scooby074
Well-known member
New WWW vid just dropped. I own a Drill Dr. and pretty much agree its junk.
Shots fired at Drill Doctor! Watch Wes Work
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Gozo
Well-known member
I got one maybe 8-10 years ago. Couldn’t get it to do what it’s supposed to. After some back and forth with the company, they sent me a gizmo that was supposed to correctly position the bit for optimal sharpening. No go.
It’s been easier to buy new bits when they get dulled than to use the DrillDoctor. It sits on a shelf rather than get tossed for some yet to be understood internal reason.
It’s been easier to buy new bits when they get dulled than to use the DrillDoctor. It sits on a shelf rather than get tossed for some yet to be understood internal reason.
A guy I work with got a drill doctor. He fiddled with it for a while getting it figured out and sharpened a couple bits. I sharpened a bit on an angle grinder in 30 seconds and it cut better than what the drill doctor did.
I've never figured out how to do the split point so I can probably improve my skills after watching the video.
I agree it's a skill everyone should know.
I've never figured out how to do the split point so I can probably improve my skills after watching the video.
I agree it's a skill everyone should know.
AldeanFan
Well-known member
Drill doctor is like any other tool.
It does some things well and some things poorly.
If axes were invented today that guy would have a video about how they’re not as good as a chainsaw lol.
It does some things well and some things poorly.
If axes were invented today that guy would have a video about how they’re not as good as a chainsaw lol.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I agree with Wes. I was given a DD. I gave it away. I had tried my neighbour's DD. It did not work for me.
I bought and restored a Sterling drill bit sharpener. I made a safety cover for the grinder.
This machine is fantastic. This machine is still in production. Parts are a call away and reasonable pricing. Lots of how-to on You Tube.
The Sterling people are very helpful. This was truly a 10/10 experience.
I bought and restored a Sterling drill bit sharpener. I made a safety cover for the grinder.
This machine is fantastic. This machine is still in production. Parts are a call away and reasonable pricing. Lots of how-to on You Tube.
The Sterling people are very helpful. This was truly a 10/10 experience.
Attachments
would he be using a chopping motion or a cutting motion in his video?
The Bean
Well-known member
I'm a subscriber and big fan of Watch Wes Work. Definitely one of the best channels for diagnosing engine problems, great humor, great family. If you're not watching, do check out more of his videos. You won't be disappointed. 
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
I had no idea such a thing existed. I watched the video. It's everything I wanted the drill doctor to be but just isn't. Now I need one. You're a cruel person.
Rusted Nut
Well-known member
Huh, my drill doctor works really well for touching up bit, and even bring others back from the dead.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
Good or restorable Starlings can be a little pricey. I am trying to remember what I paid. I would do this again.
I was looking at a Lisle drill grinder #91000 when the Sterling showed up.
engineer2
Well-known member
I use my 750 about once a year to do a batch of dull bits. I'm happy with it.
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
Same for me. Keeps them useable.
alwaysFlOoReD
Well-known member
I've used both a 350 and 750 at work. They do the job for the other workers. I'm quicker with a bench grinder except for split points.
I have the original DD. It does not index well & results are either negative rake or flat point profile. There is a sweet spot between the two that I usually manage to find. Forget trying to sharpen anything under 1/8”.
Did you guys watch till the end and see his praise for the Vevor sharpener? I have one of the older DD and I can get a sharp bit out of it but I spent a bit of time getting it set to do what I want it to do. I've said many times, if you don't know what makes a good drill point then you will be unable to sharpen a drill bit with any tool.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
fourjeepin
Well-known member
I have a DD and have had good luck with it. I don’t sharpen anything smaller than 1/8. If bigger than 1/2, I use my grinder.
MichaelP
Well-known member
The video in the initial post is laughable and sad. Laughable because the guy had to try really hard to produce the terrible result he demonstrates (unless, of course his DD is completely out of alignment).
In addition to a couple of quality drill grinders (Oliver for huge drill bits and Black Diamond for the rest), I owned two DDs over the years: a smaller and a larger versions. They are not excellent drill grinders by any means, but I have never seen such a terrible result the guy shows. DDs are not good at splitting points (therefore I never use them for this), but they produce quite acceptable quick and easy grinds otherwise. However, you MUST index your drill properly and then grind it the way the manufacturer suggests. This is well explained and demonstrated in the video above (Post #21). Both of those things are easy to do if you don't do it as sloppily as Wes shows in the beginning of his video.
Maybe I was just lucky to own non-defective DDs, but I doubt it. I tend to think this is what Amazon politely calls "Vine Review" for Vevor where a good review is expected in exchange to free mechandize. And if you are deliberately bashing a competitor's product to achieve the goal, it's sad. Regardless of how good Vevor may really be.
Maybe I'm mistaken, and there were no bad intentions at all. Then again, DD is far from being the best grinder, but it's not nearly as bad as the guy shows, and is perfectly acceptable for general work (definitely better than manual grinding or all those cheap add-ons for pedestal grinders).
In addition to a couple of quality drill grinders (Oliver for huge drill bits and Black Diamond for the rest), I owned two DDs over the years: a smaller and a larger versions. They are not excellent drill grinders by any means, but I have never seen such a terrible result the guy shows. DDs are not good at splitting points (therefore I never use them for this), but they produce quite acceptable quick and easy grinds otherwise. However, you MUST index your drill properly and then grind it the way the manufacturer suggests. This is well explained and demonstrated in the video above (Post #21). Both of those things are easy to do if you don't do it as sloppily as Wes shows in the beginning of his video.
