How to Sharpen a Drill Bit Like a Pro

Drill bits are the small metal pieces we attach to a rotating power drill in order to pierce through various materials. The drill bits rotate when powered by the drill which gives axial force to create various hole types and of different sizes. As drill bits cut through various substances such as wood or metal, they are subject to wear and tear. Thus, it is important that you know how to sharpen a drill bit to maintain consistency in punching holes.

Drill bit sizes usually follow the fractional inch and the metric system. A drill bit size chart is referred to on the various sizes of drill bits. Knowing what drill bit size to use depend on the width of the feeler gauge, the mirror diameter and the bit diameter. The drill bit sizes determine the size of the diameter of the hole they punch. In the US, most still use the fractional inch drill bit size.

Apart from their sizes, drill bits may also be classified by their make or material. Carbon steel drill bits are usually cheaper than cobalt steel. Other widely used materials for drill bits are the steel and stainless steel. Drill bits are sometimes coated with ferrous oxide and black oxide. There are also the high quality titanium nitride coated twist bits which boasts of superior performance.

Drill bits are also classified by their “lips” or the drill bits’ cutting edges and the shape of the tip.

Drill bits are oftentimes sold in stores by sets, together with the power drill. The type of drill bit tip you will need will depend on the purpose and the material to which you will use your drill bit for.

Here are some drill bit types which are classified according to the drill you will use.

For metal drills, here are some of the appropriate drill bits:

• Twist drill bits are the most common type or the universal bits. Twist drills use these types of bits which make holes for both wood and metal surfaces. A sub type of metal twist drill bits include the left hand drill.
• Step drill bits are used to drill holes in metals. Some of the materials which require step drill bits are brass, copper and aluminum.
• Center drill bits are mostly used in to start holes for larger drill bits or to mount a hole between centers.
• Core drill bits enlarge existing holes and its make is usually solid. Core drill bits are very similar to reamers because they have no means to start their own hole. A popular example of core drill bit is the diamond core drill bit.
• Indexable drill bits are the most expensive type of drill bit and are used in high precision production equipment as they cut holes quickly.

Here are some drill bit types for wood surfaces:

• Bullet point twist type drill bits are used in making clean holes.
• Spur point drill bits or dowel drill bits are used in drilling wooden dowel panels or soft plastic.
• The flat style bit is used for cutting large holes in wood material. This type of drill bit requires the use of a powerful motor drill especially when using its large size.
• Wood auger bits are best used when using hand-operated braces to punch deep holes into wood.
• Spoon bits are the traditional types of drill bits which are mostly used by chairmakers. These types of drill bits cannot be used with a power drill.
• Forstner flange bits, or simply Forstner bits, can cut through any type of wood grain.
• Gimlet bit is a tool in itself as it can bore small holes by twisting with the hand to give it power.
• Smaller types of drill bits are the tiny spade bits. These drill bits are used to drill rough holes in wood.

Drill bits for other materials and surfaces:

• Glass drill bits are used in drilling through glass surfaces and tiles.
• Installer drill bits are used wherein electrical wires are allowed to the drilled holes.
• Diamond drill bits are used to drill into substances and materials which are more complex to drill holes into. Some examples of these materials include porcelain, stone, ceramics, and glass panels. Diamond drill bits are considered the hardest drill bits because of its capabilities to pierce through the toughest materials.
• Tricone drill bits are also called oilfield drill bits because they are used in well drilling and mechanical drilling activities in the oil field. Oilfield drill pipes are used to drill holes for these industrial purposes.

So whether you have the core drill, spur drill, spotting drill, carbide drill, jobber drill or the power drill, there are specific drill bits which will cater to your needs.

How to sharpen a drill bit

Now that we know what a drill bit is and its different types, it is important that we know how to keep our drill bits well maintained.  Since drill bits are worn out by usage, it needs to be sharpened so that it can produce consistent and quality holes. When a drill bit becomes dull, there is a need for higher pressure and it may produce holes less than what is expected.

Here are some equipment we can use on how to sharpen a drill bit:

• Drill bit sharpener

This would be the easiest in ensuring that your drill bits are sharpened properly since this equipment will come with step by step instructions to sharpen your drill bits.

• Bench grinder

A bench grinder is type of bench top machine which is actually used to drive abrasive wheels. This can also be used to sharpen drill bits but it should depend on the on the grade of the grinding wheel. Hold the cutting edges parallel to the grinder and roll the bit clockwise. It is very important that you wear eye protection gear when using bench grinders in sharpening drill bits. Also equally important would be the use of sharpening jig as holding the drill bit with your bare hands is a dangerous practice.

• Stones

Twist drill bits such as the Forstner bits are sharpened by the use of oilstone or whetstone. You just rub the drill bit onto the oilstone by creating friction and after a while, your drill bit should be as good as new.