Sharpen your drill bits by hand | A quick how to.

[@themusicman4728]

This is how an apprentice toolmaker is taught how to sharpen drill bits, along with thinning the point of larger bits for drilling without a pilot hole, flattening the leading edge for cutting brass and a host of other techniques. Don't waste your time with all those other videos - ie sharpen drill in 5 seconds with some soppy gadget. This is a great demonstration.

[@raymondmotyka3676]

Richard , great easy way to touch up drill bits. No fuss with all the technical hoopla. I've been doing it this way since being taught by a master toolmaker. Thanks again and great job .

[@HueyLionsheart]

Great tip with the nuts. 👍 As engineering students we were given a massive box of drills on our first day in the workshop....and our first two 'projects' were a drill angle gauge followed by a drill drift. My lecturer showed us how to sharpen a drill freehand and told us to practice every time we had nothing to do and that when that box was empty we could then claim to be able to sharpen drills. He checked every drill we sharpened and chucked most back into the box..🤣 After a few weeks though we soon emptied those boxes! The method we were taught is slightly different, I have the drill angled the opposite way and grind into the blade, rotating clockwise and upwards.👍😁

[@BrainFizz]

I was taught to sharpen “the other side first”, but it always feels weird to me, I find it more comfortable to Hold out to the right, being careful rot to grind a heel lower than the cutting edge.

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

Always talking about the nuts ; )

[@omgitsgrim2]

2 years too late. But I suppose grinding into the edge prevents ugly and unwanted metal burs?

[@HueyLionsheart]

@@omgitsgrim2 You're never to late to ask a question.... Whether anyone is on time to answer it though!!?😉🤣 Yes, I suppose it does, but I believe it was also to do with using the flute of the drill between your thumb and forefinger of the left hand as a natural guide for the drill as you rotated it clockwise on the grinder. Never forgotten that skill and still use it often.😁👍

[@nigelparker5886]

Correct!

[@richardchapman1270]

Good tip about the hex nuts - thanks!

[@cmahar3]

Thank you for a no-nonsense video that got to the main method right off the bat. I've tried an inexpensive jig, and the indent built into my grinder, but still stink at sharpening them. I'll try your way next.

[@barispeace]

I have to thank you. With a little experience on drill bit sharpening -having about knife sharpening- i sharpened my drill bits and it worked. Even surprisingle it drilled hole on 3mm pipe faster than brand new bit. Thanks a lot really. 👍👍👏👏

[@lawrencefoster6739]

Now this is hands on simplicity thank you

[@petersipp5247]

Right to mention safety glasses ! I start with the leading edge. I pay close attention so the leading edge is "higher" than the rest of the bit. I push after the leading edge is not on the stone...then it is higher than the rest. I also count how many times each side is sharpened. Then the point stays in the center. It takes practice...it's very satisfying to finally learn this skill. Watching each side have metal chips come out.

[@Stellarffxi]

Thank you for making a short video showing this!

[@jlk819]

Great video. Short, sweet, to the point and informative. Rare these days

[@BrainFizz]

Glad you liked it!

[@SKKrafts]

Nice little video Richard. I spent 6 months sharpening drill bits when I started my engineering apprenticeship. I hated it but so glad I learnt. Nice sharing skills with others mate.

[@BrainFizz]

It always liken it to learning to horse ride...... you spend ages just bouncing up and down, getting hurt and hating it, until one time you realise that your just doing it right and it’s pretty easy after all!🤣 Definitely a skill worth having!

[@chrisgarrett166]

Pretty much how I remember being taught, so happy! Great tip with the nuts for angle!

[@ubernate860]

Great video, this is exactly how an old timer taught me long ago

[@Zzztan999]

Very good instruction. Make my life much easier.

[@celisewillis]

Thank you!!! I didn't even know you could sharpen these. I used a whet stone, and they came out great 👍

[@wyliecoyote1]

Adjusting the cutting angle for different material, smart thinking.👍

[@joecampbell9708]

So simple well done well done you've got a new subscriber

[@TheGbab]

Liked your video. I learned to sharpen bits with the cutting edge facing up, not down as you show. I was told the heat is less likely to burn the edge.

