Drill Doctor?

**Pete F** · 16th November 2009, 02:31 PM

G'day guys, I'm looking for a new way to sharpen drill bits and exploring alternatives. I'm really not interested in freehand, rather a machine or device that can accurately grind drill bits in the range 2-13 mm or so. While MOST of my work really doesn't matter whether the drill is cutting accurately so freehand is fine, there are times when I need an accurately sized and true hole, generally before tapping. For that reason I've started the post here rather than the woodworking section.

On another BB of professional machinists they bag the hell out of the DD, from what I can gather saying it's inconsistent and simply won't last. However it's a heck of a jump from the DD up to a pro drill grinding machine, with even the cheapest on ebay around the $700 mark. Meanwhile a good pro drill grinder like a Darex is about $2.5K here in Australia!

I'd like to hear from guys that are using the 750 or other recent Drill Doctor machines as to what you found with them over a long term and whether they are able to accurately grind drill bits with any consistency? It's quite amazing just how much science goes into the humble old drill bit these days. I like the split point geometry personally ... a long way from being shown how to hold a bit on the side of the wheel and "roll your wrist like that"

Cheers,
Pete

**pipeclay** · 16th November 2009, 02:49 PM

What ever type of Mechanical device you use to sharpen a drill it will only be as accurate as the machine you intend to use it in.
If you are concerned about a Tapping Drill you would be better off drilling and reaming to size and then tapping with the appropriate class of Tap for tolerance work.

**petersemple** · 16th November 2009, 03:07 PM

I have a Multi-sharp that I got at Bunnings. Good value. Works very well. It was about $40 from memory and easily paid for itself before the week was out. It's easy to use and seems accurate enough to me

Peter

**DJ’s Timber** · 16th November 2009, 08:11 PM

I've got the 750X which does up to 3/4" and I've sharpened a shyte load of bits with it including quite a few over 1/2" and it has performed admirably and feels like it will for a long time yet.

Everyone in my family and a few close mates have had all their sets redone and all of my sets as well. My sets is five full sets in metric and imperial up to 1/2" or 13mm and 3 or 4 sets for family or mates and it isn't showing any sign of wear yet.

It can struggle a bit with bits over 1/2" but that is mainly from trying to feed the bit to quickly or too much pressure.

I can also sharpen bits by hand and the DD will still do a better job as it leaves a much better grind which cuts cleaner.

**Pete F** · 16th November 2009, 10:50 PM

Thanks, as a matter of interest is the profile ground by the Drill Doctor fairly similar to most factory drill grinds or does it change it a little on first grind? Have you used the split point grind on it?

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