Sharpen Drill Bits by Hand - Lost Tribal Knowledge

[@johnnaughton2364]

Wife got mad because I brought the grinder into the living room, to try it while watching the video.

[@suterfamily5578]

That's hilarious!

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

Sorry but that seems a little bit weird and extreme. Maybe you should put a tv out in your work area. I think your wife would greatly appreciate that and to be honest I think you would enjoy it as well.

[@endall6783]

@@Johnny-jr2lq I loved it but how is that "weird" ? I guess you don't have directions when putting something together no you pay someone sorry.

[@brianelliot2719]

Thanks Wes, yes I appreciate this type of video. Thanks for producing. I will definitely try it out. Some of my bits are too large for my Drill Doctor so I’ll try on them. I learned that sharpening spade bits is extremely easy if you just grind away the spurs. A spade bit can last forever (almost). You may want to show this and other types too.

[@johnnaughton2364]

@@Johnny-jr2lq Sharpening Drill bits is not weird and extreme. 2 TVs, I'm not rich....just wet everything down so the sparks don't catch the sofa on fire....

[@samuelt321]

The enlarged illustrative 3dprints helped see the motions more clearly. I liked the video.

[@OFCbigduke613]

Damn right

[@richardlincoln8438]

Worth the effort to provide them.

[@1pcfred]

Yeah the cone deal is hard to visualize or explain. It's why you can't easily make a drill bit sharpening jig. Also why you have to make such a strange motion grinding bits. The cone is at an angle in relation to the axis of the bit.

[@stevehale7309]

My sophomore year of high school, I took Machine Shop 1, the instructor was a gentleman by the name of I. A. Miller. He made a major impact on my future, I was a machinist in the US Navy for 4 years and when I got out I worked in a local machine shop for about 6 years before moving to a position at a local hospital as a Maintenace Mechanic. One of his rules was to learn to hand grind drills. We had boxes of drill bits that were donated from an Army base close by and we would grind drills every day until we passed his very exact eye. I have never had to purchase replacement drills, I would regrind them until they were too short to use. One of the benefits of learning this skill was to pick up discarded drill bits and regrind them or bring them home to add to my stash. I retired from the hospital 10 years ago and have enough drill bits to last for several generations. I'd always find some that were heading for the dumpster and bring them home. I've started working with my grandsons in learning the skill.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

I wish I had someone teach me when I was younger. I'm 79 and now I think I am ready to try grinding my own. "Bout time, huh?

[@VinceHathaway]

@@Watchyn_Yarwood Ah yes, we strive to learn, improve talents, and to gain greater understanding. Then it is off to Croakersville.

[@CalcioReLenatore]

Pass the mechanical skills on. Crazy computer toys.

[@rickclayton1806]

I was born in 1952. My dad taught me to hand sharpen twist drills before I was 10 years old. When I showed up for my work term job in an electrical maintenance shop in 1971 I was assigned to work with an old electrician named Albert. We loaded up some tools and headed to an installation job on my first day. He instructed me to start working on something that involved drilling a hole in steel. I did so for about 5 seconds and then exclaimed "This drill is DULL!" (incensed). He replied in an Estevan Saskatchewan Hungarian accent "You know how to sharpen them?" (think of Bella Lugosi as Dracula), to which I replied "Of course, don't you?". Silence followed, but I was taken to a grinding wheel with the drill bit handed to me. So I sharpened it. He took it from me, chucked it in a hand drill and proceeded to drill a hole. Nice curly swarf came out of a clean hole. Still silent, he lead me to a large wooden box full of dull drill bits. I spent the rest of the day sharpening them. Just a note for the wise- the drill's web gets thicker as it gets ground down shorter, making it harder to sharpen as you need to thin the web. Yes, you can keep going many times but it may be wise to give up and get a new drill.

