Sharpen Your Drill Bits

Step 19 Placing the bit against the block

Place a bit into the "V" groove on the back face of the block. Place the block into a vise so the end of the bit rests on top of and against the jaws and so that it just barely extends above the angled surface of the block. Turn the bit so the leading edge of the first half follows the guide line. Use a "C" clamp to hold the bit in place. Put some oil on a small handstone, like those used for sharpening fishhooks. Stroke along the angled surface of the block so the bit is being sharpened at the same time. When the stone is no longer cutting on the bit, turn it half of a turn and sharpen the other side. Inspect the bit with a magnifying glass, if necessary.

Comments

[Kevanf1]

I love this ible, well done. I have one of the drill sharpeners but still have to remove it from the box....... When I get time.

The only thing I would add to your excellent tutorial is that different metals actually need different angles to be ground onto the cutting edges of the drill bits. A bit that will cut steel is not so good for brass or copper, for example. I don't know if the sharpener takes this into account?

Take care.

Kevan

[Phil B]

Thank you for your appreciation. One reason I do most of my Instructables is to document ideas and projects for future reference and for sharing. But, another is to inspire people like yourself who have a drill sharpening jig like this, but have not taken it out of the box yet. Just about all of my drilling is either in wood or mild steel. So, 59 degrees works for my needs. But, if you look closely at the photo in step 3 you can see the bumps for setting the jig to other angles commonly used for different bit needs. I highlighted the 59 degree bump with a permanent marker for the purposes of that photo.

[Kevanf1]

He, he, can't you just tell that I haven't taken my sharpener out of the box..... I would have noticed those other degree stops otherwise.

Actually, the only reason it is still in the box is because my drill bench is not very god surface wise. I need to reface it to make sure the grinder is sitting perfectly level all round. My bench drill is the only truly flat spot on the whole bench. I just got too carried away in making my other main workbench. Actually, it's a shame I didn't document that as it would have made a fantastic 'ible'. The bench is strong and would easily take the weight of about 3 or possibly even 4 big V8 engines. Yet, it is still light in weight (relatively) and made easily of wood. Anyway, this is going way off the subject of your excellent ible so I apologise.

Take care.

Kevan