Drill Bit Sharpener Recommendations?

[David Walser]

I'm looking for recommendations for drill bit sharpeners. For the most part, I've treated drill bits like sandpaper. When they get dull, I throw them out. While I can sharpen them freehand, I don't do it often enough to get consistent results. (The same is true when I sharpen my woodturning tools. I can sharpen them freehand, but I prefer to use a jig.) General Tools makes an inexpensive jig; Tormek makes an expensive one. And, of course, there are several electric sharpeners available at price points from less than $50 to more than $300. Any recommendations?

As a bonus, it would be great to find someway to sharpen brad point bits.

[Bill Howatt]

I'm probably close to you in treating drill bits but a few years ago I bought a Drill Doctor (not the top model) and while it seemed somewhat complicated reading the instructions it really wasn't too bad at all once you did the first one. I can't say I use it as often as I could or should but it certainly does sharpen the bits. From what I see, it does handle brad points but it might be model specific.

[Roger Feeley]

BIll,
I don’t see support anywhere on either the Darex or Drilldoctor web sites. Could you be thinking of split points?

[Cameron Wood]

A friend speaks highly of his Drill Doctor unit- I haven't used it.

I sharpen free-hand, which often takes a matter of seconds. In construction, the use of hardened screws has lead to more dull drill bits and more need for sharpening. I've taken to bringing a small bench grinder to jobsites.

Brad point bits can be produced on the corner of the bench grinder wheel.


516455

[George Yetka]

My father received a drill doctor as a gift 30 years ago. He passed 3 years ago and I got the drill doctor. I have yet to open the box. My thought was I would start dumping dull bits in a box and when there were a bunch in there I would break it out. But over the past 10 years ive broken bits but have yet to dull any at home. At work I have but I just dumped them

[Bruce Page]

I received a Drill Doctor as a Christmas gift many years ago. While I learned how to freehand sharpen as an apprentice, the DD does do a very good job.

[Cameron Wood]

I just acquired a bunch of stuff including drill bits.
Sharpened 40 or so in about 15 minutes. the big ones- up to 5/8", were in rough shape, and got a preliminary pass. They will get a more precise sharpening with a gauge before any use.
Drilling wood is forgiving, but for metal the clearance angle has to be pretty accurate.

516457

[Richard Coers]

Another positive review on the Drill Doctor for standard twist drill bits. That is if what David is talking about. This gal sure makes the JoolTool look like the machine for brad points! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwn4CS74KnQ&t=90s

[Bill Howatt]

BIll,
I don’t see support anywhere on either the Darex or Drilldoctor web sites. Could you be thinking of split points?

I was looking at what a general Google inquiry brought up. I didn't see anything specific about brad points on the site either/

[Doug Garson]

Another + for the Drill Doctor. While It feels kinda cheap it does a good job. I have the entry level model 350 and as far as I know it just does twist drills, don't know if any of the models do brad point or split point bits.

[Clint Baxter]

I have a Drill Doctor, (given to me), and it works well. It does a good job on regular twist bits and split point bits, but doesn't have the capability to do brad-points bits. It uses a diamond wheel and as such can sharpen cobalt bits as well. Relatively simple to operate.

Clint

[mike stenson]

I also have a drill doctor. I've been able to sharpen drill bits on a grinder since I was a kid (thanks grandpa), but I still end up using the drill doctor for regular twist bits. Because it works, and it's consistent.

[Frederick Skelly]

I bought a drill doctor 5 years ago. It works well and is worth the $100 I paid for it.

[Robert Hayward]

I have a Drill Doctor that I have used for quite a few years. Works well. A year ago or so I bought one of these. (https://www.vevor.com/end-mill-sharpener-c_10118/end-mill-grinder-drill-bit-sharpener-mr-13b-sharpening-grinding-machine-3-13mm-p_010659823453) No comparison for the few I have sharpened on it so far.

I believe Grizzly has a similar one for a few dollars less.

[Doug Garson]

I have a Drill Doctor that I have used for quite a few years. Works well. A year ago or so I bought one of these. (https://www.vevor.com/end-mill-sharpener-c_10118/end-mill-grinder-drill-bit-sharpener-mr-13b-sharpening-grinding-machine-3-13mm-p_010659823453) No comparison for the few I have sharpened on it so far.

I believe Grizzly has a similar one for a few dollars less.

No comparison is kinda vague, do you mean way better or way worse?:confused:

[Robert Hayward]

No comparison is kinda vague, do you mean way better or way worse?:confused:

Way better.

[Thomas McClurg]

I'll add my recommendation for Drill Doctor. I was sent one for free to do a review many years ago. It has served me well. The model I've got can also do split points - but I'm not sure every model does.

[Patty Hann]

Another happy Drill Doctor owner :)... bought the 500X around 2018.
Last time I used it was only a few months ago...end of 2023.

[Dave Sabo]

Drill Dr. no question.

That said, my ability to find deals on drill bits that are on sale or close out makes it cheaper than the cost of the drill dr.

[Steven O Smith]

I bought the Drill Doctor DD750 when they first came out. It was pretty frustrating, some drill bits sharpened nicely, some took a lot of adjusting settings. I read that the DD750X was a lot better, and it is, but still a fair amount of frustration. Then I found this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLqHoBEZbB8

It is now easy to make bits nice and sharp.
I think the problem is that the machine holds the drill bits by the helix, and this varies in shape from one manufacturer to another.

[David Walser]

Thanks, everyone! Several of you have had good experience with one or more of the Drill Doctor models. I'm intrigued by the Grizzly T34004 Drill Bit Sharpener (and the clones from other sellers). But, with shipping, those sharpeners cost twice as much (or more) as the top-of-the-line model from Drill Doctor.

I really appreciate the input.

[Joe Delfino]

I also recommend the Drill Doctor.
I was gifted a tool box full of drill bits a few years back form a family member. They had a bad experience with some home renovations and the guy left it behind.
I couldn't think of a better excuse to buy a Drill Doctor which had already been on my radar. I sharpened every bit in that box which almost made the Drill Doctor almost a freebee in my mind. I think it did a great job. It's one of those things you won't use everyday but I pulled it out a couple days ago to hit a few bits I use regularly and glad I had it.

[Dave Lynch]

You don’t need a drill doctor, I actually acquired one and don’t use it.
sharpening a drill with a wheel grinder and a drill gage is the way to go, easy peasy.hold the bit horizontal and the cutting edge horizontal to the face of the stone. Touch the dit to the grinding wheel and lift up following the face of the stone. You are addressing the stone slightly above center to peal material back from behind the cutting edge. Rotate to the other cutting edge and repeat. The drill gage is used to check the angle of the cutting edge and also the length of the cutting edge. The length of both cutting edges need to be equal. The angle should match the drill gage. The loft behind the cutting edge should be consistent from one side to the orher . Important to drop away from the cutter.

[Tom M King]

Sorry that I can't make a recommendation. I have a Drill Doctor that I bought probably 35 or 40 years ago, still in the Silverfish eaten unopened box. I also inherited a yellow Darex, and a Black Diamond with all the collets. I've never used any of them. I'm always too pushed up to do a job to even take time to learn how to operate them and toss little ones or sharpen bigger ones by hand and eye with a bench grinder. Someday I might build a big enough shop to be able to use everything, but I'm too busy.