Maybe I was just lucky to own non-defective DDs, but I doubt it. I tend to think this is what Amazon politely calls "Vine Review" for Vevor where a good review is expected in exchange to free mechandize. And if you are deliberately bashing a competitor's product to achieve the goal, it's sad. Regardless of how good Vevor may really be.
Maybe I'm mistaken, and there were no bad intentions at all. Then again, DD is far from being the best grinder, but it's not nearly as bad as the guy shows, and is perfectly acceptable for general work (definitely better than manual grinding or all those cheap add-ons for pedestal grinders).
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dutchgray
Well-known member
His one is not one of the "cheap" copies of the design.
Unlike the Drill doctor it doesn't rely on cheap moulded plastic parts for allingment of the drill.
Wrench97
Well-known member
I have one works well if all you drill holes in is wood..............
When I was doing commercial door hardware we always had one on site. The metal frames are often slugged with mortar so your bits penetrate the frame directly into mortar. The manufacturers started putting hard foam pieces in places to dam back the mortar but often the masons had no idea where particular hardware was to be installed by the carpenters so it wasn't all that much help.
After that I bought my own and, even reading all those that think they're useeless, I like mine a lot. I think it just take practice and muscle memory to make them work right. Most people do struggle in the learning phase but they really are a viable tool, in my opinion.
I'm certain there are drilling applications that require something more accurate but mine works well for my needs.
After that I bought my own and, even reading all those that think they're useeless, I like mine a lot. I think it just take practice and muscle memory to make them work right. Most people do struggle in the learning phase but they really are a viable tool, in my opinion.
I'm certain there are drilling applications that require something more accurate but mine works well for my needs.
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Shoreline_
Well-known member
Have you watched his other videos lol? He's not like that at all.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I have that drill doctor model in the video. Drill bits are improved when I use it, and for general metal drilling they still work fine even with the wonky geometry. Thicker steel I use hyperstep style bits now.
My employer doesn't have a bench grinder, I don't have one at home, so the DD worked better than tossing the bits. They certainly weren't new after, and below 1/4 it doesn't cut good at all. But it saved me more than the purchase price.
My employer doesn't have a bench grinder, I don't have one at home, so the DD worked better than tossing the bits. They certainly weren't new after, and below 1/4 it doesn't cut good at all. But it saved me more than the purchase price.
Rockable
Well-known member
I have a DD500 and it works great, as long as you know what you want. I think understanding how to hand sharpen a drill makes it easier to set up and use. I have found that aligning the smaller drills and split point require re indexing from the white mark. Usually, I end up one or two slots away from me to get the proper relief on the bit. Mine has saves me a ton of time and money. Sharpening large bits by hand is ok but smaller ones I always do on the DD.
Do you really trust a guy that have worked in hundreds of machine shops ??? Either he is incompetent but somehow finds job that doesn’t last more than two months at max. Or boasting his skills.
This is in his introduction. Lmfao I don’t know if he is giving himself credit or discredit.
This is in his introduction. Lmfao I don’t know if he is giving himself credit or discredit.
GaryM909
Well-known member
I apprenticed in a machine shop for about a year and learned to sharpen bits pretty good with a bench grinder but a few years ago a buddy of mine gave me a drill doctor that he couldn't figure it out or didn't have the patience. It actually works better than I expected.
lol that is not exactly working in 100’s of machine shop. That is just saying he’s been to 100’s of machine shops. Boasting creditability. In a grey line.
That DD is pretty small to be put out in a pedestal or display, even if he’s been to 1000’s of shops doesn’t mean he will see 10,000’s on display. Besides that plenty of professional drill sharpener that are not DD. I think one guy here does it for a living or something to that.
AldeanFan
Well-known member
I noticed this too.
I also don’t understand how someone can work on hundreds of shops.
AldeanFan
Well-known member
Not really the same as having worked in a shop, and I have a hard time accepting his conclusion that drill doctor is no good because he’s never noticed one while repairing machinery in various shops.
Maybe he didn’t see it,
Or maybe it’s a diy type tool and it’s in people’s garages.
A family friend was a meat inspector, he’s been to hundreds of butcher shops and grocery stores but it wouldn’t be correct to say he’s worked in hundreds of stores, and I wouldn’t trust him if he said shopping carts don’t have hair in the wheels because he’s never noticed it while inspecting meat.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
I have one and am pleased with it. It does require a bit of finesse and feel for it but once accustomed to the process works quite well, for me anyhow.
I find small drills much more difficult to sharpen.
I suggest leaning the grit frequently(I didn't) as It will eventually abrade the plastic bits and make the operation less smooth.
I find small drills much more difficult to sharpen.
I suggest leaning the grit frequently(I didn't) as It will eventually abrade the plastic bits and make the operation less smooth.
mreisner
Well-known member
I've had several over 20 some years and they've worked very well for me. First thing in the directions it says don't stick the bit in with the wheel running index it properly and then turn it on. Every time you stuck it in it was already running and you heard it grind a little bit until he got proper alignment.
Shoreline_
Well-known member
He was a cnc service engineer. But I enjoyed your post coming from a place of ignorance. It gave me a chuckle.
I think he just was saying he never saw a drill doctor in the machine shops he's been too. It's not the machine shop taught him how to sharpen drills
Shoreline_
Well-known member
I got one from fb market to give my 10 year old something to do. He ******* loved it. And they all came out good. So idk.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
May I send him a couple pounds worth of dull bits to amuse himself?
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