Thread: Drill bits

I looked at the Drill Doctor 750 and the other models but purchased the Tormek DBS-22 jig as I already have a Tormek T7. The DBS-22 works very well and produces a very good four facet point.

My main reasons for discounting the DD750 was the small sharpening wheel and the cost of the replacement parts (~ $70) and the limited range of drill profiles when compared to the DBS-22. Otherwise I think the DD750 is probably a good stand alone unit.

One thing to watch though is concentricity of the point with any sharpening system. Very frustrating to find a 27/64" drill bit producing a 30/64" or bigger hole

I've the DD750 which does a great job. Very quick.

That tormek jig looks pretty amazing though:

It is one skill most of us need tuition to get the hang of though there are some excellent YT videos out there but some real crap as well. I was lucky, I have friend who was a metal trades tech teacher and he gave me a course in drill sharpening.

The drill bits sharpened using the Tormek jig are often sharper and work better than new. Unless one gets split point bits, drill bit often wonders off course for a while until it bites into the work piece. The four facet bits have a centre point which make it possible to drill right where you want it. However they are not for bits less than 3mm and they are cheap to replace anyway. I'm very happy with mine and there is no more excuses for blunt bits
I've also tried the multi function sharpener from Aldi for sharpening small bits less than 6mm (ozito has the same). They are not too bad for the price, but is not the same league as the Tormek but then it's only one tenth of the price.

Originally Posted by justonething

The drill bits sharpened using the Tormek jig are often sharper and work better than new.

I would agree with that statement. For many years I have had a preference for Sutton, P&N drill bits and have used them for drilling celtic knot and other laminated pen blanks. Occasionally I would have a run of failures when drilling particularly when the bit started to loose its cutting edge. The Sutton Viper bits were a huge improvement with much less problems with drill runout but the same bit sharpened with the Tormek DBS-22 system is another step up, much less cutting pressure, no breakout on the exit and a very clean well dimensioned concentric hole in the end grain pen blanks.

True, drill bits will wander if/when the tip angles are wrong for the material.
Stainless steel, plastics, woods, have different tips according to my Machinist's Reference Handbook.
So far, I find that they are telling the truth. The book shows 5 different tip angles, 3 will do me.

I'm now thinking that a power system to do those with consistency would shorten my days.

Originally Posted by NathanaelBC

I've tried to learn to do it on the bench grinder but no luck yet.

I know many people say "Drill bits are cheap, just replace them when they wear"

Many people are only buying chinese crap. I would be broke real quick throwing my blunt bits away. I can do it manually on a grinder, part of my trade training or use my DD500X. It is perfect for creating split points, just wished I had spent a few more $ and got the 750 model. I just had a look on Carbatecs site and they sell a sharpening jig that works on the side of a 200mm grinder, but their website and search enging are crap. Quick look on fleabay and they are on there for about $39 plus freight. I have a couple of them and they are good enough for occasional users, I use mine for touching up the bits boring hitensile or stainless on the metal lathe.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Thanks, had $180 credit at Total Tools so went and got the 750

Perhaps fFolks who attempt to learn how to sharpen bits by hand and give up simply aren't being patient enough.
Their usual reason for buying a sharpener is they don't have the time to learn.
I reckon it shouldn't take more than ~ hour to be able to learn how to sharpen reproducibly on bits larger than ~6mm, OK, and a bit longer on smaller ones.
This means, buying a $100 or a $400 drill sharpener, effectively valuing one hour of your hobby time at that rate
In contrasts, what I see is a lot of DIYers (including myself) producing stuff which when valued in reality works out at ~$5/hr.

It's a fine thing to use a sharp drill bit.

It is not easy to sharpen one. It's a real skill, not one easy to learn. Getting the angle right, then both faces the same height is very hard indeed.

Having a drill doctor has ensured the quality of my work is very high. I must drill 500 ten mm holes a week and it's made a huge improvement.

On pricing, why does everyone sell themselves so cheaply? I charge $40 an hour, no exceptions, and can't keep up. Personally, I think my rate is a bargain!