Drill Doctor ?

[63t-cab]

Anyone have this for saveing those dull bits,what's your input.called Sears tonight and they have prices from $59.00 up to a bit over $100.00

[jmt]

Sir,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW7kGFcM2sc

I remember being in HS many years back and we made our own gig in metal shop to help us sharpen drill bits. I did a quick look on-line and found this You tube video. Only thing you need is a grinder. Heck a lot cheaper than buying new bits.

John

[shifter4]

I've had one for 5 years or more , and I'm satisfied with it.
It's easy to use , and puts the right shape on the bit.
Prices vary.
Other opinions will vary as well .

[aarrggh]

That video was a bit interesting . .

[sweetolbob]

Anyone have this for saveing those dull bits,what's your input.called Sears tonight and they have prices from $59.00 up to a bit over $100.00

Joe

I've owned a 750 model (up to 3/4") for a number of years and find it to be the best drill sharpening fixture I've encountered. It will do both common bit angles as well as split tip and they will cut when you are done.

I have a couple sets of Cobalt bits that I use for heavy duty drilling in my lathe and mill and it does a nice job of sharpening them.

I'd recommend them and , if you have drill over 1/2", by the 3/4" model. Don't by the cheapest model, not versatile enough for the price. Get the next better one.

Bob

[52 Ragtop]

I got one from my guys in the shop about 5 or 6 years ago. It works great! I always have sharp drill bits now! And it's amazing how fast you can tell one is not sharp anymore.

Jim

[DEEPNHOCK]

That video was a bit interesting . .

Only in Oregon....
It is amazing what people put on video....

[dnevin]

Only in Oregon....
It is amazing what people put on video....

We Oregonians are proud of our history of craftsmanship (and frugality.)

[BeeJay]

Learned a trade (diemaker) back in the 50's. Learned to sharpen drills by eye, no great accomplishment. Never have seen the need for fixtures. If you are really concerned about absolutely correct angles, a protractor is much cheaper.

Bob

[DEEPNHOCK]

Learned a trade (diemaker) back in the 50's. Learned to sharpen drills by eye, no great accomplishment. Never have seen the need for fixtures. If you are really concerned about absolutely correct angles, a protractor is much cheaper.
Bob

My late father taught me how to hand sharpen drill bits.
I have a Black&Decker pencil sharpener gizmo under the drill press... Never use it.
Also have a clamp on drill bit angle jig.... Same deal. (Takes ten minutes to set it up...I'm done by then.
I do have a drill angle steel strip guide that I use to get the angle right (I don't eyeball as good as I used to)

But I still put a cut edge and a relief on all but the smallest of drill bits.
The Drill Doctor is just a continuous curve drill jig.
That's OK, but it leaves you with an edge that does not last as long (imoho)

[gordr]

Yep, I sharpen mine by eye, and pass the finished edge over my thumb. If I feel it trying to cut skin, it will cut metal.

Did a couple last night, in the course of trying to drill some holes in a car body to mount fender bolts. Amazing what a sharp drill will do, that a dull one won't.

[studerodder]

great tool, i've never regretted getting it. i have the pricier version, and it works well.

[Deaf Mute]

I use mine primarily for the small bits... the eyes are giving out... but the large ones still go on the grinder... but maybe not for long; I messed one up pretty bad the other day & the Drill Doctor bailed me out.

[jclary]

....Amazing what a sharp drill will do, that a dull one won't.

In that video, when he talks about making the small inside cut, is what is actually called "thinning the web." Especially on large diameter bits, the "web" is the thickness of the metal between the flutes of the bit. By thinning the web, you decrease the surface area of the point and the effort required to penetrate the metal you are cutting.

Since we are talking about sharpening drill bits, the emphasis is usually on making sure the bit tip is sharpened evenly so that the tip is the same on both edges. However, there is one instance where sharpening a bit "off-center" is beneficial. If you have a quality set of hole saws, they usually have an arbor with a drill bit in the center that serves to drill the "pilot" hole and serve as a guide to keep the hole saw located while it does its job. Once you have your hole sawed, you need to remove the metal plug from the hole saw. Often it gets hung up inside the hole saw and takes some effort to knock or pry it out. Hole saw teeth have a "set" and if you are having difficulty removing the plug it is usually because it is hung up on the pilot bit. If you will sharpen your pilot bit "off-center," it will whip in the hole just enough to create enough clearance for the plug to merely drop off your saw. This little trick was given to me by a terrific elderly machinist who was still operating his shop well into his nineties (RIP).

[Kdancy]

I have the more expensive one as well, love it. I also like how you can adjust for different "twist" that different bits have. I use mine on a regular basis.