Anyone want to re-sharpen drill bits again......

CalG · Aug 15, 2017

I've got one of those attachments, They can do good work, but it's an acquired skill. Call it "assisted off hand grinding".

With the passing years, and failing near vision, I am working on drill pointing that makes use of my KO Lee Tool and Cutter grinder. I'm working on the lines of the SRD drill pointer.

Not sure where it will go, but at least the lips will be symmetrical.

The T&C machine does a bang up job on hand and machine reamers!

not2old · Aug 16, 2017

Learned how to sharpen drills when working in a machine shop during high school years. I'm not as good as I used to be, but do "good enough". Drill doctor works well but only seem to use it on smaller sizes when my supply of sharp bits needs replenishing. Best tip I can give is to keep it cool, quenching in water frequently. I also use a wheel dresser.

katoomed00 · Aug 16, 2017

Eyes are not working as well as they use to, even with cheaters it seems that I'm never in the right position of light. Now I use the DD for anything less than 1/4"

LD1 · Aug 16, 2017

Are we talking about grinding wheels specifically for a Drill doctor? or a wheel for a normal bench grinder?

IF for the Drill doctor....I cant help. Never used one so dont know.

If we are talking about a bench grinder.....cant help there either as I havent used one in years.

I like belt sanders. There aint much you can do on a bench/pedestal grinder that cant be done on a belt.

Belt sander is my go-to for drill bit sharpening as well as rounding corners off on metal etc.

6x36 works nice.

Big Barn · Aug 16, 2017

LD1 said:
Are we talking about grinding wheels specifically for a Drill doctor? or a wheel for a normal bench grinder?

IF for the Drill doctor....I cant help. Never used one so dont know.

If we are talking about a bench grinder.....cant help there either as I havent used one in years.

I like belt sanders. There aint much you can do on a bench/pedestal grinder that cant be done on a belt.

Belt sander is my go-to for drill bit sharpening as well as rounding corners off on metal etc.

6x36 works nice.

^^^ X2 on the belt grinder. ^^^

When I have a bunch of drill bits to sharpen I'll re-read the directions for the Drill Doctor and use it but I'll most often touch up a bit I need on the belt.

Terry

dragoneggs · Aug 16, 2017

Big Barn said:
^^^ X2 on the belt grinder. ^^^

When I have a bunch of drill bits to sharpen I'll re-read the directions for the Drill Doctor and use it but I'll most often touch up a bit I need on the belt.

View attachment 518739

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Terry

That is a sweet looking sander! Also like your drill bit drawer. No way I could fill that up even close but it would be nice to be organized that way.

LD1 · Aug 16, 2017

dragoneggs said:
That is a sweet looking sander! Also like your drill bit drawer. No way I could fill that up even close but it would be nice to be organized that way.

Got one of those too. Every industrial setting I have been in used the same thing.

I have yet to come up with a better way to organize bits. Its a "Huot" brand drill organizer. Usually run ~$60-$70 online

kthompson · Aug 16, 2017

LD1 said:
Are we talking about grinding wheels specifically for a Drill doctor? or a wheel for a normal bench grinder?

IF for the Drill doctor....I cant help. Never used one so dont know.

If we are talking about a bench grinder.....cant help there either as I havent used one in years.

I like belt sanders. There aint much you can do on a bench/pedestal grinder that cant be done on a belt.

Belt sander is my go-to for drill bit sharpening as well as rounding corners off on metal etc.

6x36 works nice.

Best tool to sharpen mower blade with also. You can sharpen the full cutting edge level as you can lay the full edge on there at the same time with running the blade across it on an angle.

bigdeano · Aug 16, 2017

It's just my opinion, but the star wheel dressers leave a sharper, cooler cutting wheel than a diamond dresser. I just grind by eye on a 10 x 1.5" wheel. I think it's 80 grit. Large bits are hard to get both sides the same, sometimes I use a simple drill point gauge. I had a lot of practice at work when I was a machinist.

Big Barn · Aug 17, 2017

kthompson said:
Best tool to sharpen mower blade with also. You can sharpen the full cutting edge level as you can lay the full edge on there at the same time with running the blade across it on an angle.

Yes, the belt grinder is great for mower blades for the reasons you mentioned. The proper way to grind a blade though is with a jig on a wheel grinder or a specialized mower blade grinder. The grinding wheel achieves a hollow (concave) profile which creates a longer lasting "edge".

The worst way to sharpen mower blades is to clamp it in the vice and use an angle grinder. The result will be a razor sharp (convex) cutting edge that will immediately start to dull when used.

Here's a Google image of the Rotomaster blade grinder I sold when I retired.