They’re far less expensive than a benchtop model, and you can achieve the same angles. If you already own a bench grinder, an attachment may be the best route to go. You’ll find that they do a decent job, and if you’re not drilling precision holes, they’ll grind a useful edge. If you’re not going through bits constantly, it may be useful to purchase an inexpensive, drill-powered sharpener to put an edge on your bits. Tips for Buying and Using Best Drill Bit Sharpenerĭrill bits aren’t cheap, but neither are sharpeners. There is some room for mistakes here as they’re not incredibly accurate, but they do an excellent job if you’re in a pinch. Simply chuck the grinding stone’s spindle into the drill, and place your bit in the appropriate groove, and you’ll be back to cutting in no time.
Once you check them, the grinder attachments are also quick and accurate.ĭrill-powered sharpeners are great in a pinch, or if you’re on a job site and need to sharpen a bit. A combination square will most likely do the trick.
Grinder attachments can become misaligned with your grinder, so it’s essential to check for accuracy before you begin. The best benchtop sharpeners are quick and accurate, leaving little room for error. Plug-in electric powered sharpeners come in benchtop sharpeners and adapters for bench grinders. There are two popular power sources for sharpening your drill bits plug-in electric and drill-powered (which may be electric or battery). Standard angles are between 118 and 135 degrees, so look for a sharpener that allows you to switch between the two for the best versatility. It’s better to have a sharpener that you can adjust to the drill bit. While you can sharpen every drill bit to one consistent angle, certain styles of bits work best at specific angles. Bits for metal have flatter angles, allowing them to take off smaller bits at a time without overheating or chipping the bit. Bits reserved for wood have aggressive cutting edges to allow them to get through the material quickly. Various types of drill bits use differently-angled cutting edges at their points. Or, purchase a bench grinder jig that you can set up with a diamond grinder wheel. If you keep carbide bits on hand, look for a sharpener that comes with diamond wheels. Carbide is extremely hard and requires a diamond wheel to sharpen correctly. If you purchase high-end carbide drill bits, then a standard grinding wheel won’t work. These bits usually consist of steel or cobalt, and standard grinding wheels will sharpen them with ease. For most homeowners, a standard drill bit sharpener will accommodate most of the bits in your workshop. Materialįinding a drill bit sharpener that works with your drill bits of choice is important. Instead, keeping one of the best drill bit sharpeners on hand will allow you to put a quick edge on a bit as small as 3/32-inch. While these bits are rarely expensive (depending on the material), they dull quickly and lose their performance right away. You should also look for a sharpener that can handle your smaller bits. Bits over 1/2-inch are expensive, so make sure that your sharpener can handle them. While almost all sharpeners can handle small to mid-range bits, only certain models can handle the big stuff. Purchasing a drill bit sharpener that can handle all of the bits you commonly use should be a priority. Not all models have the same capabilities or uses, so you need to be sure the one you choose will get the job done. Let’s get to the point there are some things you need to know before shopping for the best drill bit sharpener. Photo: What to Consider When Buying the Best Drill Bit Sharpener