Deburring Tools

Deburring tools are used in FRC fabrication to remove sharp edges (burrs) created after cutting, drilling, or machining metal parts. Proper deburring improves safety, fit, and part durability.

What Is a Burr?

A burr is a sharp or rough edge left behind after:

• Drilling holes
• Cutting aluminum extrusion or plate
• Machining or grinding

Burrs can cause:

• Cuts and injuries
• Poor part fitment
• Difficulty inserting bolts or rivets

Deburring Tools

Hand Deburrer

• Small rotary tool with a cutting blade
• Used to chamfer hole edges
• Fast and easy for repeated use

Deburring Bit (in drill)

• Installed directly into a drill
• Quickly cleans hole edges
• Common in high-volume fabrication

File or Sanding Tool

• Used for larger edges or cut surfaces
• Removes sharp corners and smooths surfaces

Proper Use

• Lightly remove only the sharp edge (do not remove excess material)
• Deburr both sides of drilled holes when possible
• Smooth cut ends of extrusion after cutting
• Check parts by touch carefully after finishing

Common Mistakes

• Over-deburring (making holes oversized)
• Skipping internal hole edges
• Leaving sharp edges on cut extrusion
• Using excessive force that damages the part

Key Idea

Deburring is a small step that has a big impact. Removing sharp edges improves safety, ensures proper fastener fit, and increases overall build quality in FRC robots.