Drill bit sharpening

[5030]

Something like, You don't get good at something by not doing it!

Absolutely. Problem is, sucking at sharpening a drill bit only equates to a buggered hole (oval), or a buggered bit because of too much feed pressure applied. Practice on larger drills over 1/4" to sharpen (pun intended) your skill before trying drills under 1/4". I can offhand sharpen a 30 wire size bit with my magnifiers on. Any smaller for me is impractical, I can't see the end to get the relief right.

It's all in the hands. You develop the heel clearance with your left hand fingers while rotating the shank with your right hand fingers while maintaining the correct lead angle with both hands. Simple with practice. Frustrating for the inexperienced and why 'Drill Doctors' are always 'on call'..... Darex (Drill Doctor) builds some very fancy drill sharpeners as well as end mill sharpeners for many thousands of dollars. There retail Drill Doctor is just one of many models.

My issue with the retail store model is simply it's limited range. My shop drills run in all sizes from 1.5" down to a No.80

Sort of like TIG welding or Gas welding, keeping the filler rod in the gas envelope and feeding the proper amount in the weld puddle. Thats a 2 handed thing too. Not everyone can 'stack dimes'. Takes practice.