Drill bit sharpeners

G'day guys,

I always seem to take a cordless drill away with me on my travels and a selection of some drills just in case. Recently I was using a blunt bit and I reckon it quickly moved to the top of my biggest dislikes. In the past I have just bought a new bit but this was a 16 mm bit and a replacement is as dear as poison. This had me looking at some form of sharpening tool.

Now my skills at sharpening anything leaves a lot to be desired and one tool stood out from the pack was a drill bit doctor. Anyone use one of these? Their spiel says it is as easy as sharpening pencils (I usually break the points off mine) so any help is appreciated.

Kind regards
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Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:18

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:18
Just looked at their web site... looks like a good bit of gear. Much better than alll the sharpeners I have ever owned... and thrown.... lol...

What store carries them? $$$$?
regards
Fred B
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Follow Up By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:21

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:21
Fred

Places like Just Tools.

Alan
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Follow Up By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:32

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:32
Thanks Fred, I have tried all manner of sharpening and the theory just does not allign with any useful outcome for me. These things looked good and could be the answer I'm looking for but they are dear - like around $500 for the 750X

Kind regards
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Reply By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:20

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:20
Theo

Gadgets like the drill bit doctor work fine. Used similar in another life ha ha

The ones we had in schools only handles up to 12mm I think.

Be sure to check that any you buy can handle the larger sizes if you want 16mm.

Cheers

Alan
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Follow Up By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:29

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:29
Hi Alan,

I am looking at the 750X which will handle the 16mm but boy it's pricey! I did notice in my research that Amazon sells these for US$140 which might be a bit easier to swallow.

I hope the new life is working for you? I have been eagerly awaiting a major trip report.

Kind regards

Theo
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 20:04

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 20:04
I've had one of the ones from USA for several years. It's a 110 volt model, so I had to buy a step-down transformer too. That ended up making the whole purchase price about the same as if I'd bought a 240v model here in Australia. That was a mistake i made at the time, by not researching the cost of the transformers.

Anyway, I recently decided to purchase some new Makita 18v tools and found them much cheaper on ebay from the USA and, again, with a 110v charger. This time I bought with the confidence that i already had the transformer, so I'm now a happy chappy!!!!

As for the Drill Doctor itself............damned brilliant.!!!!!!!!!

I have the 750X model which will (apparently) cope with bits up to 19mm. I don't have any that big...about 13mm is my largest drill bit.

It makes the job soooooooooo much easier.

Roachie
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Reply By: gbc - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:31

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:31
To sharpen a 16mm bit in a drill doctor takes a 1/2 hr or more.
The machine you need to sharpen a 16mm bit is the largest one and its about $450.00 - personally I'd rather neck myself than stand around trying to sharpen larger drill bits on one.

Tool shops have a drill bit sharpening service.... or.....

Pay $75.00 and buy a step drill.
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Follow Up By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:36

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 15:36
G'day GBC,

Thanks - half an hour hey!Well there is a downside.

I'll look into the step drill.

Kind regards
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Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 18:10

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 18:10
half hour??/ was one side worn away by 10mm?

if the drill is good condition the drill doctor doesnt take long....
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 20:09

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 20:09
Agree with Member No.1

You'd have to be doing something VERY VERY wrong to take soooo long to sharpen a bit. As I said above, the largest bit I have (and sharpened) was a 13mm, but I can imagine that it would take 25 minutes longer to do a bit that was only 3mm bigger diameter..... unless, of course, you'd completely flattened the cutting surface of the bit on the bench grinder before you started.

Personally, I like my drills to be like my knives......VERY sharp. I wouldn't allow a large, expensive drill bit to get so dull that it would take half an hour to sharpen it.

Roachie
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Reply By: xcamper - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 16:09

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 16:09
Hi,
just remember, 118 degrees included angle, (for Steel), backed off for Brass, and allways keep the chuck end beneath the grinding wheel when sharpening.
That will allways be in my mind.
pete
AnswerID: 400191

Reply By: Moose - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 17:19

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 17:19
G'day Beatit
I have an el-cheapo unit at home that I've used successfully a few times. Bit fiddly to set up but works fine.
Can't recall what size it goes up to - can check that and make tonight if you like and let you know. Would have bought it at a hardware store.
Cheers from the Moose
AnswerID: 400194

Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 17:40

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 17:40
See step drills here Cost a bob or two or three as well... lol ..
price list at the bottom of the 2nd page in the link.
regards
Fred B
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Follow Up By: Member - Noel K (NT) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 17:56

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 17:56
Hey Fred,
Step drills (or tree's) are magic, just remember to stop at the desired hole size or you will have a 20mm hole before you know it.
I don't think they can drill through too much thickness and not sure if you can re- sharpen them. We use them on steel stud work and roof purlins etc.

