Drill Sharpener - Do they work?

[cumbriasteve]

I have to admit I have never got the hang of sharpening my drills

So... are these Draper type gadgets any good that attach to a bench grinder or are they just a gimmick for the likes of me to waste my money on?

Thanks in anticipation for any replies, getting dragged to the supermarket for the weekly reminder that I am a grumpy sod and 'I will never fetch you shopping again'...wish to hell she would keep her word on that

 

[mike os]

IME the cheap "drill sharpener" are a waste of effort... I am almost as accurate hand held and a damn site faster...

I hear good things about the "drill doctor"...700 or 750? model .... but quite a bit more

 

[HOUNDMAGNET]

They do work but most are too low and need a raising block under them.

Grinding by hand is a lot quicker,just make up a 59 deg angle gauge (for 118 deg) point drills and make sure you get equal length lands either side.......it does come with practice,just like a good weld

I have a mate that can roughly do it on site with an angle grinder ...i havent mastered that yet...lol

 

[PhillipM]

^^I learnt it on an angle grinder. Hell, I can do it on worn out flap wheels too, but only if you don't mind 5 minutes doing it rather than 30 seconds on a proper bench grinder!

 

[keith19]

Doing it on an angle grinder sounds interesting, saves taking another bit of kit on site. I take it you'd lock the angle grinder in a portable vice and just use the face of the wheel?
It would take a good man to have the drill bit clamped in a vice and angle grind it!

 

[cumbriasteve]

hmmm..looks like it's get some more practice in then ...thanks for the comments though

 

[PhillipM]

It would take a good man to have the drill bit clamped in a vice and angle grind it!

I'm gonna get hit with a big stick by the H&S guys on here, but I hold the bit in one hand and the grinder in the other...

 

[keith19]

You're not only a good man Sir;
you're a brave man too!
Keep them safety glasses on...

 

[langy]

Put 2 nuts together.

They do work but most are too low and need a raising block under them.

Grinding by hand is a lot quicker,just make up a 59 deg angle gauge (for 118 deg) point drills and make sure you get equal length lands either side.......it does come with practice,just like a good weld

I have a mate that can roughly do it on site with an angle grinder ...i havent mastered that yet...lol

 

[langy]

I mainly sharpen mine by hand, As Mike says its quicker, I also have a Drill Doctor 750X, good tool but takes some practice to master.

IME the cheap "drill sharpener" are a waste of effort... I am almost as accurate hand held and a damn site faster...

I hear good things about the "drill doctor"...700 or 750? model .... but quite a bit more

 

[brightspark]

the draper drill sharpeners are good but are even better with making a fine feed base adjuster there a copy of the reliance sharpeners once u have mastered using it there verry acurate. sharpening by hand is ok for general purpose use but isnt when acuracy is needed . no point in using an 1/8 th drill if its going to drill a 3/16th hole through not being acurate . i have2 sets one general purpose and one set just for just in drilling machine and lathe for quality work .heres a few pictures . i have a fair bit of info on using them by harold hall from the model enginer

 

[Andy from Workshopshed]

That's nice to see

It's nice to see that's how you have your drill sharpener setup as that's how mine looks. I've not really mastered it yet but not had much practice either.

 

[Simon-]

by hand for me! a small bit off centre will not result in drastic consequences . Once it looks reasonable by eye. high tolerance holes are usually reamed/bored. I've never had any major issues (touches wood)
A proper stand alone drill grinding machine would be nice all the same

 

[pedrobedro]

I use one like BS has there and it works on the side of the fine stone but I struggle with the smaller sizes of drill.

 

[HOUNDMAGNET]

There used to be a device called a Martek Drill Sharpener, that you used in conjunction with an electric drill.
I saw one a few years ago,in a model engineer shed, but dont know if it was any good, or indeed if its still available.

It does look handy thou

http://www.techno.com.my/products/martek/index.htm

 

[cumbriasteve]

There used to be a device called a Martek Drill Sharpener, that you used in conjunction with an electric drill.
I saw one a few years ago,in a model engineer shed, but dont know if it was any good, or indeed if its still available.

It does look handy thou

http://www.techno.com.my/products/martek/index.htm

Yeah similar are still available, in fact I think my fav bargain shop Aldis sometimes have them...may treat myself, in the meantime a member has kindly sorted me with some guidance which I am going to have a go at.

 

[brightspark]

drill sharpener

if it sounds 2 good to be true thats cos it probably is i bought this from car boot sale brand new 10 quid bargain of the year there normaly about 30 quid . used it once and its abismal. i could sharpen them blindfolded better all plastic and a sloppy fit ive seen better stuff in a luckybag £10 down the drain

 

[eil]

There used to be a device called a Martek Drill Sharpener, that you used in conjunction with an electric drill.
I saw one a few years ago,in a model engineer shed, but don't know if it was any good, or indeed if its still available.

It does look handy thou

http://www.techno.com.my/products/martek/index.htm

I have one in my shed somewhere, I got it in a load of stuff after clearing a relative`s garage when he passed away, but I'm afraid I cant tell you how good or bad it is because the grinding wheels are worn and I don't know where to get replacements for it, that is if you still can. It was made by Martek ltd, Redruth, Cornwall

 

[the artfull-codger]

I've used my ''murray reliance'' drill grinding jig for the last 40 odd yrs for anything down to 1/8", & below that a ''wishbone'' jig which you use on an oilstone for anything below 1/8" I grind quite a lot freehand on the front of the stone of course, the trouble with the jigs I've seen is that they grind the edge of the flute parallell with the stone & it should be at right angles to last longer rather like grinding a cold chisel on the front of the stone.

slan go fol.

 

[stew]

i usually sharpen by hand on a bench grinder, or if desperate out in the field ill use an angle grinder, but i bought a silverline sharpener. It seems ok, but only use for sharpening slightly worn bits, not for anything major.