[@BrainFizz]

Cool

[@freestyla101]

Less likely to round over the tip as well.

[@RalfyCustoms]

Less chance of a burr too

[@henrywinchester9372]

First video I found actually explaining it thankyou

[@rogermarsh9806]

I was taught to sharpen drills anti clockwise but it does not really matter unless you are grinding a three point drill for going through very thin metal. One should always grind a neutral tip for cutting brass alloys to stop it being grabbed by the metal. Another tip for checking the flanks are the same length is to hold the drill up to the light and cup your hand above it to shade it and give a clearer profile. My father started me grinding drills in his factory when I was thirteen , the three pointers were drilling compressed plywood.

[@JohnMadeit]

I'm liking these quick tip videos

[@BrainFizz]

Thanks, there’s plenty in the pipeline... videos are currently going out daily!

[@JohnMadeit]

@@BrainFizz I've just managed 1 in 7 months, daily seems insane. Good luck and I look forward to the daily videos

[@BrainFizz]

Yeah, it is pretty full on..... but actually there’s so much more I’m learning so much more about lots of other aspects too!👍

[@lafamillecarrington]

You made that look very easy!

[@BrainFizz]

A little practice and you’ll soon have it down…. It’s mostly muscle memory, but it’s quick to learn and even quicker to Implement once you’ve had a bit of practice 👌

[@kanishkawijayananda6957]

great job

[@alanscannell]

Great skill to have I've always sharpened my own learnt to do it during my apprenticeship. Nowadays people just chuck em when blunt.

[@BrainFizz]

So few people seem to learn it now as apprentices..... probably because it was. Easier to just buy them. This of course means there’s an abundance of blunt bits, and people who don’t know what to do with them!

[@alanscannell]

@@BrainFizz they can give them all to us will save buying any 😉 I used to sharpen bits that snapped in 2 when I worked in the shipyard. It was a matter of wait till they got some or get the job done.

[@alanscannell]

@@BrainFizz they can give them all to us will save buying any 😉 I used to sharpen bits that snapped in 2 when I worked in the shipyard. It was a matter of wait till they got some or get the job done.

[@BrainFizz]

I do that regularly, particularly for Bits with 1/4”hex ends, or specific diameter for other quick release bits and counter sinks........the ones that always cost way more than they should!😂😂

[@alanscannell]

@@BrainFizz ah yea all the Penny's count 😉

[@InsideAlan]

Thanks Richard, as a Yorkshireman I obviously inherited every frugal technique from my father but this is one he didn't use!

[@BrainFizz]

It’s a very good thing to practice, particurly if you have good quality odd size drill bits that are fairly expensive to replace.

[@tomshebuski5664]

No mention of the type of grinding wheel to use? Mine seems much too corse for sharpening bits. I end up chipping the bit and ruining it.

[@nugienazrilchannel]

Thank for sharing Mr

[@TonyPerry-c5o]

Loved the nuts mate, thank you!

[@TheWoodgineer]

Lol I see now where the "how do I" footage will be used - great video as always bud! :)

[@BrainFizz]

Thanks! There should be enough clips to stretch the month.

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

Super helpful, thanks!

[@zenn9371]

dude did you go in to the woods find the perfect spot you liked set up a camera and i think mic (because of the great sound) to only pop up behind a logg and say "drill bit"? because if so you ar a legend my good man

[@newageguitar]

Awesome and so simple, great video and thank you mate:)))

[@togetherwemake8048]

Thank you

[@BrainFizz]

No problem!👍

[@ramchillarege1658]

Thanks !

[@DaveTheWoodBarber]

Nice advice

[@BrainFizz]

Cheers Dave!❤️👍

[@fklcomputers]

Your the best

[@medroastt9888]

don't have the rotating tools.... can I use sand papers instead? Reply

[@BrainFizz]

I guess you could but if would take forever…..😳😩

[@dontmissthelittlethings]

I got the angle. What edge am I trying to sharpen?

