Rickster55
Well-known member
Title says it all. I have two that are absolute junk. Is there one worth the money? TIA
Does anyone make a good drill bit sharpener?
- Thread starter Rickster55
- Start date
wssix99
Well-known member
What else is there besides the Drill Doctor?
This thread reminds me, I need to pull mine out and put it to work...
This thread reminds me, I need to pull mine out and put it to work...
FredWanaker
Well-known member
A friend sharpened drills in the aerospace world, showed me how to do it on a regular grinder. Not all that hard to do. Once you have done a few it goes really fast. example:
James-W
Well-known member
Some people are quite good at sharpening drill bits freehand, but I am not one of those people. I can get a drill bit kind of sharp doing it freehand, but not like when the drill bit was new.
I had thought about buying a Tormek sharpening system and then get their drill sharpening attachment, but unless I want to sharpen drill bits as a part time job, or sharpen other things with the Tormek as well, I really don't think it pays for me to buy a Tormek sharpening system. I am sure I could do a superior job if I had a Tormek, but at my age I just don't see it as an economical investment. I suppose that I could buy one just because I wanted one, but I could also buy a lot of drill bits for what a Tormek sharpening system costs.
I had thought about buying a Tormek sharpening system and then get their drill sharpening attachment, but unless I want to sharpen drill bits as a part time job, or sharpen other things with the Tormek as well, I really don't think it pays for me to buy a Tormek sharpening system. I am sure I could do a superior job if I had a Tormek, but at my age I just don't see it as an economical investment. I suppose that I could buy one just because I wanted one, but I could also buy a lot of drill bits for what a Tormek sharpening system costs.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
This is what I use: https://www.drill-grinder.com/
They show up all the time on ebay - I bought mine used for under $200 shipped. If you go that route, make sure the chuck is included. I'm pretty sure there are import copies out there for less $.
They show up all the time on ebay - I bought mine used for under $200 shipped. If you go that route, make sure the chuck is included. I'm pretty sure there are import copies out there for less $.
FredWanaker
Well-known member
guys it is really easy to sharpen drill bits. The trick is holding the drill bit steady in the hand and keeping it the same plane when rolling it to the other side. Use the tool rest for yourfingers if you want. When sweeping to cut the back side lower I roll it upwards a tiny bit. Then look at the bit straight down and one can see if the cut angle is right. Then look at it about arm's length looking at the sky to see if the sides are even. Check yourself with a gauge once in a while like the video and you'll be fine. Practice on some old bits you were going to toss out. Do keep the grinding wheel even. I use a diamond tool to flatten it, and also like the while cooler grinding wheels. I still can't get them as good as my friend Bob could but his cut better than the factory new. He owned a grinding shop. Took him maybe 6 to 8 seconds a bit.
Bretny
Well-known member
I have used a very very nice one before..but $2k for a sharpener is a bit much for the average person. This was no "drill doctor".
jmarkwolf
Well-known member
ABOM79, the YouTube machinist has a very elaborate industrial looking machine for sharpening his drill bits, can't remember the mfgr. No Drill Doctor for him.
I've noticed that the material peels of both cutting edges equally on all the holes he drills.
I've noticed that the material peels of both cutting edges equally on all the holes he drills.
Be curious as to what 2 junkie ones you have?
I've got a drill doctor and find it's perfectly....adequate. The size of bit they can do is limited, but I think they have models that can do up to 1/2" or so
I've tried sharpening by hand with a grinder. I'm **** at it.
I've got a drill doctor and find it's perfectly....adequate. The size of bit they can do is limited, but I think they have models that can do up to 1/2" or so
I've tried sharpening by hand with a grinder. I'm **** at it.
Snip
Well-known member
I picked up the same sharpener as ABOM79 off of CL a little while back for cheap........Great machine and his tutorial made using it simple, nothing compares to having sharp bits when you want/need them
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Been using one like this for years. https://www.toolplanet.com/product/Shop-Fox-Drill-Sharpener-D4144/drills
It takes a little practice, but once you figure it out you can sharpen any size bit in seconds.
It takes a little practice, but once you figure it out you can sharpen any size bit in seconds.
fsae0607
Well-known member
The Drill Doctor works for me. I use it on my good bits. Read the manual and watch some youtube videos. I've used my DD on a set of harbor freight bits and got them to cut better than when they were new. The nice thing about the DD is that you can tweak the angles for whatever you're drilling. The DD won't really work on bits smaller than 1/4".
I would also recommend practicing on a bench grinder. I tend to do that instead of setting up my DD for my household bits, like for drilling wood and drywall and stuff. Plus you can sharpen bits smaller than 1/4" by hand.
I would also recommend practicing on a bench grinder. I tend to do that instead of setting up my DD for my household bits, like for drilling wood and drywall and stuff. Plus you can sharpen bits smaller than 1/4" by hand.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
There is no lack of pro drill sharpeners on the used market. The one I linked and the Lisle 91000 (no longer in production) are at the low end, pricewise. You're in a good area for used equipment. You'll find that there are those that use collets, and those that don't - the collets can be very expensive. The one common characteristic, is that any decent drill grinder is going to be heavy. If you can find one on ebay locally, you'll have an advantage over other bidders, as you can do local pickup and avoid the shipping charges. And even better if you can inspect in person.
kelpaso1
MEMBER EMERITUS
Drill Doctor has always worked fine for me.
