Sharpen Hex-end Drill Bits on Drill Doctor - Possible?

[Bolster]

Has anyone cracked the code on how to sharpen drill bits with 1/4 hex ends (the kind you snap in and out of your hex bit holder) on a Drill Doctor?

Maybe insert the bit into a round sleeve and sharpen, or...?

AND while I'm asking: When you re-sharpen a Ti-Nitride bit, are you ruining the bit? Because you're obviously removing the Ti-N.

I guess what I'm asking is, do I try to resharpen my hex-end drill bits, or just toss and buy new?

 

[kartracer23]

I ended up returning my Drill Doctor to Sears just for this reason. If I remember correctly, you could sharpen large ones, but not small ones?

They guy at Sears said 'Oh, yes you can.' and then proceeded to prove to me (and himself) that you can't.

When Sears had their set on sale (I think it was the 20 pc. for $9.99) over the Holidays, I picked up a couple of extra. It was about the same price as 3 individual bits, so I just pull from my 'extras' when I need a sharp one.

 

[walrus]

Has anyone cracked the code on how to sharpen drill bits with 1/4 hex ends (the kind you snap in and out of your hex bit holder) on a Drill Doctor?

Maybe insert the bit into a round sleeve and sharpen, or...?

AND while I'm asking: When you re-sharpen a Ti-Nitride bit, are you ruining the bit? Because you're obviously removing the Ti-N.

I guess what I'm asking is, do I try to resharpen my hex-end drill bits, or just toss and buy new?

The drill doctor I have will sharpen a hex end bit no problem. You don't sharpen the hex end.

 

[Major Ramifications]

The only issue would be bit length. The smaller bits may be too short for the hex part to miss the fingers in the chuck of the Drill Doctor.

 

[alex71]

^^^ exactly. for shorter ones, use your angle grinder, or just toss them...

You can get these hex sets at harbor freight so cheap, that they basically become disposable. Buying the craftsman versions is a waste of money.

 

[Bolster]

^^^ exactly. for shorter ones, use your angle grinder, or just toss them...

You can get these hex sets at harbor freight so cheap, that they basically become disposable. Buying the craftsman versions is a waste of money.

Are the HF versions OK?

 

[alex71]

just as good as the craftsmans. I mean, being hex bits you can't use either for any sort of precision work, but for what they are, they're just fine.

D'oh! I wrote angle grinder above. I meant bench grinder.