Drill sharpeners, are they worth the $

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I have seriously considered the high end Drill Doctor, but I would likely only use it for my pen turning sized bits, but it will only do 118 or 135 degree point angles but not my 90-degree bits (made specifically for drilling plastics). I had a guy try to teach me how to free hand sharpen bits back in 1978 but I just could never get the angles right - I ground away almost an entire drill bit trying to get it right, but just couldn't get it.

Here is the Project Farm YouTube Drill Bit Sharpener testing that made me go the direction of the Drill Doctor.

Of course there is a Shars sharpener that will do 90 degree bits up to 1/2 inch, but it costs around $500. For the amount of work I do, I can buy a lot of new, sharp drill bits for $500.

Dave
 
I use mine constantly and you'll save money in the long run. Eventually the bit will get to where it won't hold an edge anymore and you will have to replace the bit. I'd recommend it for sure
 
I have a drill doctor and the few times I've used it works well. I just always thought the grinding wheel was a bit too coarse. I'd like to find a finer grind wheel.
Hand sharpening takes some finesse for sure but if you get to the bits before they are too far gone then you can use a light touch to touch them up. You do need to keep the point in the center of the bit which can be off center if you grind too much off one side.
 
I have a Drill Doctor and like it. You have to follow the directions closely.

I have been tempted by the Vevor sharpener. MrPete222 has video of the 2 different models of the lowest vevor sharpeners. Similar model numbers 13A and 13B. They have different features though.
 
I've been tempted, but I've resisted so far.

I find that I can easily 'tune up' the cutting edge of larger bits using a diamond paddle. I have occasionally sharpened a bit on a grinder, but that's a skill that I never really aquired. Smaller bits can't be sharpened, but they are easily and cheaply replaceable. And I have a set of bits that I acquired randomly - some purchased, some inherited, some who knows - that I reserve for metal and they are the ones that get the most wear and are more likely to need sharpening.
 
You asked, Is it worth the $?

A drill bit costs between $5 - $10, brand new.
Truthfully speaking, I haven't had to replace a drill bit in the 30 or so years I've been woodworking due to being too dull to work properly.

Is a Drill Doctor (or a Vevor at twice the price) worth the money? Looking at the math and the need, I would say no. Better to watch some videos and/or have someone show you how to sharpen by hand. Proficiency comes quickly, expertise come with lots of practice. Then if you decide you just cant get how to do it, sit down and determine cost/use(need).

With that being said, I have used my Drill Doctor about as many times as I can count on one hand and those few times were literally to see how it works. As a machinist and machine operator in machine shops, I've used the dedicated floor standing drill shaper/sharpeners. I can say that it (Drill Doctor) works and works well enough to get the job done.
Whether you want to justify the cost, that's up to you once you sit down and actually cost out the project.
 
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I'm happy with my Drill Doctor 750X. As @egnald rightly says, it can't do a 90 Degree grind - but I can still drill plastics with the bits I sharpen at 118, perhaps not as smoothly as 90.

(I keep meaning to experiment with squaring off the cutting edges so the bit functions more like a scraper, I read to do that on a machinists' forum.)
 
I learned to sharpen drill bits by hand many years ago. I have tried a Drill Doctor but I am still sharpening bits by hand today.
 
I got a Drill Doctor for Xmas 20 years ago. It sat in a drawer for the first 10 of those. I finally watched a youtube and started using it. It is helpful, but could I live without it? Probably....I use it about twice a year now. I am glad I have it tho...
 
Drill Doctor 750 here and it has been quite worth it. I did get it for $50 on Facebook Marketplace, though. The guy had never used it and it definitely looked brand new.

Bits aren't that expensive, but if you always want a sharp one, you have to keep a spare on hand, too. I use mine fairly often.
 
Because we make handcrafted fountain pens we rely on drills quite heavily and some of them are on the expensive end. One of the drill bits we are about to replace is $60, so probably for us a sharpener would pay for itself.
 
Hippie3180 said:
Because we make handcrafted fountain pens we rely on drills quite heavily and some of them are on the expensive end. One of the drill bits we are about to replace is $60, so probably for us a sharpener would pay for itself.
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Hi Michele. Now you have me really curious. What drill are you using that is $60?
 
So it appears there was a communication issue with the Mr. and now the drill bit in question isn't $60. 😂 So now, if he goes with a carbide drill they are even more than $60. Idk? 🤦‍♀️

As you know, there are a host of drill bits to make handcrafted pens, many of ours we've had since we started over a year ago. Trying to figure out the cost effectiveness of systematically buying new or sharpening.
 
sorcerertd said:
Bits aren't that expensive, but if you always want a sharp one, you have to keep a spare on hand, too. I use mine fairly often.
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That brushes on the real the factor for me. Replacement drill bits are cheap - until you factor the time involved in going out and getting one in the middle of a project.
 
Hippie3180 said:
So it appears there was a communication issue with the Mr. and now the drill bit in question isn't $60. 😂 So now, if he goes with a carbide drill they are even more than $60. Idk? 🤦‍♀️

As you know, there are a host of drill bits to make handcrafted pens, many of ours we've had since we started over a year ago. Trying to figure out the cost effectiveness of systematically buying new or sharpening.
Click to expand...
Since the Drill Doctor uses a diamond sharpening wheel it technically should be able to sharpen even carbide bits; however, tungsten carbide dust especially if it is combined with cobalt or nickel can cause lung problems and repeated exposure can actually lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Of course other metals often used in conjunction with carbide like cadmium, chromium, cobalt, and nickel can also pose health risks when inhaled as dust. In our company's machine shop we required respirators for anyone grinding carbide.

Carbide is so hard however, that I think it would stay sharp a long - long time when drilling pen blank materials. It is more likely needed to be sharpened because it gets chipped or broken rather than because it gets dull. In addition to being very very hard, it is also notoriously brittle.

Dave
 
I got a Dd750 and a Vevor , basically you end up saving blunt bits until it's worth having a session to sort them.

Is it worth it ? Depends , as they say . I have engineering drills in some odd sizes and half way through a project waiting cos drills blunt / broken and it's a holiday , post takes time , local stores run out ….etc got on my nerves .

For common sizes buy quality and have a spare but to sort it out there and then … yes it's worth it !
 
If you can learn to sharpen by hand and eye, then awesome! Drill doctor 750 will get them sharp too. I learned both ways, and the drill doctor still has a learning curve. It is a time saver though!!!
 
I have used a Drill Doctor 750 for many years also. Well worth it. If you only have a few bits and don't use them often, maybe not. But if you have enough that you get tired of buying new ones, by all means get a DD750. It is great having a sharp bit, and being able to sharpen a bit quicker than going out to buy another bit.
 
I received a Drill Doctor 25 years ago, and have used it quite a bit on cheaper drill bits that dull easily. A couple years ago I took Rick Herrell's advice and purchased a set of Jobber Length drill bits from Titan USA and have found them to be excellent.
 
I have a DD750 and so many drill bits I can't count them. I have not used it as many times as I need to, but it works great. It only takes a minute or so total to sharpen a bit after you do it as few times. One item on my to do list is "sharpen 1000 drill bits". Recommend the drill dr. over buying new.
I have seen them on CL here for less than half price.

Mike
 
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