My Drill Bit Sharpining Setup

[cjarvis]

While I can free-hand sharpen a drill bit passably, I picked up a General Tools 825 drill sharpening jig for consistency's sake. It works well but I wasn't happy sharpening on the cutting edge of the grinding wheel (straight edge on a curved surface) and sharpening on the side of the stone is apparently a no-no. Not to mention the mess of re-dressing the wheel...

In looking at CBN grinding wheels on Amazon, I came across these diamond lapping discs in various grits: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VPFBVH6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A2JCJW8DIP4OKB&psc=1 and wondered if sharpening on the side of the wheel would work with one of these and a MDF wheel as a backer. Turns out, it works like a charm. It runs true, cuts faster and runs cooler than the grinding wheel does. I got a 400 grit disc but 600 grit would leave a better finish.

ETA: The center hole of the disc I purchased had to be enlarged from 1/2" to 5/8" with a step drill.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Thanks for sharing.
How long does it take to sharpen a drill bit from the point where you decide/realize it needs to be sharpened to being done with the grinding?

 

[cjarvis]

That depends on how buggered the edge is. If it's just dull, I can probably do a bit in a couple of minutes after going through the learning curve. Chipped or broken takes longer, obviously. I bought some junk bits at a pawn shop for practice before putting my CTD/Norseman bits to the stone.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Project Farm reviewed one of those sharpeners and used it on the face of the wheel and of course it did a terrible job. I have one and bought a wheel designed for grinding on the side and I was very pleased with it on bits over 1/4 inch. Most bits would cut better than they had new

 

[Jswain]

Nice looking setup. I just dress my grinding wheel so it's flat and hand sharpen them like that.