Teach me about drill bit sharpening

[look 171]

Bench top grinder is my friend. I am the only idiot that sharpen drill bits. None of my guys do it and they will keep turning that damn thing until they burn the house down or even easier, they go and get a new one. Onve every few months, I sit by the bench grinder, coffee in hand and somehow, 20-30 min later, they are all sharp again.

Match up the lip angle and gently touch the grinding wheel. Its all you will need. Try and not get past the chisel edge. Repart on the other side. It takes 15 seconds. Don't jam the damn thing in there. Light pressure is all it takes. It is as good as a pro, or the drill doctor? Hell no, but its about 90-95% as good.

Oh have some water ready to cool off larger bits.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by peppy

+1 on the drill DR.
The best thing I have done for drilling metal is step bits. I've had a set for 15 years and I still use them on a regular basis, they are a bit dull but you can put a lot or pressure on one,

Just bought step bits to make a hole in an exhaust pipe for a welded in OXY sensor bung. I was impressed with the cutting.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

There are titanium coated bits, carbon steel bits, hardened steel bits. Does one machine handle all those different metals?
The $60 drill doc "sharpens standard drill bits".

It's a diamond grinding wheel. Suspect if the collet can grab it it will grind it to the chosen angle - which is 118 degrees on the $60 jobbie.

[beran earms]

908/930 sums it up perfectly! I'm a custom furniture maker and I sharpen all of my own bits, of all different styles. I use many different materials in my work and sharpen accordingly, wood, plastics, ferrous and nonferrous metals. Just look at what needs to be achieved and how to get there. I use no jigs or gadgets which will only clutter collect dust and be forgotten about anyway.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by beran earms

I use no jigs or gadgets which will only clutter collect dust and be forgotten about anyway.

Why muddy the waters with facts.

I'll do a little testing with the Drill Doctor as almost every drill I have is a perfect before/after candidate.

With respect to the Best Set of Drills thread, my best set is the two Dewalt 1/4" titanium coated ones I bought two days ago.

[flipper35]

The Project Farm YouTube channel had a video on the different sharpeners as well. DD did well.

[1990C4S]

I thought everyone just took new drill bits from their workplace. That's what I do.

[911 Rod]

Is it just me that collects old/dull drill bits?
I inherited most from my father who had the same infliction!
Maybe I should sharpen them.

[Jeff Alton]

Originally Posted by URY914

My Drill Doctor is one of the best things I ever bought for my shop.

This....

Have had one for about 18 years......

[hcoles]

I have the higher end (provides for smaller diameters) DD. Works fine - been using it for years.