How to: Sharpen Drill Bit with a 2x72 Belt Grinder

[@NagelHausForge]

Great video man! I don't know how many drill bits I've chucked across the shop because I got irritated that they weren't cutting!!!

[@RedBeardOps]

Yeah... I needed this one 😅

[@HouseMadeUS]

Got a bag of bits that need help!? 😆

[@RedBeardOps]

@@HouseMadeUS Man you know it... I need to get me a soft platten too.

[@stephenborders4654]

Great tutorial. When I was a mechanic, I always sharpened my bits on a bench grinder. I later had a Drill doctor to use, and it worked well.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Stephen! I like the drill doctor as well, works great. 🤩

[@alk5749]

Good stuff, I’ve sharpened my drill bits for years. Saves a lot of$$

[@HouseMadeUS]

Right on, same here and with gas prices I save that running back and forth to the hardware store. Thanks Al!

[@messinger123]

Cool. I’ve been sharpening my drills this way for years, but I only have a hard platen. Way better than bench grinder, but now I want to try with a soft backer. Also, magnification visor is a must for my old eyes. Great video!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks so much, Ben! I think with practice I could easily do this on a hard platen but anything that makes the process faster, I’m gonna do it that way and get back to the bigger project. It’s enjoyable to take a few minutes and do this though!🤘🏻

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

I'm going to make a soft platen with leather on flat bar with magnets to stick to the existing platen. Speedy change over. Thanks for the idea. I'm impressed with the blending on flat stock ability. 👍

[@HouseMadeUS]

That's an excellent idea. I may join you on that.

[@gjordan456]

Another great video!! I’ve tried every kind of jig and drill bit sharpening system that’s out there, bottom line learning how to sharpen by hand is the fastest way to get it done, the more you practice the better you get, this just goes to show that the 2x72 belt grinder is by far the most useful tool in the shop!!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Totally agree on all points, thank you!! 👊🏻⚡️

[@reaper060670]

I got a set of those glass/magnifiers with the lights on them. I'm in my early 50's and the eyes are knackered my bro. I need them badly these days..

[@benjaminseigal5192]

Great video! Another use for the soft platen!

[@hayworth.handmade]

Gonna give this a try so I don't have to keep buying new drill bits. I only ever use maybe a 1/4" of the bit but they're all over an inch long so it's always felt like a waste to not sharpen them. Thanks man!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Yeah man! I sharpen on the fly all the time. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jjforeal2]

I find that the bits cut more symmetrical when you focus on flat grinding the cutting edges into a centered V using a rest, and then freehand concave off the back side of the cutting edge to leave room for the chips. Edit: having them symmetrical keeps them from chattering.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Makes sense-thanks for the tip JJ! 👊🏻⚡️

[@marcleblanc1994]

Now I kno what to do!! Take all my dull drill bits and send them to you Just let me kno when they’re ready

[@HouseMadeUS]

Sure thing Marc LOL I’ll get right on that 😆😉

[@HighCaliberCraftsman]

Man that soft platten looks like it works a charm! Also I need to try this technique. I have always started at the cutting edge and rolled away from it when sharpening drills. I think your way may be easier to get lined up as you get to the cutting edge. Thanks for the podcast shout out!

[@HouseMadeUS]

You got it brother! ⚡️ Yes the soft platen can be a game changer for sure. Def give it a shot.

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Great video as always. Can't wait to see more videos soon. Wow that's very informational and helpful video this week. Thank you so much. I will definitely keep this in mind. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Weld on. Fab on. Keep making. God bless.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you Jared. I really appreciate your support as always. I am trying to bring value to the community with my videos. Thanks again my friend. 🙏🏼

[@NuManXplore]

Great demo, thanks for sharing.

[@mbks77]

The Ti coating on the sides is helpful in chip removal/extraction because it helps keep things from sticking to the bit and flutes...removing it from the tip isn't going to be detrimental to drilling as long as it's sharp

[@HouseMadeUS]

Gotcha, MBKS - thank you for the answer on that! 👊🏻⚡️

[@messinger123]

PS - a few tips: the single chip-coil indicates one cutting edge is a slightly shallower angle and is doing all the cutting. Use a gauge to ensure the angles are ground identical on both sides. Trouble starting the hole (and the visible heat) is because non-split drill tips can’t cut. That’s why you need a pilot hole or split tip. If you lose the split from sharpening you should drill a pilot or the tip will overheat. You probably know all that but I hope my comment might help someone else. Again, great video 👍

[@HouseMadeUS]

Awesome tips Ben, thank you for adding this note! (helps me too) 👊🏻⚡️

[@IDPAnut]

Great Video Brother!

