Drill bit sharpener

[fractured]

I always thought drill bit sharpeners were a bit of a gimmick, however reading the thread on which drill bits to buy, I noticed people suggesting a drill sharpener.

My ageing eyes make it more difficult on the grinder, so a reasonably priced unit that can actually deliver results would be welcome.

I note the sealey unit is about £60 which is about affordable, but what else is available without going over the top.

I don't mind buying second hand if it gets a quality workable tool that has spares available for the wearing parts.

So can you good people give some advice on what's good and what to avoid, and what may be good as a second hand purchase. I am not in desperate need so I could hold on for a second hand unit if it means I get a better piece of kit at an affordable price.

 

[Keithmac]

I've just bought the Sealey one, looks a good bit of kit but not tried it yet.

The only other one that I could see worth having was £300 iirc.

I normally hand sharpen drills on the bench grinder but though I would give the Sealey a try.

Just found a picture of the other one, these look great if you can justify the £££.

 

[Beanwood]

I always thought drill bit sharpeners were a bit of a gimmick, however reading the thread on which drill bits to buy, I noticed people suggesting a drill sharpener.

My ageing eyes make it more difficult on the grinder, so a reasonably priced unit that can actually deliver results would be welcome.

I note the sealey unit is about £60 which is about affordable, but what else is available without going over the top.

I don't mind buying second hand if it gets a quality workable tool that has spares available for the wearing parts.

So can you good people give some advice on what's good and what to avoid, and what may be good as a second hand purchase. I am not in desperate need so I could hold on for a second hand unit if it means I get a better piece of kit at an affordable price.

Thank you for asking this - I was going to post EXACTLY the same question - but ran out of time to do so.

 

[indy4x]

I've had the Sealey one for a few years, does what it says and have sharpened loads of drill bits with it

 

[Keithmac]

I've had the Sealey one for a few years, does what it says and have sharpened loads of drill bits with it

Have you had to change the grinding wheel yet?.

 

[frank horton]

it doesn't take tha longto learn the old way.....
get someone to show and spend the money on a few cobalt drill bits.....
less sharpening.....

 

[mike os]

Drill doctor is also good

 

[northwest]

Well, I have one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PreAsion-Sharpener-Grinding-High-precision-Sharpening/dp/B0BP7BHGKY/ref=sr_1_60?crid=3UEGH95QX5K7P&keywords=drill+sharpener+machine&qid=1689579009&sprefix=drill+sh%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-60

It works extremely well and if you shop around you can get them much cheaper than this.

 

[Keithmac]

Well, I have one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PreAsion-Sharpener-Grinding-High-precision-Sharpening/dp/B0BP7BHGKY/ref=sr_1_60?crid=3UEGH95QX5K7P&keywords=drill+sharpener+machine&qid=1689579009&sprefix=drill+sh%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-60

It works extremely well and if you shop around you can get them much cheaper than this.

That's the one I wanted really but couldn't justify it for DIY.

Looks a really nice bit of kit.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Well, I have one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PreAsion-Sharpener-Grinding-High-precision-Sharpening/dp/B0BP7BHGKY/ref=sr_1_60?crid=3UEGH95QX5K7P&keywords=drill+sharpener+machine&qid=1689579009&sprefix=drill+sh%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-60

It works extremely well and if you shop around you can get them much cheaper than this.

Presumably they do a 240V version too?

 

[not done it yet]

Off-hand sharpening is often good enough - once operator the becomes reasonably proficient.

A sharpening tool is good for the rest - and for those who cannot guarantee a perfectly centre-cutting result (that includes me!) You would not find a sharpening machine at a blacksmiths work-place back in the middle of the last century, for sure!

I don’t use a guide for ‘tickling‘ chain saws while out on the job. The tickle keeps the chain in good cutting fettle.

 

[Keithmac]

I wouldn't use one at work, wouldn't last 5 minutes probably so hand sharpening it is.

Bought mine out of interest more than anything, plus it's easier than digging the bench grinder out.

One day I'll get my shed/ workshop tidy enough to work in..

 

[rcx132]

I've been using one of these the last few years, £25. But I've found it slow if the drill bit has a chip that needs grinding back. It also looses its grinding profile as the wheel wears. I spent some time learning how to hand grind so I just do that now.

 

[Erie Fred]

Off-hand sharpening is often good enough - once operator the becomes reasonably proficient.

A sharpening tool is good for the rest - and for those who cannot guarantee a perfectly centre-cutting result (that includes me!) You would not find a sharpening machine at a blacksmiths work-place back in the middle of the last century, for sure!

I don’t use a guide for ‘tickling‘ chain saws while out on the job. The tickle keeps the chain in good cutting fettle.

Not really.
The above pictured yellow one with collets is what I have.

When you hand grind do you produce the accurate split point so you drills
don't go walking ?

 

[rcx132]

When you hand grind do you produce the accurate split point so you drills
don't go walking ?

Using one of these drill sharpening squares, I've been able to get decent points.

 

[Erie Fred]

Using one of these drill sharpening squares, I've been able to get decent split points.

View attachment 408448

The split point ?
Please show me how.
I'd love to be able to reproduce a split point with hand grinding.

 

[tom2207]

I free hand sharpen drills , its a mighty skill to master ..

but the other side of things these days , you dont have to sharpen many decent drill bits to save the 60 quid if the thing works as it should .
as a side note the local aircraft factory wont use re sharpened drill bits , due to no guarantee on accuracy and the costs of reworking a part with over sized holes .

 

[h-dom]

I free hand sharpen

When I can't grind a nice split point, I centre punch and pilot hole a small hole first. Nothing I am doing needs any more precision than that, although I appreciate a lot do.

 

[Erie Fred]

I free hand sharpen

When I can't grind a nice split point, I centre punch and pilot hole a small hole first. Nothing I am doing needs any more precision than that, although I appreciate a lot do.

I had a welder friend, had his own 2 man (father & son) fab shop.
Used to layout, prick punch, and then enlarge punch.....had a large punch made from
1" hex, he would come down on that with a 5lb swung from overhead......
Several times, to enlarge the punch mark.

I said "A few more hit's and you don't need the drill".....

 

[JOEPRO]

I get the comments about hand sharpening. But that takes time to learn.

A small investment in a good sharpener gives you 100% repeatable results with no learning curve required.