Drill Sharpening Tools

[steviec_lj]

Right,

Having not gotten into the workshop for two weeks almost, other than to drag tools out, load them up and going out to do a bit of subcontracting, I've now got a reason to get back in there.

I've inherited a large box of drills, all different shapes and sizes, most of which simply need sharpening. Now, I could use my account at NS Tooling, but I think I could run to at least £100 of sharpening, if I took all the blades I need doing too.

So, I'm looking to invest in a tool that's going to save me some money in the long run. A drill/multi tool sharpening contraption. I've no idea how to do it on a grinder, so a specific tool seems the way forward. I don't want to spend the earth, or it defeats the object of trying to save money because I'm careful with my bits, and treat them with love care and attention, unlike the previous owner of this box full.

So, does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Bill Edwards]

Regardless of whether you buy a reasonably priced too or not, I suggest you learn how to do it as most of us do - by hand, with a grinder.
Not only is it quick and easy and pretty accurate, but if you're ever away from your tool you'll be able to touch up on whatever is to hand. Bench grinder, angle grinder at a push, even belt sanders.

 

[Spark plug]

Learn to do it by hand, it's the only way to do it without spending £££ on a proper drill point grinder.

The cheep do it all sharpening machines are rubbish, and I mean rubbish.

There are plenty of good videos on YouTube to get you started.

 

[brightspark]

Learn to do it by hand, it's the only way to do it without spending £££ on a proper drill point grinder.

The cheep do it all sharpening machines are rubbish, and I mean rubbish.

There are plenty of good videos on YouTube to get you started.

the only cheap drill grinding jigs are like the reliance sharpening jigs .there prety tricky to set upand use but once u get the hang of it there ok

 

[DAPPH]

What are the biggest & smallest drills you have? Big drills are easier by hand and don't fit most jigs smaller ones say 10 mm or less can be done in a cheapish £10 or so device from the likes of ALDI orLIDL that fits on the end of a hand held power drill but like most say they are not that good .

There are some plastic cased water cooled white stones with an adjustable table that seem to be specially deigned for sharpening drills usually found in the likes of B&Q for about £35 ish

 

[Rig Pig]

Learn to do it by hand, it's the only way to do it without spending £££ on a proper drill point grinder.

The cheep do it all sharpening machines are rubbish, and I mean rubbish.

There are plenty of good videos on YouTube to get you started.

+1

A large box of drill bits is perfect to use to learn how to sharpen them properly by hand on a grinder. Keep a good new bit to hand to compare angles and don't go mad and overheat the bit.

 

[steviec_lj]

The drills range in size from 3.3mm, which will be great for M4 holes, to 30mm ish. I haven't measured the largest yet. Also different types of drill, a few spade wood bits, some masonry bits, but mainly what seem to be HSS bits.

Do I need a specific wheel for one of the many bench grinders?

 

[Spark plug]

For HSS a standard blue wheel will be fine. Start with a drill about 12mm as small drills below 5mm are trickery even for an experienced hand.

 

[winchman]

When you sharpen one by hand always drill a test hole if it has to be exact as its possible to sharpen a drill and it will drill over size if the pointy bit if off centre

 

[DAPPH]

As most drills have an angle close to 60 degrees , as apprentices 50 yrs ago , we were advised to put two precision black nuts of the same size together on a flat plate (a magnet works well ) with a light source behind them . Done to see how the sharpened drill fitted to the angles , to ensure that the ground up cutting & clearance angles were evenly made as well .
Good luck

 

[Bill Edwards]

Leave the masonry and wood bits, and 10 to 13mm drills are a good size. A normal grinding wheel is all you need, though make sure the face is smooth and not grooved.

Some weld or braze two large nuts together as a guide.
One thing to be sure to get right (as well as the angles) is that the point is central, otherwise the hole produced will be larger than it should be. Handy though when you need a slightly bigger bit though, a useful trick to remember.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

A slitting disc in an angle grinder is good for producing split points on larger sized drills, it makes it easier to centre the drill on a pop mark.

Edit
Came across this video for a drill sharpening fixture when searching for split point drill sharpening, looks a quality bit of kit.

http://kaindl.de/en/bsg-20-435.html
If you have to ask the price you probably can't afford it?

 

[EddyP]

I got a drill doctor for xmas and it's pretty damn good for sharpening.

 

[waldershelf]

I'm OK sharpening larger drill bits by hand on a bench grinder but struggle with smaller ones, 4mm ish and smaller. For the smaller drills I use an inexpensive (Aldi I think) mains powered sharpener. It's a bit of a one trick pony, it will only sharpen standard HSS drills in standard sizes but it works pretty well.

 

[DAPPH]

That's the one I was on about , I got a spare sharpening stone with mine ( from Aldi )

 

[outofthefire]

another vote for teaching yourself it really is easy when you get the hang of it, and if you'e got a load just work on one of them till you get it. These days 6mm is close to my limit unless i've got good light and my bins on, but I even resharpen snapped bits if there is enough left because short bits can come in real handy in tight spaces.