shortening drill bits

[Ray Newman]

The pilot hole drill bits for my wood screw counter sinks are in bad shape: dull & one has a flat point from when it was dropped.

The bits are held in place by set screws so depth of the pilot hole is adjustable to the length of the screw.

Problem: the drill bits are only 2 1/4 - 2 3/8" inches long. It is obvious that they were cut from longer bits.

Finding the correct dia. bits for replacements is the easy part. But how do cut them to a shorter length? Aren't drill bits hardened?? Never tried to cut one, but I'm some what adept @ breaking them....

[Paul Atkins]

Why not just sharpen them? If they are adjustable, why do you need to cut them off? Are these the tapered bits? I know,too many questions. Anyway if you need to cut them off use a die grinder with a cutoff wheel on the top end so you won't have to sharpen them.

[Dewey Torres]

You can hack these off easy with a Dremel tool and a metal cutter wheel.

I will also tell you that by the time you did that you could buy these:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=280540-68081-80277&lpage=none&semsite=yssp&sembrand=n&semcatg=Unassigned&semsubcatg=111408&semkeyword=replacement+countersink+drill+bits

or

http://www.toolbarn.com/category/countersink/

or

http://www.amazon.com/DeWalt-DW2537-Countersink-64-Inch-Replacement/dp/B0000225P0


You did not specify the exact type of countersink you have so a posted a few options.

Lastly,
For the ultimate low tech option:
1)Drill a hole using the bit you plan to use 1" (or so) down into a piece of scrap.
2)Using a hacksaw, carefully saw a kerf down to your drilled hole.
3)Insert the bit into the hole and lining it up with the saw kerf you just made where you want the cut.
4) put a "c" clamp over one of the sides of the inserted bit (not to interfere with the kerf) and clamp tightly.
5) put the scrap piece in your vise
6)Make the cut though the bit with the hacksaw.

It should turn out close to perfect.

Good luck!

[Chuck Tringo]

2 Words....Drill Doctor....:D

[Dave Verstraete]

If you have a bench grinder, you can use the corner of the wheel to "cut" it shorter. Of course you could always just "sharpen" it shorter. Don't get it too hot when doing this. It tends to make the fingers that are touching it pretty warm.