[@DanielEngsvang]

In these times of "Saving the Planet-Hysteria" it is very much needed for people to learn this instead of the factories constantly making new ones and ship them across the ocean for no good reason but our collective ignorance regarding basic maintenance of our stuff. 🙂

[@snufflesTheArticulate]

You didn't consider that they are shipped to places that don't/can't produce them? and not just people who want/need them? @@DanielEngsvang

[@jugears1081]

What a great story. I love old European men.

[@rickclayton1806]

@@jugears1081 Albert was born and grew up in Estevan Saskatchewan Canada. There was a very high proportion of Hungarian and Ukrainian immigrants living there following WWII. Most of these people farmed the surrounding area and kept largely to their ethnic groups. Hence, his maternal language was Hungarian, and his accent was extremely strong.

[@jozefbubez6116]

@@DanielEngsvang Totally agree!

[@KirkS.-bc9ip]

Just because your not seeing the "Likes" doesn't mean you've failed or we're not paying attention. Your second video about the "Drill Doctor" shamed me into going back and watching this one...and it was worth the it. Try to remember that not every video will be academy award material, but your knowledge and content are always worth it. Keep teaching...

[@braincraven]

agreed, the drill doctor video pushed me here to learn old school ways.

[@RuneLar]

"Watch Wes Work" became "This Old Wes" for day.

[@WatchWesWork]

Not meeting my quota of dad jokes.

[@SouthernArmory]

If Wes wanted to do more shop skill vids….. I’m here for it.

[@IAmUndersteer]

Were that the case, he would’ve just cut those broken bits down with a swift karate chop, and probably sharpened them with a wheel of cheese instead of a grinding wheel through the magic of editing. 😂

[@michaelandrecht7508]

I watch Wes because I learn . I love for him teaching and passing on many of his knowledge and skill sets , like a shop teacher or the journeyman mentoring a novice. You hit a home run with this hands-on video in my book.

[@pldoolittle]

That is high praise indeed.

[@thedeafguitarist]

That's how I learned it 35 years ago. No need for a special sharpening device, just train your hands and your eyes and you get a new skill. Good teaching and explaining!

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

A mill wright taught me ( electrician ) how to sharpen them 55 years ago. He also taught me how to do general stick welding. All of those skill I still use but not very often. Thanks John Cleary.

[@calholli]

I'm convinced that the flies are CGI and you just added them for effect. It's a nice touch for realism

[@NiallWardrop]

I kept trying to brush them off my screen.

[@hvacmangoodman4]

I sprayed them. 😂

[@alanbierhoff6831]

I broke 4 fly swatters and my TV screen 😂😂😂😂

[@Fatamus]

@@alanbierhoff6831 🤣😂🤣

[@Fatamus]

🤣😂🤣

[@SkaMateria]

Dude, I'm only 2 minutes into the video, and you have my absolute respect for 3D printing visual aids. That little bit of extra effort in order to help idiots like me to understand the lesson is just... Just... *chef's kiss*.

[@themurman01]

I watched my grandfather touch up a drill once, when I was young, but he never had the chance to explain to me what it was that he was doing. My memory was that he did it freehand, and his conical grind was starting at the tip and rolling away, but it was a long time ago. I appreciate all your videos, but ones like these are special, because they are really spreading actual knowledge.

[@vicferrari9380]

That's the way I have always done and taught it. It seems odd to me watching it be done back to front. But I'm sure it works just fine.😊

[@lewis2553]

That's the way I do it, too. It's lots faster and just as good.👍

[@Daemorien]

That's the way I've done it for 20y. An old machinists, just before he retired, showed me how to sharpen everything from a butchering knife to the different types of lathe cutting tools. I was so lucky for those chilly winter nights in the machine shop in front of the grinding wheel.

[@centauri61032]

That is actually a really cool video. Highly informative, even for those that use the tools like the Drill Doctor, to understand the ultimate goal. I'm also impressed how much prep you did to make the vid, with all the 3D prints and all. Well done. (The leading commercial was hilarious! And Mrs. Wes even agreed to be a part of it.)