[@BrainFizz]

The cutting edge… don’t round over the cutting edge at the tip or it wont make contact at the tip, and so wont cut.

[@dontmissthelittlethings]

@@BrainFizz Thanks for the reply.

[@stormyeffects4795]

What if my drill bit doesn’t have a tip anymore? Should I just use a 59* angle?

[@BrainFizz]

Just grind a new one..🤷‍♂️ For angles I don’t usually get too bogged down in them, if you look it up in the charts, different materials prefer different angles, so go with what suits you best. I’d rather have a sharp bit at the “wrong” angle, than a blunt but at the “correct” one.

[@Heather22056]

Good job 👍

[@BrainFizz]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@atomicdmt8763]

excellent! how about TIPS on SPLITTING the point?

[@andrewschannel3635]

Is a feasible to do that with a belt sander in a bench unit and if so what grit would you use?

[@BrainFizz]

You know is never thought about that before...🤔🤔🤔 but a linisher is pretty much the same deal as a grinder - see all the knife maker videos. Plus there’s machines that the turners use for sharpening the turning tools.... I’m guess OMG there’s better/more suitable belts available... however J know loads of guys who sharpen chisels on a belt sander, so I’d say “yeah, I see no reason why not?!” Be worth a go if nothing else❤️👍⚒⚒

[@danielbridgewater3444]

Excellent! Thanks!

[@BrainFizz]

You're welcome!

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

Nice video.If I'm sharpening for metal I use a homemade jig, for wood I freehand it; and I 'try' to keep wood and metal drill bits seperate.

[@BrainFizz]

That's a great idea!

[@britishbluetess]

Brilliant

[@Alad-]

Good shit mate

[@majormassenspektrometer]

So I guess it's harder for smaller drill bits. I need a lot of 3mm drill bits and I just don't bother sharpening them. I throw them away and get new ones. lol

[@BrainFizz]

That’s like saying “I travel a lot, but can’t drive, so I take the bus”….. so learn the skill and save throwing them away!🤭🤭

[@majormassenspektrometer]

@@BrainFizz Those 3mm bits are so small it's a pain.

[@BrainFizz]

@@majormassenspektrometer as is standing for a bus in the rain!🤪😉

[@fruitinspector6111]

But without any radial lift as you twist, your cutting edge will be almost the same height as the heel of the bit.

[@BrainFizz]

@@fruitinspector6111 almost, but still not. So as long as the heal clears, it will still cut.

[@stephenculen576]

You are grinding the tip backwards. The cut edge should be to the left and rotated up while tilting the shank down. This will position the cut edge tangent from the start and will not round it down. I have been sharpening drills for over 45 years and it is the only way I have found that works.

[@johnhall8455]

Basic useful stuff, but have a go at 4 facet, split point grinding…

[@BrainFizz]

Pop a video up……ill watch it.

[@rcmcguyver7561]

Can't see why you can't put a drill bit in a drill spin it in reverse at high speed and lightly touch it on a file or grinding stone to sharpen it it would be the same method as doing it by hand with a bench grinder

[@BrainFizz]

Try it and let me know how you get on. 🤣

[@rcmcguyver7561]

@@BrainFizz I will try it should work just the same as $100 Drill Doctor drill bit sharpener tool or bench grinder

[@rcmcguyver7561]

@@BrainFizz I tried it and it works good spun the drill backwards and held the drill bit against the grinding stone at an angle

[@middlesiderrider]

​@@rcmcguyver7561drill doctors are more complicated than they first seem. When I was a mechanic my boss had one and he gave me a big box of dull bits to sharpen. Took some learning to work the machine, but it does a great job. Bits have an arc to the lands, they aren't flat. Your method wouldn't give them that proper arc. They might with slightly better then when they were completely blunt, but they won't be anywhere near a proper sharpening job. Drill Doctors are expensive for a reason

[@timothym2241]

Spinning the bit will fail to create clearance behind the cutting edge. The tip of a bit isn’t conical. It slopes away from the cutting edge to create clearance. With no clearance the whole tip of the bit drags on the metal and there is no pressure on the cutting edge. That is why he rotates the bit in the video, and works on the upper half of the grindstone, which naturally removes more metal on the lower half of the bit.

