Drill bit sharpener

[Keithmac]

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.

That's the one I've bought, can't see any issues with it if you use it carefully.

 

[JOEPRO]

That's the one I've bought, can't see any issues with it if you use it carefully.

I have it too. I had not sharpened a drill bit in my life.

Straight away had great results - drills that were toast are now putting out shavings again razor sharp.

 

[rcx132]

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

Sorry, not a split point... I've only done the regular points.

 

[indy4x]

Have you had to change the grinding wheel yet?.

Nope, but might have to soon

 

[Erie Fred]

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

View attachment 408448

Sorry, not a split point... I've only done the regular points.

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

I see you've eddited your original post.
anything else ?

 

[JOEPRO]

I see you've eddited your original post.
anything else ?

FWIW the Sealey sharpener has a split point function which I use each time.

 

[Erie Fred]

FWIW the Sealey sharpener has a split point function which I use each time.

Yup, and so has my chinese yellow one someone else posted above.
Works very well IMHO.

 

[JOEPRO]

Yup, and so has my chinese yellow one someone else posted above.
Works very well IMHO.

Yes those China ones look good. Just too rich price wise for a DIYr like myself. The sealey was as much as I wanted to budget for one and it suits my needs but a pro user might want the other type.

 

[Chippie]

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.

View attachment 408431

I thought this type was rubbish, you cannot determine the length of the lands accurately…you feed in the bit to grind one side, then grind the other….a bit hit n miss getting them the same…I gave mine away and bought the Sealey one described earlier, much better…

 

[fractured]

Thanks folks, I appreciate your time responding.

I have sharpened bits on a wheel up to now, but I was never the best and now the ageing eyes aren't improving things!

Whilst I am sure the sealey unit isn't built for professional use, my use is more hobbyist based anyway.

It's good to hear people's positive reviews.

 

[tom2207]

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.

I have seen me sharpen drill bits on the back of a cutting disc on a cordless grinder when Ive had to ,,, wheres your sharpening tool then ,,, its a skill thats well worth the ten mins max it takes to learn ,,,
when your getting things tight its a life saver , if you can do it you just take it for granted , learn or practice on 8 or 10mm drills so you can see clearly ,, would be my tip.
Totally agree a tool would be nice to have , but educations easily carried ,, as my old grandad used to say.

 

[rcx132]

I thought this type was rubbish, you cannot determine the length of the lands accurately…you feed in the bit to grind one side, then grind the other….a bit hit n miss getting them the same…I gave mine away and bought the Sealey one described earlier, much better…

You're right. It cuts one side so you need to sharpen both sides equally and possibly top up one side to make them equal. The Sealey also seems to use a diamond disc so won't loose it's profile over time.

 

[tom2207]

sealey stuff usually works , it may not be snap on or the likes , but the prices are reasonable , and the job gets done all in all I have respect for sealey.

 

[JOEPRO]

I have seen me sharpen drill bits on the back of a cutting disc on a cordless grinder when Ive had to ,,, wheres your sharpening tool then ,,, its a skill thats well worth the ten mins max it takes to learn ,,,
when your getting things tight its a life saver , if you can do it you just take it for granted , learn or practice on 8 or 10mm drills so you can see clearly ,, would be my tip.
Totally agree a tool would be nice to have , but educations easily carried ,, as my old grandad used to say.

Points duly noted.

10 mins to learn though? I tried an hour myself with my bench grinder and watching you tube videos and made a total and utter hash if it I gave up as I'm not a pro so it doesn't matter personally.

I do know guys in the trade who have sharpened their drill bits on a grinder for years. And still every now and then they get it wrong too and have to go back to the grinding wheel.

 

[tom2207]

Points duly noted.

10 mins to learn though? I tried an hour myself with my bench grinder and watching you tube videos and made a total and utter hash if it I gave up as I'm not a pro so it doesn't matter personally.

I do know guys in the trade who have sharpened their drill bits on a grinder for years. And still every now and then they get it wrong too and have to go back to the grinding wheel.

I can teach anyone to sharpen drill bits in five mins ,,, genuinely ,
and have done on many occasions , once youve been shown its so simple its crazy , but ideally you need the guy who can do it standing beside you . The guy who taught me 45 years ago was a machinist , I wasnt there the day he showed everyone in the class , but I grabbed him a few days later and he showed me ,,, there are a lot of techniques but the way I was shown is almost fool proof ,,, Thank you Mr Body , that was his name , he also taught me how to file properly , including bending the file with your thumb ,,,

 

[Keithmac]

I've just used the Sealey 2008 and it produced a very sharp drill bit (did a 3mm and 4mm).

Really good bit of kit.

I hand grind them at work but the Sealey can do a better job than me!.

 

[tom2207]

Care to explain?

its all about a twist and a drop of the hand t get the clearance behind the cutting edge , once youve seen it its a doddle ,,, very simple .
hard to explain but easy to demonstrate.
Sorry I cant be of more help , but if your ever passing call in and Ill show you.

 

[8ob]

Thanks folks, I appreciate your time responding.

I have sharpened bits on a wheel up to now, but I was never the best and now the ageing eyes aren't improving things!

Whilst I am sure the sealey unit isn't built for professional use, my use is more hobbyist based anyway.

It's good to hear people's positive reviews.

My peepers are not what they were and I struggle with sub 6mm drills, tried one of those plastic leccy sharpeners from screwfix and launched it in the bin. Seems even the nicer sharpeners are only good for drills up to 13mm which is a shame.

Bob

 

[sparkysy]

I bought the Sealey one many years ago and it been faultless, always gives a consistent result.
I can and used to hand grid mine but also eyesight is failing so anything under 6mm gets done in the Sealey!
Sy

 

[Hood]

I normally sharpen my drills by hand but eyes are going and up to 3mm were getting a struggle so I invested in a Drill Doctor, works well and the one I got does up to 20mm if I recall. As mentioned though I usually just do the bigger ones on the grinder.