[@thetoolman3]

Wes, this tutorial gets right several things that no one else covers. 1: your eyes are good enough to distinguish a good grind from a bad one. 2: the shape of the grind is easily created by breaking down the process into a few simple steps. 3: anyone can learn how to sharpen drill bits by hand; don't be afraid to try and to practice. The 3D prints were a great visual aid, too. And as always, your sense of humor is the best. Keep these videos coming. Thank you.

[@1pcfred]

Just looking at a bit won't tell you if it'll drill, or not. Drilling with a bit will tell you though. You'll know. If the bit don't cut right in then grind it until it does. Getting the cutting edge uppermost is a bit of a trick but it is doable. If you don't the bit will rub and not cut. There's a bit of mind over matter going on with the whole process.

[@oldcynic6964]

Try it. What have you got to lose ? You were going to buy a new drill bit anyway, so it doesn't matter if you totally wreck it ! ps, Wes may not need to wear glasses, but if you're new to this, then wear some eye protection, please.

[@1pcfred]

@@oldcynic6964 I've sharpened a lot of drills and it is always still possible I don't get the cutting edges uppermost. It is a bit of a trick to manage to do that. Although totally ruining a bit would be ruining the temper I suppose. That we have to look out for.

[@JohnBare747]

I'm 82 so my drill bit encounters go way back and worse I was taught by my Grandpa who was a mechanic in WWI working on aircraft engines, for the allies, so learning to sharpen drills was one of he first things I was taught after learning to drill a hole. That would be the 1940's and there have been a lot of drill bits under the bridge since then. Things like the Drill Doctor kind of work but you need to put in almost as much time if not more learning them than just sharpening the drill on the grinder in the first place. Or perhaps it was me needing to unlearn how I have sharpened drills for a bucket of decades. Hand Sharpening is a skill worth learning, it can bee kind of like meditating, just round up all the crappy bits and zen them all sharp, you will feel fulfilled and calm in the end. Or is that just me? I also like to once or twice a year put on some nice jazz and get coffee and just sit and sort out all the nuts and bolts out of the Hell Box and put them in their proper storage containers. Perhaps I'm just borderline OCD or just plain nuts, sorted of course.

[@clintonroushff7068]

You would be an awesome neighbor! Take care

[@АлексейПравдин-ь4ы]

Здоровья и удачи вам

[@Wintergatan_2]

Nice story Thanks for sharing, and Thank you for the hell box name, i have too many of those and they are too massive aswell :) cheers

[@mr.besripair1383]

My Grandfather always sharpened his drill bits the way you do. I watched him sharpen them, many times. Your video on this, made me understand exactly what he was doing. Thank You!

[@RGSABloke]

Awesome WES

[@KM-jh9yd]

You are an excellent instructor while being entertaining enough to keep me watching through a 23 minute video. Also thanks to your wonderful wife and family for sharing you.

[@chrisj2848]

I think you better tell Mrs Wes this counts as teaching "Dark Arts"... Thanks Wes. Excellent as always.

[@mattinsley5530]

You have great teaching skills. Keep doing what you do. I enjoy watching and have learned some tricks from you. Your never too old to learn. Thanks

[@jeffreyclark1120]

About 40 years ago I worked for an old school machinist and boat builder. One day he assigned me the task of drilling out all the set screws holding the blades of a very old 36" square head planer. They were all seized, they were all hardened, and there were over a hundred of them. He gave me a two minute drill sharpening course and left me to do the job. Each set screw required multiple sharpenings and the drill bits got really short before I dared toss them and start on a new one. To this day the motion to sharpen the edge and cut the relief is permanently wired in my brain. Can't see the edge very well anymore but still get the job done on bits 3/16 and up.

[@billk9628]

My Dad was an elevator mechanic, and drilled through thick steel by hand all the time. He showed me this stuff when I was 5 years old. Trust me! When your Dad has you sharpen the tools he uses for work, they better be right! His day depended on it.

[@WylieWiggins]

I was the flunky in a tool and die shop of a manufacturing facility, everything from drill bits to knives to end mills to chipper blades to barrel openers to hand nippers, to diagonal cutting pliers... were my job to sharpen. Even these days, I watch closely as material is cut with even new drill bits to see how well they're ground.

