liners are preferred. For simple, low-volume work, press-fit fixed bushings are common.
Carr Lane bushings are manufactured to industry standards such as ANSI and DIN. They are available in inch and metric sizes. Standard types include fixed, renewable, liner, and slip-fit bushings.
Press-Fit (Fixed)
Permanently installed
Best for dedicated fixtures
Lower initial cost
Slip-Fit (Renewable)
Removable and replaceable
Used with liner bushings
Ideal for high wear or tool changes
The ID tolerance controls tool guidance. Tight ID tolerance improves hole accuracy and tool life. The OD tolerance ensures proper retention in the fixture plate. Poor fit can cause misalignment or spinning.
Yes. Special IDs, ODs, lengths, shoulder styles, or materials can be specified. Custom bushings are common in aerospace, medical, and automotive applications where tolerances are critical.
Press-fit bushings are installed using an arbor press. Proper bore sizing in the jig plate is critical. Slip-fit bushings are inserted into liner bushings and secured with a lock screw.
Avoid hammer installation. It can damage concentricity.
Inspect for wear or bell-mouthing
Keep chips clear
Replace renewable bushings as needed
Verify alignment during scheduled fixture checks
High-speed drilling and abrasive materials increase wear rate.
Standard bushings are often stocked for quick shipment. Specials depend on specification and volume. For production planning, confirm stock and delivery directly with Carr Lane or your distributor.
