Sharpening Standard Drill Bits

[d.huber]

A crucial part of accurate drilling is having sharp drill bits. Over time, all of our tools get dull and need to be resharpened. Our standard drill bits are no different. Dull bits will wander and we don't want that.

I found this great video on how to sharpen standard drill bits and thought I'd share. It helped me and I hope it helps you.

[PremalChheda]

Here is how I sharpen drill bits:

1. open chrome browser
2. go to www.mcmaster-carr.com
3. place order

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

Thats how I do it. They are $1.60

[sandahlpipe]

I just use my trusty ex-lap hones. But they are probably only good for a few good sharpenings before I use the Chheda method of sharpening.

[W.Pastuch]

Here is how I sharpen drill bits:

1. open chrome browser
2. go to http://www.mcmaster-carr.com
3. place order

Yup

[d.huber]

Lol! That's a great method, Premal, but I'm cheap and impatient. When I discover that a bit has dulled, I want to use it immediately instead of waiting for a shipment from McMaster Carr.

Plus they charge like $16 to ship that one bit?

[caskwith]

I am learning how to sharpen my bits properly, I am also hoping to build a drill grinding machine when I have the time. That being said though I wouldn't use home sharpened bits on any crucial holes in pipe making, if they cut oversize or wander even a little bit then the pipe is screwed. I buy brand new high quality bits for pipes and I keep them ONLY for pipes. For DIY and other projects I have other drill bits which I would sharpen and use again.

[scotties22]

I am with Premal on this one. When I do order new bits I do so two at a time and then reorder when I get the second one out.

[mcgregorpipes]

sharpening s&d bits on the bench grinder is pretty easy with practice. drilling metal or hard exotics can dull a bit fast. what i've found surprising is that precise angle isn't critical, if the bit is even on each side and within a few degrees of where you want it you can get an edge like almost new. forstner bits can dull fast and best way i've found to sharpen regularly is with a diamond dremel disc, but only get a few sharpens on a counter bore or forstner before the profile will start to become less perfect. same diamond cutter tool for sharpening carbide teeth, or to touch up the profile on a chamber spade you can just graze over the cutting edge and make it shiny without changing profile

[andrew]

I just order new bits.

andrew

[wdteipen]

Straight bits are cheap so I don't usually sharpen them. Tapered bits are expensive. I sharpen them and get a lot more use out of them doing so.

[smokindawg]

I use a Drill Doctor.......... Works great if you keep it clean. Sharpens a bit very well for me, once I learned how to use it that is.

[jmoss]

Hello,

i suppose smokindawg you mean something like this in the photo.

Today i gave it a try and i like it very much.

[socrates]

Great, thanks!

[d.huber]

To drill my airways I use an 8" chip clearing bit. It was $18ish at McMaster Carr, so I'm not terribly fond of the idea of buying a new one every time mine gets dull. It dulled and started to wander a little so I sharpened it. Took me about 10 seconds and it cuts beautifully again.

Buying a regular supply of cheapo bits makes a lot of sense. I just have a hard time justifying little expenses when they're unnecessary. Little expenses add up to big ones over time, yo.

[scotties22]

I'm missing something here. Is the 8" long chip clearing bit necessary for shape first drilling? I've never done shape first so I honestly don't know. If the answer is "No", then why are you spending money on a bit that is unnecessarily long and has a (in my opinion) unnecessary "feature" in the chip clearing as I have found briar to gunk up on the bit even when it is a chip clearing one.

[baweaverpipes]

Eight years ago I purchased high end 1/4 and 5/16" bits for the mortise. They're as sharp as new. Buy the good stuff. Any job is easy as long as you have the right tools.

[d.huber]

I'm missing something here. Is the 8" long chip clearing bit necessary for shape first drilling? I've never done shape first so I honestly don't know. If the answer is "No", then why are you spending money on a bit that is unnecessarily long and has a (in my opinion) unnecessary "feature" in the chip clearing as I have found briar to gunk up on the bit even when it is a chip clearing one.

I mean, it's not for a number of pipes but it opens up options and it drills quickly, cleanly, and accurately when sharp. It's possible that i could pick up a shorter bit for shorter pipes, but I dig the drill bit and like the way it works so I guess I just don't see why I'd buy another bit when the one I have works great. I am not a tool aficionado or enthusiast so I just go with what works best for me.

[d.huber]

Eight years ago I purchased high end 1/4 and 5/16" bits for the mortise. They're as sharp as new. Buy the good stuff. Any job is easy as long as you have the right tools.

That is the truth! I should invest the time to learn what the good stuff is so I don't have to mess with bits that work well but dull too quickly. I kinda assumed that all bits dulled over time but If yours are still cutting like new I clearly haven't bought the right stuff yet.

[sandahlpipe]

I use the shortest possible drill bit for airways. That way there is minimal flex. I have a nice set of standard length drill bits for airways and mortises and the only ones I have needed to touch up are the ones I used to drill through turquoise. And they don't bend like the cheaper ones do.