The split point produced may be adjusted considerably via: rotation angle, infeed, and point width. I often use #1 center drills for starting holes but find them relatively fragile. Should the tips snap off they can be re-sharpened to resemble a spotting drill (but with 4 facets) -- and are much less fragile than they were originally. Random Thoughts On Drilling Why we like it: This multifunctional sharpener is smaller than most grinders, meaning it won’t take up much space on your workbench while still giving you an edge. Why we like it: This portable sharpener is ideal for those who are not based in a workshop or who want to sharpen drill bits and other small tools in the field.

While the first type is usually only suitable for drill bits, the attachments for grinders can be used with various tools and not just drill attachments.

It is able to deliver 1350 RPM no-load speed drawing just 90 watts, meaning there isn't much to complain as far as energy-efficiency is concerned. John Baron made the table wider so the left table support is outside the wheel. He used ER16 collets rather than the original ER20's. The motor is reversible, accounting for the two switches on the top of the box. Lots of little differences from the original design but it keeps the original concept where the drill center is on the trunnion pivot line so it works fine. He also made the jig to set the drill extension from the collet and the lips horizontal For those who would like to build but don't want to reference the plan on Yahoo, here is some build info (see picture above). The Body is 2" long (1/2" or 3/8" OD), drilled to 0.243 and then reamed 0.250 half way through from each end. It is important to drill from both ends, centering carefully each time to ensure concentricity of the bore. When reaming the second half, run the reamer all the way through. A 0.035 wide groove, 0.030 deep is turned 0.865 from the lower end of the body. A 1/16" wide lengthwise slit is added beginning 0.6" from the lower end; slit length is about 0.6". My arbor is 1/4" drill rod 3" long but could be slightly longer if more then 5/8" drilling depth is desired. A JT-0 taper is added to the lower end of the arbor, cut by carefully setting the compound over. The top end of the arbor is center drilled 0.144, reaching to where the knurled handle will be, i.e. about 2.3". Cross drill slightly above this for a pin to hold the lower end of the spring - I used a 0.042 bit. Slit the arbor from 0.200 below the top end for the desired travel plus 0.65". Make a little top hat with an OD couple thou less than the OD of the body; turn the narrow part to fit into the body, slit the narrow section as shown in the picture and cross drill for a pin to hold the top end of the spring.

A good drill bit sharpener will save you a lot of time and frustration. If your drill bits are blunt, then they’re no longer as effective as they used to be, and the quality of your work will suffer. It could take you twice as long to get the job done.I met Rodger Young at Cabin Fever 2012 where I displayed and demonstrated my 4 facet sharpener. Rodger had just begun construction at that time and was interested in seeing the unit in action as well as discussing various points in its construction. Less than 5 weeks later it's complete - fast work considering the time it takes to get collets from China. Replace the grinding wheels when they are losing their efficiency. On a Drill Doctor, this is around every 200 uses, while a larger wheel on a grinder will usually last much longer. If the wheel on your grinder looks worn smooth or one side has worn down more than the other, making it unevenly balanced, it should be replaced. Alan Grimes fixed the grinder to the base and made the overall table assembly movable, a different method of aligning the wheel to the trunnion center. He reports excellent results with 6 facet drills. The woodwork on the grinder base and alignment jig are very nicely done making this unit a showpiece.

While this is a smaller model of the Drill Doctor DD750X and the Drill Doctor DD500X, it is a great option for beginners and homeowners who primarily use standard drill bits for DIY projects. Sharpening and maintaining your tools is a fantastic way to save time and money that you might have spent replacing blunt or damaged tools like drill bits. Although there are several different methods to accomplish this, the result is the same. Why we like it: This sharpener is specialized for getting exactly the right angle on any drill bit you might own, no matter the size, material, or purpose.The prototype used a 3.5"/90mm D11V9 wheel. Inexpensive D11V9 diamond wheels are more common in slightly larger sizes, 3.75" and 100mm (e.g. see Shars). To accommodate these slightly larger wheels, increase the height of the table supports by half of the diameter increase. E.g to use a 4"/100mm wheel increase the height from 2.375" to 2.625". The wheel should clear the traverse table by 1/8" or slightly more. If the optional point splitter will be used with a larger wheel, the traverse table may need to be a bit longer also... Drilling a hole to accurate size is best done by drilling one size under and then removing the small amount of material remaining with the final size drill. Using a drill with SPAs works well for the final pass, cutting to size and leaving an almost reamed finish. When hole finish is important, stop the drill prior to withdrawing it. For really accurate hole size drill a few thou under and ream to finished size (assuming you have the needed reamer). One issue I've had with SPAs is they don't work well in aluminum bronze bearing material, where regular drills work fine. While the Work Sharp is marketed as a knife sharpener, it is essentially just a small benchtop belt grinder and works the same way as other grinders like the DEWALT Bench Grinder and the WEN 4276 Bench Grinder. Grinders are multifunctional sharpeners making them a fantastic option for those who want to maintain a variety of tools. To give you even more information, we’ve included a comprehensive buying guide on the best drill bit sharpeners so that you’re aware of the different features you can choose from! This will help you to make a better buying decision. View the Best Drill Bit Sharpener, Below.