Sharpening drill bits by hand

[widgitmaster]

Most bench or pedistal grinders do not have wheels with keen sharp corners, the kind needed to do a nice split point! Also the position of the drill on the wheel of a pedistal or bench grinder is very awkward for seeing what you are doing! So for those shops which have a basic surface grinder available for such tasks, the results are usually better and easily done not to mention they usually have a light within reach!

I was fortunate to have had a good teacher in highschool metal shop, he had me sharpening everything!

Eric

[tobyaxis]

As Lakeside, Geof, Widgit, Dertsap, and others pointed out that drill point sharpening is a must. Personally I think I was doing it wrong for many years. Either poor equipment, being rushed all the time and not taught right from the get go. Geof a few weeks ago sent me a PM on how he was taught drill sharpening and it's tops. So many people do things so many different ways that as luck would have it I was born in the era. I tried Geof's method and low and behold it took less time (when I finally got it right) not to mention very accurate. For me that is difficult because when I was young I had an accident which left three digits on the Left Hand in pretty bad shape. Usually a little duct tape can keep it from shaking too much. All I ever want is to be a good Machinist. Thanks for the Tip Geof.

BTW: Geof could you PM me on split point drills ?

[widgitmaster]

http://www.oceanavenger.com/video/dr...trator-512.wmv
http://www.oceanavenger.com/video/dr...trator-256.wmv


http://www.oceanavenger.com/drill-gr...-video.htm#new





Drill Dr. videos:
http://www.genext.drilldoctor.com/content/view/21/38/

[phantomcow2]

I have no problem sharpening my bits by hand, and do it when necessary. They seem to cut, pretty well. I know they are not perfect, and I am not willing to invest the time to make them perfect. But I can revive a dull bit alright. When you need a bit, you need it now.

[Greolt]

My dad, who was what we call a "fitter and turner" had me sharpening drills as a young kid.
To me it's a bit like riding a bike, you don't lose it.
He would say "it's a feel thing".
He would say the same when I was using a drill press or tapping a thread.
Taught me to sharpen lathe tools and cut threads.

Now I know my skills won't "cut it" in a modern production machine shop, but around the farm or in the
shed fixing things I am very glad my dad took the time to teach me these things

[tobyaxis]

Thanks Eric,

The Videos are excellent. Drill Doctor looks like an economic choice. I've always seen them in Enco but didn't think they were any good. Plus a lot of people say they aren't any good. This goes on the wish list

The other drill grinder looks a bit pricey but that in the shop would be a great investment.

[widgitmaster]

As for those who voted to just throw them dull drills away, they should sell them on eBay, its a perfect place for dull homeless drills!

On second thought, send them to me!

Eric

[ajl6549]

I don't do it any more, we have a drill/tool grinding dept. but I think every "real" machinist should konw how

[Cobra92fs]

In a production shop, drill sharpening should be a last resort as most have mentioned.
I have had several people in the shop teach me how to sharpen drills, and I am now getting good results. For me, it is only time to sharpen a drill if we are out of that size or I am using a special drill and we don't have any sharp spares. This is different at home of course, I will sharpen them all.

In a production shop, we should not have to be sharpening drills, our tool guy should keep up on the orders so that we don't have too! Then the dull drills can be sent to someone else to mess with.

[miljnor]

My drill sharpener was used alot when I was a one man shop and had the time.

Now its just a fail safe for the dip dunk employee that fails to tell me when we have 5 drills left, so I can order more.

Don't know how many times someones walked up to me and says "hey boss were out of this bit/tool" usually after 5:00pm and the tool is unobtainium and a job stopper!

oh happy times!

thats usually when its time for the grolsch or moose drool that I was saving for a special moment!

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by widgitmaster As for those who voted to just throw them dull drills away, they should sell them on eBay, its a perfect place for dull homeless drills! On second thought, send them to me! Eric

The first time I sharpened a Jobber it was a good Stubby in about 45 minutes about 10 years ago. Too short, Ooops!

[Geof]

Originally Posted by miljnor ... Don't know how many times someones walked up to me and says "hey boss were out of this bit/tool" usually after 5:00pm and the tool is unobtainium and a job stopper!....

A truly competent boss foresees this type of thing early in the day when there is still time to obtain the required tool.