[@PhilipNiedermann]

about 40 years ago I was a machinist apprentice and spent 3 months in the tool sharpening department getting yelled at by an old hungarian dude that smelled like whisky. I did learn how to sharpen drills though. +1 for wife checking up on Wes.

[@johnsecord9697]

GREAT STUFF! Keep it up. I have been sharpening drills by hand for 40 or more years and you taught me something. Thanks!

[@marksmallman4572]

me too, i learnt 50 years ago!

[@dennisgrow7591]

I'm a retired Manufacturing Engineer, you are spot on with drill information, Your teaching aids are fabulous. Best video I have watched in a long time. Keep up the good work!

[@jt9498]

#1: All your videos are NEVER a waste of time! Passing your knowledge is a gift you have in abundance. I'll wager you have helped thousands of DIYers and first timers. #2: My dad taught me how to sharpen drill bits when I was 12. I still do it to this day at 76. #3: You always learn more from anyone who knows more than you! #4: vegetarian; old Indian word meaning 'lousy hunter'. ;)

[@WrankledEngine]

7th

[@johngibson3837]

#4 love that one mate guna have to start using it

[@danqp]

You beat me. Start learned how to hand sharpened drill 1976 until now.almost 50 years. Small drill as .015 dia as big 3" dia. Still find this video useful 🎉.

[@paulpulver3877]

Wes, this production is REALLY appreciated. Your deadpan humor, your humility, your reminding of messing up and riding the learning curve really pans out to an excellent video. But, do them at your pace. We want you making content and liking it, not getting burnt out! Thank you for your postings!

[@johnp-e9963]

I learnt this skill in a previous life as a mechnical engineer, We did an awful lot of 4mm tapping into stainless steel so I got quite good at sharpening 3.2mm drills eventually. You have also reminded me I have a box of bits to sharpen.

[@1pcfred]

Yeah if you have a bunch to do that's a great way to train. I bought a whole bucket of dull bits once and got pretty good by the time I was done with all of them. You definitely get better with repetition.

[@JohnNorrisMetalSculpture]

The best drill sharpening video on the internet, period. Excellent content, cheers!

[@ianosprey7666]

I loved that, thanks. I now need to find a printer... and a bench grinder My dad was a joiner (1940's through 1980's). I used to watch on Sundays when he sharpened and set his tools before the start of the working week. Drills, saws, spokeshave, plane and router blades. He was like a little kid with a new toy when hardpoint saws became available. 🙂

[@steveschumacher5470]

50 years as a mechanic and I'm on my third set of drill bits, mostly due to the shanks getting chewed up. I always buy good quality bits & learned in high school how to sharpen them. My aging eyes convinced me to try a drill doctor a few years ago & after using it once or twice, I went back to hand sharpening as I found it to be fussy & more trouble than it was worth. Thanks for another great video

[@1pcfred]

Yeah I got one of them drill doctor things. It's a waste of time. Bulldogs are not bad though. I use a Bulldog to get the basic shape when a bit is really wacked out. But mounting a bulldog to get perpendicular striations is funky. The directions are worthless for doing it. Put a bit in the jig and hold it up to the wheel how you want it then make a base for it to hold it that way. It'll end up at about a 45° angle.

[@_EmptyBox_]

You're not allowed to have an intro like that while I'm eating! This is fantastic knowledge to share - not just the technique to sharpen the tool, but that there is a technique. Too often there is the "it's broken, lets replace it" mentality - instead of the "it's broken, lets fix it".

[@mackaydb]

Best intro ever ... and darn good teachin' too. 👍👍

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

I just want to say thank you to Mrs Wes for allowing Mr Wes to continue to make these videos. My pops passed away before he could pass on the tribal knowledge.

[@davidpayne3815]

That was great, thank you. Showing the hand motion both on a model and real life is a game changer. Watching someone make a complicated move on a flat screen is not the same as watching that person in real life. Again, thank you.

