Drill Doctor older model vs. new

[ddrewyor]

My neighbor has an older DD500 Classic that he never used in a case for $50. Were the older ones better\worse in any ways than the new 500X? Easier, better built, etc. I use to sharpen on my belt grinder, but now not frequently enough to get consistent results. Thought this might be a good way to go. Thanks for the feedback.

Dave

 

[Sureshot]

Can't help you with your answer but I would be real interested in peoples experience with them "gadgets". Are they for real?

 

[evintho]

I have the 500X. Some guys say they're not worth a darn and others say they work great! I'm one of the later. I had 50-60 bits laying around and sharpened them all. I think some of the guys that don't like them haven't quite figured out how to use them properly. Once you understand how it works, it's gravy to use and keep all your bits sharp!

 

[t100]

I use mine all the time, totally awesome. I have older model 750. not really good for bigger drill bits 3/8" and over. I use a lot of 1/8" and 3/16" bits on stainless tubing. normally it takes me less than 10 seconds to re-sharpen a drill bit.

 

[jkherd]

I got one for Christmas from one of my sons, works great. Spent Christmas morning sharpening all my old dull drill bits

 

[WR250F]

I have had a DD for about 5 years and have to say it is one of the best things I've ever bought.

I don't use anything above ½" in size, so I can't speak to using it with larger sizes but for the sizes I've sharpened with it, it has been a real time saver and helped me get a bit more life out of a couple of old bits I would have otherwise given up on.

Never a problem from day one and I can tell you, working with sharp bits definitely makes work easier.

I don't know about the newer version, but I'm not sure how the one I have could be improved. It's simple in design, holds up well to regular use and is easy as pie to use.

 

[gorilla]

I know of at least three Drill Doctors, including mine that sharpened drills just fine when they were new but soon lost their ability to grind drills properly. I understand that there was a problem with the plastic case distorting after time and not holding the proper geometry to create the relief angle on the drills. I would be wary about buying a used one.

 

[ddrewyor]

Thanks for the feedback. I had done some research and the older ones did lose their "shape" due to a material issue. I do not know the cutoff so I am trying to find that out. I will keep you guys posted.

Dave

 

[Bull]

The newer ones do not have this issue any longer?

 

[cnc-me]

I know of at least three Drill Doctors, including mine that sharpened drills just fine when they were new but soon lost their ability to grind drills properly. I understand that there was a problem with the plastic case distorting after time and not holding the proper geometry to create the relief angle on the drills. I would be wary about buying a used one.

+1 Been my experience with the DD too.
Worked good at first, but after awhile the DD does not put enough
back angle on the bits and they barely even cut at all.
Went back to hand sharpening my bits, at least they cut.
Anyone want to buy a lightly used 750....

 

[ddrewyor]

The newer ones do not have this issue any longer?

Supposedly it is fixed. That is what I read in one article. However, some posts still read like the new ones start out great and then stopped working well.

Dave

 

[Jim Johnstone]

So far my old 750 still works, I've sharpened up to 5/8" with it with decent results. I don't use it often tho, only for emergencies at home, since I have a Darex at work to use.

 

[elevator joe]

Has anyone had any luck taking the grinding wheel off and turning it around so you have a new face to grind on? Heard this may help.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have had one for about 10 years or so. Mine wasn't the top of the line at the time - no idea what the model number is.

I bought probably 150 used bits in some boxes awhile back and I've been sharpening them a few at a time for several months. Seems to still work perfectly well to me. The sharpened bits cut fine.

My only complaint is that my particular model doesn't work on anything larger than about 3/8 inches - so the range is a bit limited. That's not a problem with the tool. I seem to remember a big price jump up to the larger model, so I didn't buy it.

A couple tips I've learned. It's really important to learn how to properly orient the bits in the "chuck" with the setup fixture. If you do it correctly, the bits come out perfect, if you don't, you will not get them sharp. I struggled with this at first, some bits don't line up very easily.

Second, it's also important to match your passes across the diamond wheel on both sides. Match them in both number of passes and pressure you put on it.

The only other problem with it is that once you learn how to use it, you can knock out all your dull bits so fast that you put it away and forget how to used it when you pull it back out.

For a DIYer, it's only a once every six months, 30 minute use, tool. For that rare of use it might be easier just to borrow one rather than buy it.