drill doctor- how does it work?

[woodbutcher]

I've read the manual, but the DVD won't run in my computer. I called the toll-free number to find out about my 750X, and the young lady tried to help, but I'm still not able to line the bit so the cutting edge will be sharpened. She told me to align the chuck's teeth on the narrow part of the bit, but the bit is the same size all the way down. The teeth are arranged in a circle, and some land in the low part of the bit, while some contact the high parts. There's something I'm not being told. Does anybody know how to make it work?

 

[showcrop]

You first have to clamp the bit with the spring steel clamp teeth of the chuck onto the narrow cross section of the bit, then you have a plus-minus range when you insert the chuck, to adjust to set the grind angle. You will probably have to try the angle set to one end and then the other of the adjustment range to get the angle that you want.

 

[Gun guru]

Take it back to the store and buy a small belt sander, table mounted and sharpen your drills on that. (that is how I sharpen drill bits, I also use the surface grinder.)

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Showcrop;; are you pleased with your Drill Doctor, and the job it does for you??

I have been sharpening drill bits for close to fifty years, and have never owned a Drill Doctor.... However, I have been tempted many times.. There are other brands of sharpeners out there,, but the Famous Drill Doctor appears to be the most popular one..

 

[Bill in IL]

Check U-tube there has to be a how to video out there somewhere.

You have to play with the rotation on the front of the alignment hole. Some drill have diffrent twist rates and it will affect the outcome. It takes a little patience but if you can get that set right it makes some sharp bits.

 

[Welding man]

I bought one from the Snap-on dealer 2 years ago, and have tried several times to sharpen bits with it and never gotten one right yet. I finally put it back in the box and started sharpening them by hand again, like I"ve done for the last 30 years. It should do a great job but it just won"t work for me.

 

[Dusty MI]

woodbutcher, my e-mail is open, if you send me your e-mail address I'll send you a couple of pictures.

Mine sharpens up to 1/2" and works very well. I added the 3/4" chuck, that sharpens on up to 3/4" bits except I can't get my 3/4" bit right.

Dusty

 

[woodbutcher]

Clamping the bit with the spring teeth may be part of my problem. I can't tell where the cutting edge is supposed to line up. I think I have the angle right.
Butch

 

[woodbutcher]

All right, Dusty. Those pics and step-by-step got me going on this machine. I've never been able to get mine this sharp on a grinder. How many bits does each grinder wheel sharpen on your machine? Thanks.
Butch

 

[tomNE]

mine works 100%, i did luck out and had a friend who showed me how to use it. I then returned the favor to another friend who was having trouble. after you see how it works once, its a piece of cake and really does a great job!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Drill Doctor DOES make house calls...and it doesn't cost more if you don't have insurance. You'll probably never find it on the golf course, and it'll still work on Wednesday afternoons.

 

[showcrop]

I had problems at first getting the right angle, once I got the hang of it I have been happy wityh it.

 

[showcrop]

The "teeth" clamp it only about 1/8 to 1/4 inch from the tip if I remember right.

 

[Catskill Pete]

It might depend on what size bit you are trying to sharpen too. Drill Doctor works great for me but, I find it almost impossible to do a good job on bits smaller than 1/8 inch. I just buy them in bulk and use them as disposable.

 

[john *.?-!.* cub owner]

I have been suing one ever since a local machinist showed me the one he used..I think it is a great machine if you are n ot an experienced person at sharpening bits.

 

[Anonymous-0]

As to how many bits does the wheel last, one winter, I sharpened about 200, and as far as I could tell, wheel still looked and acted new. Glad you have the problem solved. I can't see to sharpen anything smaller than 1/8", so those are the only ones that I buy, if they get dull.

 

[RodinNS]

Best thing I can suggest to you... get a new drill bit. Study the angles on it closely. Then replicate those angles on the dull one using a bench grinder. Throw the drill doctor in the gadget drawer of the toolbox and leave it there.
If you get the knack of sharpening freehand you'll never be stuck fiddling with gadgets.

Rod

 

[Jiles]

(quoted from post at 21:42:59 10/19/10) Best thing I can suggest to you... get a new drill bit. Study the angles on it closely. Then replicate those angles on the dull one using a bench grinder. Throw the drill doctor in the gadget drawer of the toolbox and leave it there.
If you get the knack of sharpening freehand you'll never be stuck fiddling with gadgets.

Rod

You could also sharpen a drillbit with a drilldoctor--an make sure it is done right. Then drill a hole with it and then drill another hole next to it with a new bit.
You will then see the difference like I have!
You can buy a lot of new "quality" drill bits for the price of one of these things!
I had a new one give to me and I gave it away!!
I am a tool&die maker with failing eyesight and unsteady hands. Small bits are a problem for me.
I don't know if they have changed the chuck on newer models, but that is what gives most people problems.
If you have the multi jaw chuck, you can place the bit shank in the chuck and tighten. You can then move it sideways!
After making sure the bit is centered in the chuck you can sharpen a bit "Fairly well" but not as good as new.

 

[36 Coupe]

Ive sharpened drills free hand for 50 years.I bought a Belsaw Sharpener 40 years ago.It came with a General Tool Co. drill sharpener that does a good job.Costs under 25 bucks now.There are some import copies for less money.Drills under 1/8 are too small to see the angles.Buy new.I have seen new drill bits with no relief angle so looking at new bits wont help.General tool sells a gage that will help keep the right angles on drills cost 5 bucks.Keeping the point centered will avoid oval holes.Step drilling will break the corners off drills.Too much stress on a small area.I think the Drill Doctor costs too much,your choice.

 

[foxtrapper]

I can sharpen bits by hand, but I find using the drill doctor easier. I'fe found the drill doctor to do a fine job, but as another mentioned, somewhere down below the 1/8" size it starts getting right difficult.

Reading the written instructions is confusing. When you watch the video, it all makes sense. If you can't load the dvd (think mine came with a tape), watch it on youtube. It's very worthwhile to watch.

Mine is years old, and still sharpens just fine. No parts have ever been replaced on it.

 

[woodbutcher]

In the last two days, I think I've sharpened every bit I have that was not cutting right. Some of them I had sharpened on the grinder, and it appears I was taking too much off the heel of the cutting edge. I even sharpened a 3/4" bit. I'm satisfied it does a better job than I can do freehand.
Butch

 

[woodbutcher]

The manual says I should be able to make split-point bits out of regular bits. I've never used a split-point, but I'm thinking about making one or two of my many 1/4" bits into split-points to try them out. Any advice on those?
Butch

 

[foxtrapper]

Learn making the split point on a larger bit, so you can see what you're doing. This step is much more "by feel" than with machine settings on the Drill Doctor. It'll take a bit of practice to do it right.

 

[J.Wondergem]

What is the advanage of a split point? I don't think I have ever tried one of them.

 

[foxtrapper]

(quoted from post at 06:47:24 10/21/10) What is the advanage of a split point? I don't think I have ever tried one of them.

Doesn't drift as much when you're trying to start the hole. You're making the very center of the bit cut better. I'd say that for most folk doing most generic drilling, it isn't particularly important.