sharpening drill bits

[egbinor]

Is there a drill bit sharpener that really works?? In my golden years I seem to have lost the touch. Used to be 4 out of 5 was an average. Now it seems to be 1 out of 5??

 

[Steve@Advance]

We've got a Drill Dr at work. It worked well, at lest I liked it. Then someone tried to set it up to grind a different angle...

Now it doesn't work. We've all tried to get it back and gave up. Now it sits under the bench unused.

But I can get a pretty good resharpen on a mid to large size bit by hand. The little ones, no way.

I use the tool rest on the grinder, hold it flat, match the angle, give it a little twist. On the bigger bits I put a straight flat on the cutting edge.

It helps to mark a line on the tool rest, or make a jig to hold the bit at the proper angle.

Youtube has a lot of how to's, just pick one that works for you.

 

[Oliver 500 Wa]

I was gifted a Drill Doctor a while back. For being a mostly plastic machine, it does a surprisingly good job of sharpening. I had always steered clear of buying one thinking it was gonna be junk. Nice to find out I was wrong.

 

[Dopp Creek]

I inherited a Drill Dr. Works fine for me. It will go down to 3/32? bits and I just buy the tiny ones when they go on sale.

 

[jtwat]

Have 2 Drill Dr's. Best sharpener I have ever used.

 

[Idaho Digger]

Drill Doctor here also, probably had it for 10 years. I keep a small tray in the rear of my bit drawer for dull bits, toss them in there when grabbing a sharp one. Once a month or so I sit down with a cool, refreshing beverage and sharpen all the bits in the tray.....

 

[JF in MI]

ditto

 

[bmack95hd]

While working for a bolt and nut company for many years we sold the Drill Doctor products. The 750X will handle both 118 and 135 split point bits up to 3/4? Silver and Deming bits. They do have their limits as most smaller diameter bits aren?t worth the effort in my opinion.

 

[Gene Davis (Ga.)]

Steve @ Advance. Go to the Drill Doctor website and find the link to send them a message. I had a problem with a new Drill Doctor that I had for a while and could never get it to work right. They were very helpful and accommodating to help me solve my problem and get me going again. They are a family owned company and want to be accommodating and helpful for their customers. I would wager they will help you solve the problem. I have nothing but the best to say about their customer service dept.

 

[egbinor]

I see about 5 models. Is the 50.00 OK?

 

[Steve@Advance]

Gene, I'll do that!

It was nice to have when it worked.

Thanks!

 

[JMS/.MN]

I do hear good comments about Drill Doctor, but 50 years ago, while working in a machine shop, the old machinist showed me how to use a drill gauge. Bought one at Sears for about a buck 98...still have it. Key is to remember what he said...grind the short edge to make it longer! Also made one in my Ag Engr class at U of MN, but still have and use the Sears gauge...markings are still good and more accurate.

 

[timcasbolt]

(quoted from post at 19:36:17 07/28/19) Is there a drill bit sharpener that really works?? In my golden years I seem to have lost the touch. Used to be 4 out of 5 was an average. Now it seems to be 1 out of 5??

Just as others have said, Drill Doctor. A lot of people aren't aware that Drill Doctor is a part of Darex, which is the standard in the drill sharpening industry. There are instructional videos available.

 

[Gene Davis (Ga.)]

They were most helpful. One of the emails was from the president of the company asking me about the problem.

 

[Bret4207]

I also use a Drill Dr and had problems with different angles. Ended up watching some of their videos and figuring it out. Good product.

 

[kencombs]

Exactly right. I have a 750. I only sharpen 5/16 and up, smaller ones, just buy new as needed.

 

[Dick L]

At 81 I need to lean on something solid and have a had rest on the post grinder but still can touch one up in a few seconds.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 05:03:59 07/30/19) Exactly right. I have a 750. I only sharpen 5/16 and up, smaller ones, just buy new as needed.

But the smaller ones in 10 packs and trow them away when they don't cut...

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

You either love or you hate a Drill Doctor. The ones that either watch the videos or read the instructions usually have good luck with them. The ones that think they know what they are doing and just start jamming drill bits in every hole detest the thing.

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 08:03:45 07/31/19) You either love or you hate a Drill Doctor. The ones that either watch the videos or read the instructions usually have good luck with them. The ones that think they know what they are doing and just start jamming drill bits in every hole detest the thing.

Nominated for "YT Post of the Year"!!!! :lol:

 

[Caryc]

The bench grinder that I have has a seprate tool rest with a "V" groove in it for sharpening bits. Just rest the bit in the groove and turn it while on the wheel. It works very well.