How to Sharpen a Drill Bit by Hand

Drill bits come in just about every size, shape and style imaginable and are designed to do many different types of jobs. While using the right drill bit for the job is definitely a necessity, you can get the performance out of your bits by making sure that you keep them sharp and in good condition.

High quality drill bits are expensive and it is worth taking the time and effort to keep them in the best shape possible. If you take good care of them they will last for many years, giving you a good return on investment.

The first step toward keeping your drill bits sharp starts with proper storage. If you just toss them into a tool box they can rattle around, bumping and scraping against other items in the tool box. Over time this can cause them to dull - or worse - to break.

To avoid this, store them in a case specifically designed to hold drill bits. Drill bit cases have individual compartments that the bits can snap into, holding them securely in place and helping to protect them from damage. As an added benefit to properly storing your drill bits, having them all nicely put away in a tidy container makes finding the right bit for the job fast and easy. No more digging around for hours in the toolbox trying to find the right bit.

To keep drill bits working their best you'll most likely need to sharpen them on occasion. It is better to sharpen them as part of a regular maintenance routine rather than waiting until they become dull. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, if you allow the drill bit to become too dull it will be nearly impossible to match the correct angle of the cutting edge. Secondly, if you allow a bit to become too dull it can damage the material that you are drilling into or leave rough edges.

The best way to sharpen drill bits is to go slowly and do them by hand. You can sharpen them on a machine, however, it is more difficult to maintain the proper angle on the cutting edge and the faster speed means that it is easier to make mistakes. Once part of the bit is ground away it is impossible to get it back, so your best bet is to proceed with caution and go slowly.

Many styles of bits can be sharped on a grinding stone with oil. Just gently rub the sharp edge of the bit in a circular motion on the stone making sure that you maintain the proper, original angle.

While a grinding stone will work for some bit styles, other styles take a little bit more creativity to sharpen. You may need to use a flat file to reach all the particular angles and edges of a bit that need sharpening. Again, go slowly, use oil to keep it wet and always make sure you are matching the original cutting angle of the bit.

By taking care of your bits and keeping them sharp you can get a lot more life out of them and keep them working well for years. When it comes to how to sharpen a drill bit, your best bet is to go slowly and sharpen them by hand, making sure to always keep them wet with oil while sharpening and taking care to maintain the correct cutting angle on the bit.