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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

drill sharpening

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LA55

06-22-2007 15:51:52




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I am trying to educate my self in drill bit sharpening> As a mechanic for many years I find my self very fustraded when encountering a dull bit. Somtimes my sharpening works and other times it dosent. Can any one explain in detail what ( thining the drill bit means by grinding the webing. Thanks




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TimV

06-25-2007 09:18:41




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
LA55: Take a look at some of the PDF files on the Drill Doctor site, such as "anatomy of a drill bit". This should give you some idea of what you're up against. After getting a Drill Doctor, I seldom if ever sharpen bits by hand any more--it's faster, easier, and more repeatable to do them on the Drill Doctor. I think the best comment on one of these was what someone posted a few months back--after buying one, the only problem he had with it was the noise. It seemed to attract neighbors who would show up with handfuls of dull drill bits!

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Slowpoke

07-03-2007 00:14:25




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to TimV, 06-25-2007 09:18:41  
About half the time I get a negative rake using the 750 Drill Doctor. Any Idea why?



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oldrustycars

06-24-2007 07:37:18




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
I sharpened bits on a grinder for 30 years, believe me when I say the Drill Doctor will be your best friend. The frustration when you break a bolt, then try to drill it out with a bit that isnt exactly perfect will be a thing of the past. Just get one of the better models, not the homeowner models. I have the DD750.



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Greg in Millington

06-24-2007 06:13:13




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
Go to a tool supply place like Production tool and ask for a drill sharpening gauge. Looks like a short steel rule with an angle at the top set up at the correct pitch for most applacations. After you sharpen one side just line up and you can see how close you are. has measure lines for comparing center tip. Cost just a few bucks.



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JV3CII

06-24-2007 05:19:55




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
Try looking in Harbor Freight or Sears for one of these (HF do a 10" bench grinder cheap that would probably do OK with one).
Cheers, JV.



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Owen Aaland

06-23-2007 13:37:29




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
Start by holding ther bit horizontal and match the angle as you start to sharpen the bit. As you start to grind on the bit, rotate it clockwise and lower the the shank end of the bit. Alternate sides to keep the cutting point centered on the bit.

You only need to rotate a few degrees and also you will only be lowering the end of the bit a few degrees. Practice moving the bit a few times before turning on the grinding wheel. That will give you a chance to watch to see how much you need to rotate and how much you need to drop. Practicing with a large bit makes it is easier to see if you are matching the angles.

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`Bernie in MA

06-23-2007 19:02:16




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to Owen Aaland, 06-23-2007 13:37:29  
I sharpen drills the same way you do except I don't rotate them at all. I check on each side being equal by drilling a piece of scrap in the drillpress on the slowest speed and watching to see if the chips are equal size. If not I shut off the power while cutting and mark the flute that has the big chip and take just a whisker off it with the grinding wheel.



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Bob - MI

06-23-2007 06:38:35




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
Chances are that you are not getting the point evenly ground side to side. The suggestion about the drill gauge is a good one. Grinding by hand is kind of a lost art but like most skills it has to be developed by practice. Keep at it and you will nail it. I started grinding them when I was in high school shop class almost 40 years ago. It was something that came in handy when I worked in a large machine shop and now in my barn.

Keep a few new bits around in the same size range that you are using for visual comparison. You can just quickly look at them to see how you are doing.

You could always give up and get a drill doctor.

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fzbcheve

06-22-2007 18:16:43




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
We have the Drill Doctor, and it really works Will do up to 3/4 inch.



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SDE

06-22-2007 18:15:00




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
The point of the drill bit is thinner when it is new as opposed to being sharpened a few times. As the bit gets shorter, you will notice that the point become thicker. This will cause the bit to need more pressure to get it to cut. I thin the web by hand. I try to grind a relief on the back side of the point, extending almost to the mid point of the point. Then I turn it 180 and do the other side. Some people grind in the flute area until they have removed enough to get the point thinner. I am not very good at creating visual images for other people but I hope it helps.

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LA55

06-24-2007 07:36:39




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to SDE, 06-22-2007 18:15:00  
When you refere to thining the web. Are you for example looking at the bit in front of you in a verticle position, grinding the flute on the back side of the cutting edge? Hope that describes what im trying to say Thanks LA55



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SDE

06-26-2007 14:33:44




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-24-2007 07:36:39  
Yes. We have two drill sharpeners at work. I sharpen the drill on one and then thin the web on the second one. The second one has a wheel that is about 2 inches in diameter that is hollow in the center. I try to put the relief behind the edge of the drill point. Then flip 180 and do the second side. This method would be simular to what I think is called a split point drill.

The other method uses a standard bench grinder and you use the edge or corner of the wheel to thin the web by laying the flute against it. Try it with the grinder off first to get a better understanding of what we are trying to accomplish. I was shown how to do it this way but I prefer the other.
SDE

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L.C.Gray

06-22-2007 18:11:28




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
First find you a drill point guage. It will help ensure you hold the lip angles true and keep them both equal length so your bit runs on center and cuts the same size hole as the drill.

Secondly.... patience.

Its really not too hard to do with a good stone.



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midwest redneck

06-22-2007 16:29:57




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 Re: drill sharpening in reply to LA55, 06-22-2007 15:51:52  
Most drill bits have a 118 degree drill point angle. Basically I sharpen my bits by having dressed wheel and then holding the drill at a 59 degree angle, I just hold the drill cutting edge straight to the wheel, and then with light pressure I grind the edge and also rotate the bit so that there is a relief on the cutting edge. Do this on both cutting edges. It is real easy to show someone in person but practice makes perfect.

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