Sharpening drill bits

[beowulf]

I will put my collection of dull drill bits up against anyones - both in terms of the number of bits and how dull they are. I guess I have a problem tossing them. Anyway, yesterday after trying a number of bits to get a job done and finding none of them sharp enough, I thought about either tossing them or considering a bit sharpener. I have no experience with any kind of bit sharpener, so before I toss them, my question: Do they work at all? What kinds are there? Recommendations? Is it worth it to even try?

Thanks to all who can help.,

 

[grsthegreat]

Do a search on this site. There are alot of posts about bit sharpeners.

 

[beowulf]

Do a search on this site. There are alot of posts about bit sharpeners.

Thanks, grs. Great idea. No need to have a re-do here. I will do that. Usually I will do a search but I don't always have luck finding the threads. Much appreciated.

 

[Roadworthy]

I got a Drill Doctor. I got their top of the line model for the added versatility. It takes awhile to go through your drill bit collection but it seems to do a good job. I went through all my bits because, like you, I could never seem to find a sharp one when needed. If you want to trash your old bits instead throw them my way. I'll even pay reasonable postage.

 

[repete]

Get a good stone for your grinder and practice sharpening by hand. Grab a drill gauge to use for accurate 60 degree angles until you get it down. Sounds like you have lots of bits to practice on.

https://www.amazon.com/Gauges-Stainless-Sharpener-Measuring-Measure/dp/B07H7Y7HVH/ref=asc_df_B07H7Y7HVH?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80127027724202&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726553916720&psc=1

By learning to do it by hand you can sharpen a bit anywhere there is a grinder.

 

[scootr]

Another vote for the Drill Doctor electric bit sharpener. Not everyone is capable of seeing the correct angle and slope for the tip and then duplicating that on the other side to a perfect centerline...I know I can't. That's why I got the top of the line drill doctor. It's not cheap but you can earn the expense back in recouped drill bits. Plus have the added convenience of putting a quick edge on any small bit ( not sure what the max size is - now I see it's 3/4). This covers most of the holes we drill.

https://www.amazon.com/Drill-Doctor-High-Speed-TiN-coated-Adjustable/dp/B000BKTA00/ref=asc_df_B000BKTA00/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16639751889528286829&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031519&hvtargid=pla-404900476680&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63364097444&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16639751889528286829&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031519&hvtargid=pla-404900476680

This is my second one - I got the cheapest one 15 yrs ago and wore it out. Just recently got this new one.

 

[Rustyiron]

Another Drill Dr. customer after a long time thinking that it was a joke.
It's results may not be what a big "professional" rig might be but I'm satisfied with it completely.

 

[Rustyiron]

Meant to include this p/n

Not sure if it's their best, but it was the most expensive one listed at the web site that I was on.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I sharp them by hand on a bench grinder, there is a technique to it, and it take practice... I get the angle from two nuts flat against each other as such, a proper tool would be better for the angle... I don't use the technique in the second video, but I have seen people successfully use it ... I use the technique in the third video... it works for me...

 

[al3]

Part of the community college CNC machining program I took as a later in life “wanna do” was sharpening twist drill. Also had to make a gauge to measure both 118 degree grind angle and length of each lip/chisled face. Not rocket science but did take some time infront of a grinder (with a bucket of water to keep things cool) to get the knack of it One of those things that’s best learned if someone with the skill can demonstrate. At some point webbs need to be thinned on the larger ones in order to make them work efficiently.



Still do it that way for large drills, but use a drill doctor (DD) on the smaller stuff; they become increasingly harder to see/hold/rotate as things shrink in size.



The DD works very well, at least to a point. Anything below 3/16 or so becomes an increasing challenge as each bit has to be correctly indexed before grinding ; the smaller the drill the more difficult accurate indexing becomes due to the short size/diameter/length of the smaller stuff.



