Do "Drill Doctors" drill bit sharpeners work?

[DocHeb]

Re: Do \"Drill Doctors\" drill bit sharpeners work?

I got one for a gift last Christmas, and have been very happy with it. I went through a whole drawer of useless bits, sharpened them up, and they work very well. I even sharpened a couple bits that had snapped in half and they were like new.

There is a little learning curve to have the grinder work well, but, as mentioned above, read the directions carefully. With a couple tries I think you will be happy with the results. Start with larger bits so you can see the grinding angles they talk about in the instruction book. My bifocals weren't quite enough, so I used a magnifying glass (until I got the hang of it) to inspect my progress. I really like the split point option for the larger bits.

 

[beenthere]

Re: Do \"Drill Doctors\" drill bit sharpeners work?

dmanspadge
I haven't found that in my experience. Actually get better cutting after the 'new' edge is gone, and the 'Drill Dr' edge is on the bit. But, it may be a difference in drill bits, and I don't know that much about what those differences are. When buying bits, one has to wonder a 'bit' what he is really getting for quality, at least I do. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[DmansPadge]

Re: Do \"Drill Doctors\" drill bit sharpeners work?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( dmanspadge
I haven't found that in my experience. Actually get better cutting after the 'new' edge is gone, and the 'Drill Dr' edge is on the bit. But, it may be a difference in drill bits, and I don't know that much about what those differences are. When buying bits, one has to wonder a 'bit' what he is really getting for quality, at least I do. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )</font>

There is no telling! It probably amounts to which brand bits you are using. We have mostly Craftsman at work. But half the time we are probably using them on hardened metals that the bit should never have to face in the first place! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The Drill Doc does do a good job of putting an edge on the bit. Sure beats using a grinder!

 

[roccon31]

Re: Do \"Drill Doctors\" drill bit sharpeners work?

i also have a drill doctor and i love it. it is not the new fancy kind, rather the old, first model that is old and beat up. still works great though!

 

[bgott]

Re: Do \"Drill Doctors\" drill bit sharpeners work?

What you are running into is that you are losing the temper out of your bits. Most twist drill bits are hardened and tempered the same from end to end. People keep drilling after the the bit is dull and that builds heat. Once you draw the temper out the only way to get the same life out of the grind would be to re-harden and re-temper the bit or to grind it back from the heat affected area.

 

[markct]

Re: Do \"Drill Doctors\" drill bit sharpeners work?

i agree, a good drill bit is hard all the way thru, altho i have seen realy cheap sets of drill bits that were only case hardened! if thats the case then yes after the first sharpening they are no good for drilling anything but balsa wood or styrofoam. but a good drill bit will be hard all the way thru. just like a lathe toolbit is, unless of course its overheated from improper use. the biggest problem with most drill bits isnt a problem with the drill at all, its the operator, i see so many people drilling a 3/8 hole in steel with a 3/8 drill motor running wide open at 2000 rpm, the drill chattering a squeling away, that is what kills most bits, a 3/8 bit in mild steel should run around 800 rpm, a half inch bit about 400 or 500rpm, at that sorta speeds they will last a lot longer. the thing i found makes the biggest difference in bit life especialy in the larger sizes, like 7/16 to 1 inch, and is a great convenience on any size hole, is a magnetic base drill press, i love my magbore drill and rarely use a regular handheld drill at all anymore, see the attached picture, i am drilling thru heavy angle iron as easily as i would in the shop drill press

 

[imported_OWDouglas]

Re: Do \"Drill Doctors\" drill bit sharpeners work?

My Dad Got one for Christmas last year. It works pretty good, took a totally dull bit and put some life back into it.

 

[Ductape]

Re: Do "Drill Doctors" drill bit sharpeners work?

I had to revive this thread since i asked for, and recieved a Drill Dr. 750 for Christmas from my wife . I gotta say i don't know how i've made it this far in my life without one !!! I can't count how many incomplete drill bit sets i have, with dull, broken, or missing bits. Seems every time i needed a particular sized bit and didn't have a set with that size in it (or sharp), I'd go out and buy a cheap set to get the job done. It did take a few tries to get the hang of it, but in the past couple days I'll bet I've sharpened 50+ dull drill bits. No doubt i've already covered half the cost of the Drill Dr. already. I've never worked in a machine shop, so i don't know how well any sort of industrial drill sharpener works....... but as a (relatively) inexpensive home-owner type machine, i feel it works really well. If you don't own one..... you are missing out !!!

 

[kenmac]

Re: Do "Drill Doctors" drill bit sharpeners work?

Years ago I worked in a machine shop. I didn't learn very much but, I did learn how to sharpen drill bits. Last year for christmas, my kids gave me a drill dr. It sharpens drill bits better than I can do it free handed

 

[Scooby074]

Re: Do "Drill Doctors" drill bit sharpeners work?

I have the small drill DR. Its been great. It only goes to 1/2" but thats all right as i dont have too much of an issue hand sharpening the larger bits on the grinder.