[@robertogrady1321]

Great video, Brian. The wider belt makes it easy to sharpen big drills, too. I regularly sharpen 25mm/1" to 50mm/2" drills on mine. Just a top on sharpening your deburing tool or single point countersink. If you just grind back the flat cutting face and leave the factory geometry, you will keep the correct angle on the tool. The same for the single point tool, use a die grinder stone and just grind the hole if that makes sense?

[@tomsommer54]

What a great Idea to use the soft platen. By any chance did you try your 10 inch wheel? I have the first drill doctor, it is garbage. It’s been sitting on my shelf for years.

[@HouseMadeUS]

The wheel works great too. I like my drill doctor but it's a later version. The 750 I think.

[@Rubo7]

Thanks for the tips. What camera do you use to record?

[@HouseMadeUS]

This is the camera I use: amzn.to/3BWe05x. - main lens is a 1.8 - 50mm

[@Rubo7]

@@HouseMadeUS do you use any filters or the video quality is straight from the camera and lens? I just have to say your video quality looks amazing.

[@phillipchambers8487]

@HouseMade, who makes the awesome Leather Apron you are wearing???

[@HouseMadeUS]

That would be Ben Butler. My cohost on the podcast. He makes them for sale so go check it out. Love this thing!

[@lesstime1678]

do you see that plane cross the Atlantic with no lites , holy fuck

[@HouseMadeUS]

I did, it was awesome.

[@MacNifty]

At the factories here in Detroit. Let me tell you how many "professionals", "techs", "machinists", "engineers" and "supervisors" will just grab another wrong sized drill bit because they have found the "community" bit was burnt to a nub. LOL. I will show guys how there is a ton of ways to sharpen your bits with a belt grinder, disc grinder, wheel of stone grinder and even a simple hand manual machinists file. For a soft platen I have used rubber hose with steel on top then belt on top of both. I have used steel and 2 springs and the worst thing I did was use UHMW or Micarta!!! I like how you made your own frame for the belt and motor. That's sweet brother. Adjustments to no limit. The most legitimate way to freestyle your bits sharpening is to lock down a finger or palm for a point of stability and guide. Like when welding or airbrushing and tattooing. You won't need such a soft pad under the belt then and the firmer the belt sits and slides the better when you can move like you would move turning the worm gear for position. Why no lubrication and cooler when drilling? That's why you need your bits sharpened. LOL. Safety First! LOL. I'd like to know where you worked before. I think we get an idea why you are not there today. I think it's more wise to direct the unknowing learning public to go to industry first where the professionals of World Class Standards of Manufacturing lies. To go to Makers is like Teaching Young Dogs Bad Tricks. There is ways the seniors expect of the young recruit. Age is not the matter of experience to enter a position with a title that requires experience in duties done and time, education and certificate. I can tell you plenty of times guys from the garage or the south dirt oval tracks are great mechanics. In their own way. The problem with following 1st "makers" and "crafties" is that they don't have the money or institutions of the clout that sets the ways we all have to follow. I would rather a guy lie about whatever he may or may not know just to get some experience and the thrill of big stuff and then each time they fail. They will learn. Pick up. And eventually succeed. Professionally. The difference between a hacker and a card holder with a backing organization acknowledged. We all know a pro member of a big organization lazy and unknowing that skated through with least resistance. That's not what we want to achieve and or to encourage others. Seek the top. Seek the recognition of the renowned. Then.. take all you experienced, learned and grew with on the pro circuit. Then... Craft your crafties your way with base principles of the industry at a whole on the Global Level.

[@HouseMadeUS]

I've worked for myself for 20 years. Learning as I go. I've had a lot of 'professionals' tell me how things are. Most are wrong or too thick headed to learn and try new things. I'm happy to share what works for me.

[@jasonvliet-odonataknifeworks]

The coating makes them gold….which is obviously way better than silver or black!

[@HouseMadeUS]

😂😂😂

[@HickLif3]

Pro tip- you don't have to sharpen bits if you just snap them off

[@bvm7661]

Why are you deburring with a drill bit? A reamer would be a better solution for opening the holes if needed, a deburr tool, chamfer or countersink bit would clean up the Rim

[@HouseMadeUS]

I prefer a single fluted chamfer.

[@vitesseguy]

I really like "zero" flute countersink bits. Turn as slow as possible with firm pressure to raise a "chip". Light pressure and higher speed produces excess abrasive action on the part and the bit. Great videos. Thanks.

[@wflexser]

Couldn't you just do it on the slack of the belt

[@HouseMadeUS]

I tried it and I got way too much bevel that way. I needed something tougher behind it. Rotary platen could work.