Drill bit sharpening

VicS

VicS

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I have loads of drill bits. Apart from the metric ones which I have bought most were my father's and are all getting a bit blunt.

I cannot sharpen them by hand and was wondering if this is any good

Click the picture to open the webpage

Anybody own or tried one?

.
 
I have only once tried a drill sharpening device. It looked somewhat similar to the one shown, and didn't do a good job at all.

Like sailorman, I do it by hand and eye, but must admit that I'm now struggling with tiny, (less than 3mm) ones. I was shown how to do it, when "serving my time", rather a long time ago.
 
I had one and still have somewhere, it worked well, .. just took a bit of time to set up; well worthwhile if you have a good few to do.
We all know what its like.... an easy, quick drilling job to do,, the selected bit is blunt, and its not quite so easy or quick.
I had a dedicated old drill on a board for the sharpener and it was good.
Malcolm
 
Agree with the others. As Sailorman says, once you've got the knack, it's not difficult.
My advice would be, don't use the grinding-wheel rest. Start off by holding the drill in the horizontal plane at around mid height above the rest. ie. 1.5"/ 2" up on a 6" wheel. Simultaneously dip, twist and move to the left with the "blunt end".
Much easier to do than to describe. NB A drill facet is not a flat surface.
Practice angles etc. with a new drill, without grinding too much, if any, off!
 
I used to have one, now sadly lost. It won't last forever as it's cheaply made, but very useful on board where you don't have access to a grinding wheel!

Rob.
 
Like others I do it by hand and eye having been taught to do it many years ago. It's not difficult to do but trying to describe the movements in 3 dimensions isn't easy (though I admire EaryBird's brave attempt.)

I'd suggest getting someone to spend 10 minutes showing you how to do it. Then you'll be able to sharpen your drills easily and keep them sharp. You'll also be able to set them at the right angle for the material you want to cut.
 
VicS said:
Anybody own or tried one?
Click to expand...

I have one like that. I've used it a few times. I suspect that those that do it by hand and eye will be a lot quicker and maybe better but for a numpty like me, the tool worked well.
 
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VicS said:
I have loads of drill bits. Apart from the metric ones which I have bought most were my father's and are all getting a bit blunt.

I cannot sharpen them by hand and was wondering if this is any good

Click the picture to open the webpage

Anybody own or tried one?

.
Click to expand...

Like others here I am 'time served' in an engineering toolroom, regrinding (sharpening is something you do to a pencil) twist drills ia something anyone can learn if shown how by a competent operator with some knowledge of rakes and clearance angles, also what is rewuired for different materials, drills can also drill larger than thier own diameters, often occurs by default with inexperienced regrinding.

Unless you know someone who works in an engineering environment it may be best to replace with new, readily available and quite cheap now at the DIY sheds or online, I personaly use http://www.toolstation.com/ find them quite good.
 
VicS said:
I have loads of drill bits. Apart from the metric ones which I have bought most were my father's and are all getting a bit blunt.

I cannot sharpen them by hand and was wondering if this is any good

Click the picture to open the webpage

Anybody own or tried one?

.
Click to expand...
For what my opinion is worth. I was taught how to sharpen drills, when I was an apprentice, by a proper time served fitter. I am quite good at it, stating a fact, not bragging. About 20 years ago I bought one of those things, out of curiosity more than anything, it is/was a pile of poo! Its still sitting in my workshop somewhere, you are welcome to it to experiment with if I can find all the bits.
Stu
 
VicS said:
I have loads of drill bits. Apart from the metric ones which I have bought most were my father's and are all getting a bit blunt.

I cannot sharpen them by hand and was wondering if this is any good

Click the picture to open the webpage

Anybody own or tried one?

.
Click to expand...

Hi Vic To answer yoour query.. I have an identical type of sharpener and find it very effective and accurate.If you buy one I would suggest that you get a couple of extra stones as they tend to wear around in the same place and lose their accuracy. I bought mine to use on the boat as S/S is very hard on drills.
I also have the Axminster one at home ,it is also v good but you need a seperate grinder.

Why is it that a query like the above always seems to attract bragging such as "I don't need this kind of new fangled gadget, I can do this freehand and blindfold and so should you my boy"
You asked a straight question and want a straight answer.

No offence to anyone in particular

Asbestos blanket on head and makes for the door. Merry Xmas
 
Guardamar said:
Has anyone any idea how to sharpen the small wood boring twist bits
like these:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/colt-twinland-lip-and-spur-wood-drill-bits-set-of-8-prod818252/
or for that matter masonary bits?
Click to expand...


Yes the gadget I am asking about will do them.

Go back to my original post and click on the picture to see the webpage.


Thinks to everyone for the comments.
I am unlikely to learn how to do it by hand and I don't have a proper bench grinder to which I could fit the Axminster Tools jig so it looks as though it might be worth a try.


.
 
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VicS said:
[...]
I am unlikely to learn how to do it by hand and I don't have a proper bench grinder to which I could fit the Axminster Tools jig so it looks as though it might be worth a try.
Click to expand...
I used to doubt my own ability to 'sharpen' a twist drill, but one day I found myself stuck with drilling stainless and the only bit I had of the desired dia. had started to smoke and squeal, and the shops were shut. So - nothing to lose ...

First job was to closely examine a large twist drill for the desired geometry.
Next job was to source a grinding wheel, which turned out to be an angle grinder clamped in a workmate with a brand new grinding disk.
Then, carefully working with lots of dipping into water ... eventually a sharpened bit resulted. Well, perhaps not perfect, but it did the job.

In future I'd prefer to use a kosher grinding wheel, and maybe use one of those angle jigs too. I don't think I'd bother sharpening anything less than 5 or 6mm as they are so cheap to buy.

I'd say - "have a go" - try with a large dia. drill bit first - what have you got to lose ?
 
Sharpening Drills

I sharpen mine by hand. Not always successful but quick and easy.
I have fiddled with a sharpening jig but I think by hand is quicker than getting the jig right.
As said the trick to learning to sharpen a drill is to start with a large drill. When you look closely it is not unlike a plane blade. There is a sharp edge and an angle of bite. It is just that this is all duplicated.
Try to take as little material off as possible and don't let it get too hot. I have used an oil stone on occasions with small drill bit clamped in a vice.
If you have a drill press and some old stainless steel you can check out your sharpening.
So no I wouldn't buy a jig but maybe it would suit you. Regards olewill
 
A Green grit grinding wheel will sharpen masonary drills but very slowly, a diamond faced wheel also. Remember that masonary tips are I think Carbide and are formed under heat and pressure and not ground. Now to be shot down !!!
 
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