Subject: Re: drill bits

From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 1996 15:52:41 -0600

>> they worth $50 or whatever they cost? I don't go through a lot of bits but
>> it would be great to sharpen them up faster.
>>

>I'm one of the poor suckers who bought a sharpener from Northern.
>Don't bother, it does a poor job of putting the wrong angles on.
>
>Darex is supposedly coming out with a 'home model' of their incredibly
>expensive sharpeners, I think it was for about $150. They have a web
>page at www.darex.com which does not show this machine, but has lots
>of other info. The 'home model' has its own page at:
>"www.drilldr.com./". This looks like a pretty nice unit-diamond wheel,
>3/32 to 3/4" bits, 118 or 135 degree, split points, etc.

I would not spend much money on any drill sharpener. For some reason
sharpening drills looks hard to some, but it's not. Just follow the angles
that are there. You have to have enough clearance behind the edge to allow
the edge to touch the work and thats about it. Too much clearance and the
edge will break down quick. Not enough clearance and the drill won't drill.
Both edges should be the same length. If you have it right you will get two
equal chips coming off.

The real trick in drill shapening is getting a drill to drill accurate
holes. There is a chart in the Machinerys Handbook showing the "probable
hole size" for a range of sizes.

This is not normally a concern in the blacksmith shop. If accurate holes
(+/-.002) are needed its best to drill undersized holes, then ream (or
bore) to size.

I would be lost without my Machinerys Handbook. Look for old copies in used
book stores. Most of the info doesn't change. If you want a new one you can
get it from J&L Industrial Supply (and others) for $75.00. 1-800-521-9520.

Bob

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From: "Steven O. Smith" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 96 16:26:11 MDT

> Both edges should be the same length. If you have it right you will get two

I have repeatedly tried sharpening by hand, with poor to passable
results. I would restate your second sentence:

	For some reason, sharpening drills is easy for some folks.

--
Steven O. Smith
[email-masked]