Thread: Drill Doctor

bench grinder and a wee bit of practice maybe.

a bench grinder is alright with the right stone on it & the right speed, otherwise you will damage the metal composition of the drill bits. The drill doctors arent that expensive by the time you stuff around getting it right with the bench grinder

I could never master the art of sharpening a drill bit on a grinding wheel, frequently damaging the bit. So I finally bought a Drill Doctor. Sharpened my Sutton S3 box of 25 drill bits in less than an hour, and they now cut into steel beautifully. Best thing I ever did, buying that tool

Now the problem is keeping track of it with my 4 tradesmen sons, although the baker doesn't use it.

Dear Batcat (hey!...)

They're definitely worth buying. The 360x (as in 118deg only, and up to 1/2" Bits) can be picked up for less than $200 if you are patient enough. You still have to keep an eye on what they're doing to the end of your Bits (I coat the ends with Nikko Pen, before shoving them in...), because they're not quite as foolproof as what the slick promo videos would have you believe. But having said that, whatever they do, they generally do evenly to both "faces" of the Bit, and if you get it right, the difference that they make to your drilling speed through steel will make you very happy that you "shelled-out" after all. Despite what they say, you effectively still have to do the 1/8" Bits by hand on the Bench Grinder, but that's not the end of the world, because they're too small to do much in the way of "wandering" about anyway - especially if you've "punched" the spot where you want to drill in advance.

With regard to alternatives, in my experience of owning both the "Pencil Sharpener" type, as well as one of those "Bench-Grinder-Jigs", they are both virtually useless, although I have heard some other Forumites state that the second type has served them well. Only the "Cammed" type - such as the Drill Doctor - can faithfully reproduce the compound-type surface angles that Drill Bits are manufactured with. And with regard to the Cammed units, the Drill-powered ones just don't have the sheer speed required to remove metal from the Bit, rather than get slowed down and pushed aside by it...

They are definitely a good thing to have on the shelf, if for no other reason than if they can save you having to drop everything in order to jump in the car and drive down to the Hardware to buy a sharp new Bit (in a size that you already have...), especially if you don't have a Bench Grinder...

Best Wishes,
Batpig.

Thanks for the replies.
Well I've decided enough procrastinating, time to buy.
Having a quick search of prices. My local tool shop http://www.sydneytools.com.au/default.asp has 5 models;
I'm leaning towards the 750X, it's only $11 difference to the 500X.
DD 300 $283.21
DD500X $447.55
DD750X $458.00

And I need a new Estwing 24oz, my 2nd one's leather handle has all but 'had it'.
And i should check out POWER tools... and and and, like a kid in a lolly shop

Norwest have the 500X for $378

Originally Posted by batcat

Thanks for the replies.
Well I've decided enough procrastinating, time to buy.
Having a quick search of prices. My local tool shop http://www.sydneytools.com.au/default.asp has 5 models;
I'm leaning towards the 750X, it's only $11 difference to the 500X.
DD 300 $283.21
DD500X $447.55
DD750X $458.00

And I need a new Estwing 24oz, my 2nd one's leather handle has all but 'had it'.
And i should check out POWER tools... and and and, like a kid in a lolly shop

BC I have the 750x - it's easy to use and does a great job on the most comprehensive range of drills and sizes. Best buy if you think the economics and/or convenience it provides works for you. Good luck.

I got a 750X on ebay (US) for about 240AU delivered.
110 volt of course, so a 300 watt 240/110 inverter for $50 took care of that!

Under $300 for a top of the range model suits me

Always looking for a bargain.

I did the same! Bought for $220 on eBay delivered and had a transformer here! Beats buying the outrageous import prices in Australia! Only thing is I havent taken the time to try it and use it yet!

Another note, Bought a 2 US model Hilti 18-A 21V hammer drills, equivalent to the aussie model 21-A for $700 which beats the Aussie price for 1 unit at $880 both with 2 drills and charger. Oh and Hilti covers all international warranty so I'm covered too! ( I asked Hilti whilst in store). Usually with my dewalt purchases im willing to forego the warranty because they last longer than the three years anyway as mine have and they are a damn sight cheaper. The Hilti margin wasnt so large so I had to ensure warranty was available.

Always pays to shop around and sometimes overseas!

Bought the 500X 1 month ago and absolutely love it! It's quick and easy once you get the hang of it which doesn't take long.
Wish I'd bought it 3 years earlier.Paid $400.00.
I was always buying new drill bits because I could never sucessfully sharpen my worn ones on my bench grinder so I won't have to spend money on new drill bits for a while.

I have the 360X model, I bought it from Norwest tools (they are nice guys too). It cost me about $220 from memory.

I couldn't justify the really expensive model. Even though the 360X does not do the really big bits, nor the small ones, it does most of the bits I use day to day very well. For me, you can buy a bucket of drill bits at most flea sales for $10, take them home, sharpen them on the Drill Dr and use them. Even if they aren't the best quality drill bits, providing they are sharp they will drill well. Far better then a good quality bit that needs sharpening.

The unit isn't fool proof, but it does pay for itself, and like all tools if they are sharp they are a joy to use.

I recommend the Drill Doctor, whichever model you choose.

Anthony