I don’t bother sharpening anything 1/8 or below, rather buy them in packs of 10. Mostly use the DD for drills up to ¼ or so. It is handy for quick touch ups—--sharp twist drills make life better…..



BTW, this is all based on sharpening high speed steel 118 degree stuff. No experience on split points, colbalt, masonary, or angles other than 118. Good luck.

 

[beowulf]

Hey, thanks to all for the suggestions. The drill-doctor idea is timely. Every year the kids ask me what I want for Christmas and I always say 'nothing'. This year I asked for a post-hole digger as one of the fiber glass handles shattered. But now, I will ask for a drill-doctor. Any particular model preferred?

This is the one I am looking at now - marked down to $149, plus a 10% off coupon, and it all comes to $145 out the door.

https://www.amazon.com/Drill-Doctor-High-Speed-TiN-coated-Adjustable/dp/B000BKTA00/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2CUTBF2HB2B1&keywords=drill+doctor&qid=1668718841&sprefix=drill+doctor%2Caps%2C219&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

I don't think I will have the patience or skill to master the grinder process.

I can always count on this forum for help. So nice to have it.

 

[fidowanttobe]

The 750X is the one I have and I am very happy with the results.
I believe the cheaper one only does smaller bits.

 

[scootr]

Here's my tech tip... You put the bit in the holder and turn the holder around and around in the grinding hole. The holder rocks in a cammed action and the bit contacts the stone in about 1/3 of the circle. The rest of the rotation is nothing - air. So don't rush. Find the contact spot, keep even mild pressure and move slowly across the stone. On the initial sharpening I will even lift and go back to repeat making 2 slow passes on each side a couple of times, then go to a single pass but always going slow and deliberate over the stone at maybe 3 seconds a pass. This slow pass greatly speeds up the process... like using an electric knife sharpener.
When I got my first one I tried to quickly grind the bits and it took forever.

 

[Rustyiron]

Still do it that way for large drills, but use a drill doctor (DD) on the smaller stuff; they become increasingly harder to see/hold/rotate as things shrink in size.

This is what drove me to the DD. I can do a decent job on 1/4-3/8 and up at the grinder, but that size and down (pilot hole size) I seem to go through them.

 

[ning]

A+ on the DD
I needed one forever because I'm cheap
Finally got one
Years later I really really needed a sharp bit for something and finally used the DD - easy and super effective!

 

[Norm W]

I've been sharpening drills since I was about 14. I started tool room training and was told, "A machinist that can't sharpen a drill is like a secretary that can't sharpen a pencil." I'm right handed, but hold the drill left handed. I could see the cutting edge easier that way. Now, sixty plus years later, I use a Drill Doctor on anything less than 1/4". The eyes just don't work like they used to. It takes practice, but then so does everything else.

 

[grsthegreat]

wasnt going to ...but i have to say i have the Drill Doctor 750 also....wonderful tool. you'll love it

 

[scootr]

I've been sharpening drills since I was about 14. I started tool room training and was told, "A machinist that can't sharpen a drill is like a secretary that can't sharpen a pencil." I'm right handed, but hold the drill left handed. I could see the cutting edge easier that way. Now, sixty plus years later, I use a Drill Doctor on anything less than 1/4". The eyes just don't work like they used to. It takes practice, but then so does everything else.

You Sir are not kidding. What I use to be able to do by eye... now I do by feel.

 

[Cougsfan]

Way back when, where I went to college they required mechanical engineering students to take a 3 credit class in a machine shop. We learned to do things like run lathes, arc weld, and we even spent a day on learning the logic behind sharpening a drill bit. It was so useful. I have sharpened my own bits by hand ever since with good success.

 

[polarred21]

Sharpen by hand guy here past 40 years. Learned the skill in a production shop drilling hardened truck chassis and we went through a lot of bits. Could even do 1/8" by hand and eye back then, not so much now.

Another tip is don't get the bit too hot or the new edge won't last long.