Noel K.
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Reply By: Member - Noel K (NT) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 17:42

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 17:42
G'day Beatit,
We have a Drill Doctor here at work and it seems to work fine although it is still relatively new. The trouble with these sharpeners is the grinding wheel wares out of shape.
Being an old (well, gently ageing) Chippy, I use the side of the bench grinder. Starting at the cutting edge get the pitch right, twist the bit and lift it up in the same motion so the back edge is ground slightly lower than the cutting edge. Dunk the bit in water to keep it cool or it will go blue and will not hold it's edge. Repeat the other side.
I find the bigger the bit the easier it is to sharpen.

Noel K.
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Reply By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 18:10

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 18:10
I too have one and its good
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Reply By: Member - Alan John C (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 18:31

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 18:31
I have had one now for several years and I had same problem now it is set aside a couple of hours and sharpen all my bits along with son inlaws as well you will wish you purchased it years ago.

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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:04

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:04
Gee, lucky me!

Sharpening drills was one of the first things taught to me way back in my apprentice days. Don't need anything other than a grinding wheel.

$500 for a drill sharpening aid? ha! ha! ha! ha!

Sometimes a different angle is required, depending on what you are drilling.

Perhaps a new set of drill bits is the better solution for normal use, especially for the smaller drill sizes.

Bill

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Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:05

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:05
just take 3 or 4 bits and throw the busted ones away, smaller than a sharpening thing and so much less pain in the arse
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:10

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:10
Yes I bought a Drill Doctor 750X from this mob (www.HardwareSales.com) in the US last year. Much cheaper ($US140) and delivery was in 3 days form the US and cost $US40.
I also bought a couple of spare diamond wheels for the unit as well. Total cost was just over $au200 delivered.
I then bought a 300w 240 - 110v transformer from this seller on ebay auction number 260538627721.
So the whole shebang was under $AU250 and I've since sharpened hundreds of blunt drills, mostly in the larger sizes up to 3/4".
Takes only a few minutes each bit unless it is broken/chipped in which case I do it roughly on the bench grinder and then on the Drill Doctor.
I reckon I've got my moneys worth out of it already as one 3/4 bit is at least $20 and as I said I've sharpened probably well in excess of 200 bits and am still using the original grinding wheel in the Drill Doctor
AnswerID: 400218

Reply By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:12

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:12
Hi Beatit

I have no knowledge of these machines, but as the other responses suggest, they work but are pricey.

Do you have a friend or neighbor that happens to be a fitter/machinist/boilermaker? Any one of those tradesmen could teach you how to sharpen any drill with just a regular bench grinder.

Yup, drilling with a blunt drill bit is really a pain....

Good luck

Dave
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Follow Up By: Member - Stuart W (Vic) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:47

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:47
Coupla beers no worries
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Reply By: Member - Stuart W (Vic) - Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:43

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 at 19:43
Like sandman I learnt the drill sharpening thing as an apprentice Fitter many years ago. A 4'' angle grinder will do me to get an edge on the job if there's no other way. It's a skill and there is a knack to it. But like someone else said keep the chuck end down and keep the angle and the distance from the point to the edge the same and you'll get it. there must be some websites that can explain it properly.Buy an 8mm drill bit and just keep sharpening and trying it until you get it. Give it a go
Stuart
AnswerID: 400221

Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 08:57

Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 08:57
G'day guys,

Thanks very much for your feedback. I may look at buying overseas and thanks for the heads up on the transformer. I may also try sharpening via the grinder but I'm guessing that the 118 degrees will be a tough one to get right. I must confess that doing my chainsaw has been a hit and miss affair but every now and then I do get that right.

Once again thanks a lot

Kind regards
AnswerID: 400289

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