[@scottkinkead6324]

When you think you've got it get a piece of steel 1 inch thich drill a hole in it then Measure it if it's oversized try again

[@nigelparker5886]

Weird way of doing it I’d say! Toolmaker/Jigborer for 20 years and sharpened more than I care to think about! You roll over the leading edge and can’t really see the backing off(as per image, whereby it would rub), too well either! You did however alter the rake a little to strengthen the cutting edge for tougher materials correctly!

[@BrainFizz]

Really! Amazing!

[@martinalarcon3108]

I had a good machine shop buddy Joe and he was trying to show me but I never grasp the concept and since the company would buy me drill bits at the drop of a hat 😮😢, I remember I bought drill doctor wich was a machine made to sharpen drill bits , what a rip off 😮😢 but that’s good know , now that I don’t have a company buying me drill bits at the drop of a hat 😮😢

[@stevenlengyel9701]

Ok I was wondering how to find the correct angle, “just use two hex nuts”. Ok got it.

[@garvielloken3929]

Nooice!

[@AHBespoke]

Now I know lol 👍

[@BrainFizz]

Ha ha!! Always a handy skill to know, particularly in today’s disposable world! ❤️❤️

[@jpwoodwork]

Yeah!!, can we have him back now LOL

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

Thought that was you popping up there : )

[@fishdisco3107]

Great video, some health & safety though, this must be the only time it’s ok for any bloke to put a drill bit between his nuts👍

[@TMxl-w5t]

But as many cheap drills bits from car boot sales etc as you can, and practice with them first, and keep going until you get good results..

[@natpo39]

Just the tip???!?

[@user-jg2nq6ll4c]

So ......... everyone need to buy a damn electric grinder-wheel now???????

[@BrainFizz]

They have hand cranked ones……

[@yblackburn6829]

Not everyone has to buy, your dad might have one or one of your friends,,,, my dad's had one for 30 years

[@Bob-gn8ph]

❤John 3,16 ❤

[@alanday5255]

Um this is NOT by hand its by grinder. By hand is with a file.

[@BrainFizz]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 with a file, good one🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BrainFizz]

@@Bobo-ox7fj Hmm, I’m sure that traffic can divert when they notice the grinder though…. But I’ll fire off and email to the KZbin search algorithm and let them know.

[@jaybob-uh8hm]

Technically this is not done by hand you are using a grinder.

[@BrainFizz]

Did you think I would just stroke it sharp?🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@jamesmaybury7452]

Definitely use a grind wheel, you can’t sharpen by hand as the title claims.

[@marian20012]

you haven't use € for letter e in the word money you used in your thumbnail...shame on you.

[@BrainFizz]

No, I used £ - just like I use £ to buy stuff. 🤦‍♂️

[@marian20012]

@@BrainFizz what a pity excuse. you used also ¥ and $ sign, yet you don't use them to buy stuff. okay, it's your preferences. it means your advice will save ¥, $ and £ but not €. I got it.

[@BrainFizz]

@@marian20012 actually you have no idea how much I use foreign currency….. there’s this thing called the internet, and they have shops and this guy called a postman transports stuff all over the world….. It’s a “pity” you have nothing better to do than make completely irrelevant comments about something you appear to know nothing about. Shame. But at least the interaction should fuel the video…..🤩👌

[@weseehowcommiegoogleis3770]

Your examples are Horrid at best.

[@BrainFizz]

@@weseehowcommiegoogleis3770 Thank you! I feel so lucky to have been given your opinion.

[@iowa409guy6]

speak up

[@BrainFizz]

TURN YOUR VOLUME UP!!!!!

[@iowa409guy6]

@@BrainFizz funny..I did.