Rst277
Well-known member
I second the Drill Doctor - price is right and more than adequate for everyday use. If you're building a space ship or submarine maybe you use fancier bits but mine has done all I've ever needed. Easy to use as well. For large bits, a steady hand on the bench grinder will do the job with a bit of practice.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I have to agree the drill doctor works fine, set up correctly & be patient the results are pretty good.
Jwallace1
Well-known member
i bought a used Darex M3 recently, that's who makes the drill doctor but this would be there industrial version. works great
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
Pull yours out and put it to work? This is best done in the privacy of your space and between consenting adults.
bob15
Well-known member
Drill Doctor 750
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I bought a neglected STERLING drill grinder and restored it. The as found condition was very affordable. Sterling is still in business and all parts are available.
For about $500, I have what is possibly one of the best drill grinders.
Another really great grinder is the LISLE 91000. These come up for sale several times a year. The 91000 is also one of the best.
For about $500, I have what is possibly one of the best drill grinders.
Another really great grinder is the LISLE 91000. These come up for sale several times a year. The 91000 is also one of the best.
Attachments
nadogail
Well-known member
Drill Doctors are the current favorite.
Gunfixr
Well-known member
I always sharpened drills by hand. Once I go down below 3/16" or so, they get tough, and over 1 1/2", they get tough on a regular sized bench grinder.
It's not easy, but I learned to successfully sharpen drills on a belt sander. But, it's not very good on smaller drills, 1" or under. The largest i've sharpened is 3 1/2", the smallest 3/32". Under that, they cut, but not really great.
Nobody else in the shop could sharpen on the belt sander........
It's not easy, but I learned to successfully sharpen drills on a belt sander. But, it's not very good on smaller drills, 1" or under. The largest i've sharpened is 3 1/2", the smallest 3/32". Under that, they cut, but not really great.
Nobody else in the shop could sharpen on the belt sander........
4 FN 27
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My dream Drill Bit Grinder: Black Diamond Drill Grinder
https://www.blackdiamondgrinder.com/
Had the opportunity to use one in a Machine Shop I worked in during College. Best grinder out there...
I will own one some day.
https://www.blackdiamondgrinder.com/
Had the opportunity to use one in a Machine Shop I worked in during College. Best grinder out there...
I will own one some day.
kelpaso1
MEMBER EMERITUS
What the heck does that do any better than a $150 drill Doctor can do. Waste of money IMO.
4 FN 27
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Unless you have used one you won't understand. It is far from a Drill Doctor.
I have used both. I like the Drill Doctor, don't get me wrong but the Black Diamond is where it is at. Just my opinion and just my goal. Doesn't have to be your goal or opinion.
Nothing 1/4" and under is even worth sharpening. We do buy them by the dozen, do we not?
Sometimes you're in a pinch and need to sharpen a drill bit, but quickly putting a sharp edge on a bit versus actually sharpening and creating a balanced geometry on both edges are different things.
For much of my work I can only trust a factory grind on a drill bit. A hand grind that's off center by even a couple thousandths will wander and/or leave an oversized hole.
Sometimes you're in a pinch and need to sharpen a drill bit, but quickly putting a sharp edge on a bit versus actually sharpening and creating a balanced geometry on both edges are different things.
For much of my work I can only trust a factory grind on a drill bit. A hand grind that's off center by even a couple thousandths will wander and/or leave an oversized hole.
fsae0607
Well-known member
Agreed. Like I said earlier, I only do that for my household bits. Like when I put in drywall anchors, I kiss the bits on the wheel after I'm done putting holes in drywall.
I save my new bits and DD-sharpened ones for fab work.
Slednut
Well-known member
I use an old Drill Doctor and for 1/8th and below bits I buy these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SQNZ8B4/?tag=atomicindus08-20.
Sweetcorn
Well-known member
Darex is great if you're willing to spend the money.
I've used Drill Doctors in the past and I'm not a fan. I'd just as soon sharpen by hand. But I'm a Journeyman tool and die maker and I've sharpened a few drills by hand over the years and don't mind doing it.
I've used Drill Doctors in the past and I'm not a fan. I'd just as soon sharpen by hand. But I'm a Journeyman tool and die maker and I've sharpened a few drills by hand over the years and don't mind doing it.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
RoninB4
Well-known member
-That's a crappy version (Shop Fox....) of a design that used to be sold by many companies, even Sears sold one. It does a respectable job for not a lot of money. Several shops I worked at had a better quality version of this. I have a used Gorton 375 I picked up for $300 but if I didn't I'd be looking for a jig similar to what Old Man Roger posted. Mount this to a pedestal grinder and spend the money saved on a DD for some better quality drills. JMO
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Not that it really matters, but mine is a General 825 I believe. Probably no real difference from the one I posted though.
I worked at a machine shop years ago. we also had a drill sharpener similar to that Black Diamond, it may have been a Black Diamond. But yes, they are awesome compared to a Drill Doctor, cost a bit more too! Also, not a bit of plastic on the BD, all cast iron and steel. I see used ones for $1,000, new for $7,000. A bit out of my price range!
Bretny
Well-known member
Yes it is possible. Learn the angles and what to look for and it becomes easy and quick. Watch a video about how to hand sharpen.
I have a drill doctor, it works of for bits above 3/16. I had to drill 40 holes in 3/8 plate, took a dull 1/4 inch, used drill doctor and drilled all 40 holes no problem. Then sharpened a dull 1/2 bit and drilled out the 1/4 holes to 1/2 inch no problem. Sometimes the collet doesn't hold the bit right and makes a flat bit 
but most of the times it does alright. Small bits get chucked when dull
but most of the times it does alright. Small bits get chucked when dull