Which tool is typically used to create a hole with a precise diameter?

The tool typically used to create a hole with a precise diameter is the reamer. Reamers are specifically designed to enlarge and accurately finish holes to the desired size and provide a smooth surface. Unlike drills, which are primarily used for creating holes, reamers refine the dimensions of existing holes, ensuring tolerance and precision. This feature is essential in aircraft metal structural repair, where exact measurements are necessary for the integrity and safety of the structure.

Drills, while useful for making initial holes, do not offer the level of precision that reamers do. They can create holes that are slightly larger or have rough edges, which may not meet the precise specifications required in aircraft components. Punches are primarily used to create holes in sheet metal by applying a localized force, resulting in a hole but without control over precise diameter adjustments. Files are used for shaping and smoothing metal surfaces, not for creating holes. Therefore, the reamer stands out as the best choice for achieving precise hole diameters in metal working processes.