Sharpening Step Drill Bits?

[lolaetype]

I've never seen anything on this. Is it possible? If so, how?

 

[Rusted Nut]

We’ve been using a bunch of step drill at work. I had some luck sharpening with a Dremel on the inside flute, then filing the outside cutter edge; but they’re not a good a new. We don’t need an exact hole size, so it works somewhat as those things are spendy.

 

[garfunkle24]

Depends whether straight or spiral flutes. With straight flutes, as per Rusted Nut, I've had success dressing the cutting edge with a small stone.

 

[solo machinist]

The best way, would be to take it to a tool and cutter grinder. they a have grinder for doing just this.
It would be like new.
I can sharpen a drill bit, everything else, I send to the pros.

 

[Zeke]

I think Project Farm did a video on these and the HF ones stood up to the more expensive if not the most expensive. The moral was buy and toss.

 

[lolaetype]

I've had success dressing the cutting edge with a small stone.

Sounds like it might work. Thanks.

 

[lolaetype]

Rusted Nut mentioned a Dremel Tool. I might try that as well. Thanks.

 

[scooby074]

subscribed. Large genuine Unibit steps are big $$$. I got a few that the 3/4 step is damaged. I tried diamond stone and havent had much luck

 

[lolaetype]

Some success. I carefully ran down the straight flute with the side of a 3" cut off disc in my air cut off tool. They don't drill like a fresh, new bit but they do the job.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

My years ago, when I was making tools at a previous job, I made and sharpened step drills on a Royal Oak tool and cutter grinder. Very specialized tool. It could grind a flat surface on a tool while it was spinning. All done with cams.

Photo swiped from the web.