Drill bit sharpener

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 24 Feb 2008, 08:11

Has anybody used a drill bit sharpener (that would be suitable for a novice) that was any good (e.g. for HSS drill bits)? I was hoping to get a recommendation before spending more of me hard earned . . . Something like this maybe?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PLASPLUGS-4-IN1-D ... dZViewItem

Tony

Post by **maxstu** » 24 Feb 2008, 08:26

Hi,
My dad used to resharpen his drill bits. It takes a lot of practice, patience and skill to do correctly. Back then the bits were quality and more expensive.
IMHO I would buy new. Then a least you can always blame the tools

maxstu

Post by **Frostbus** » 24 Feb 2008, 08:52

i sharpen my own i,m tight

as i use alot of drills at work
if you have access to a bench grinder its not to difficult by hand just practice on large drill bits first and wear goggles!

Post by **Smiler** » 24 Feb 2008, 09:39

Tony,
I sharpen my own, I can show you how to do it but it takes a lot of practice. I was given a large ammo` box full of drill bits to sharpen as an apprentice which took two weeks to sharpen, thats how we learnt!

If you want to get them to me i`ll sharpen them for you, if you want a lesson in how to sharpen them bring them down

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 24 Feb 2008, 10:44

I sharpen my own too.
We had to make a thing called a drill point gauge when I was at Technical College, still no idea how to use it!

Post by **Smiler** » 24 Feb 2008, 11:26

Simon Baxter wrote: still no idea how to use it!

Don`t need one, had loads of practice

And there are different angles for different materials

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 24 Feb 2008, 11:35

Yes, the Plasplugs one works to a satsifactory standard, just follow the instructions and it`ll do what you want.

Post by **toolsntat** » 24 Feb 2008, 19:34

Never used one so can`t recommend one but here`s a link with some info.....
http://www.neme-s.org/Model_Engineer_Fi ... 0Tools.pdf

Post by **wasserleaker** » 24 Feb 2008, 21:26

as said above, one of my 1st tasks as an apprentice engineer nearly 20 yr ago

was being given a box of knkrd drill bits and a new one to copy and spending a couple of days making very short drills which cut holes with varying sucess!
a mate bought a gizmo for sharpening drills but to be honest it was a bit inconsistent and not that good.
have a good look at the angles on a new one and try copying that onto a blunt/used un, and with a bit of practice you'll get there! its well satisfying when a drill you sharpened yourself on a bench grinder actually drills a hole

Post by **lhd** » 24 Feb 2008, 21:59

I bought a cheap cobalt coated set and as long as you don't over heat them they are Fantastic.
Off ebay for less than a tenner.

Post by **Laurie** » 26 Feb 2008, 16:11

I spend hours on end drilling studs out of Water Boxer cases. I sharpen with a fine diamond stone, but after 2 or 3 studs, they go in the box for less precise jobs. I use long series 1/4 drills and will only buy Dormer or Presto, that way I know there's a chance of going through the stud and not out the side of the case!

Never managed to get a drill sharpener that worked well. Except Steve next door!

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 26 Feb 2008, 19:01

Thanks very much for all the info, link and offer of help. Sounds like it's a highly skilled task that needs lots of practice to master. I was just hoping to be able to save a few quid on regularly replacing drill bits, but it sounds like it would be a lot more difficult than I'd hoped!

Tony

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 26 Feb 2008, 19:03

Smiler wrote: . . . if you want a lesson in how to sharpen them bring them down

Thanks Mike, I'll take you up on that offer some time!

Tony

Post by **Smiler** » 26 Feb 2008, 19:49

No problem