[@femd8810]

Excellent video on hand sharpening drill bits. I am a metal fabricator/welder by trade, I worked in a couple of largish steel shops for several years before becoming an independent contractor. Over 20yrs later it astonishes me how many tradesmen I meet on site that don't know the basic fundamentals and nomenclature of drill bits and bit sharpening, when we ALL rely so heavily on these tiny tools to do our jobs. In a shop of 20 fabricators only ONE salty dude knew how to do this, but never really took the time to show anyone else how to or what he was doing to make it happen. I personally taught myself on a Drill Doctor machine, it works very well and has saved me a notable amount of time and money driving back and forth to the hardware store to replace dull or broken drill bits. The information in this video is spot on and well articulated. Although I prefer to use a small inexpensive portable machine to resharpen my bits (especially on site), understanding these drill bit fundamentals is a must for any young aspiring tradesmen.

[@gerhartkaiser1678]

I really enjoyed this one Wes, takes me back 50 years as a young Toolmaker Apprentice. I was fortunate enough to have miserable old German Tool Makers teach me this process. You really didn't go far without learning to sharpen your drills. Couple of comments, as you sort of stated, you get what you pay for. Those cheap plastic housing 4", 5", and 6" bench grinders are the biggest handicap to sharpening. As you stated a "Sharp" grinding wheel is essential. I use a nice bright blue/white LED lamp fixture and a magnafocuser these days (due to old age) but at 68, I still hand sharpen my drill bits. Thanks again for another well done video and keep'em comin!!

[@1pcfred]

My old German was a very jovial guy. I miss Bugsley. My first day on the job he came up and smelled some steel stock and said, M42 He really liked to joke around. He didn't know me or anything but he had to get that joke in. Now the foreman he was a bit depressed. He was communist Polish.

[@klaw163]

Novice "machinist" here who really appreciates the time taken to teach this! Thank you sir

[@kevinknight470]

Ask an Old Machinist why His Drill Bits were so short, He said the drill bit set was over 50 Years Old and had been sharpened Dozens of times. He also said to Always use Cutting Oil when drilling. He Hand sharpened His Bits on a Dressed Stone and Bench Grinder. I used old drill bits and practiced until I learned the skill, it takes time. Thanx Wes. 😃

[@mildlydisinterested]

I love this sort of video. I was taught the exact same method of drill sharpening by an old timer over twenty years ago. It worked then and it works now. And, center punch free dry drilling a roughly half inch hole by hand with no pilot is madman work. I usually start with a 3/32 and then a 3/8 before moving to 1/2. All with oil, lol. That was a solid sharpening on that one. Done right, sir.

[@GTIwarrior]

This is the best drill sharpening video I’ve found. Those 3D prints really make it easy to visualize and understand the angles and process. Thank you!

[@TheBrookian]

OMG, LOVE THE INTRO!! Mrs. Wes has a talent for acting!!

[@Dmbyers2002]

I love it. Sometimes I feel like we’re the last of an era of skills that when I started doing this stuff were common. But I guess every generation says that, as they see common workplace skills lost to mass production and cheap consumables.

[@peteralund]

No that is actually a new thing of the last two generations, before this knowledge didnt change for thousands of years, it is fascinating how fast the world evolves. Having said that - I can now sharpen a drill bit, something my father never could have taught me. We are really living a life in abundance

[@1pcfred]

I don't care how cheap drill bits are I don't want to be running out buying them all the time. Good bits are not that cheap either. But sharp bits are priceless. If you drill holes you should know how to sharpen bits. If you drill holes you will have dull bits. Most folks all they have are dull bits.

[@RayScrafield]

My Dad taught me to sharpen drill bits many years ago. He was somewhat of a machinist, self taught. Anyway, he taught me to sharpen from the leading edge to the trailing edge. I would put the edge to the wheel, watch it for sparks then roll the bit up to take off the back side. It seems to work. Just another way to do the same thing. Thanks for your time and efforts. I, for one, appreciate all that you do to inform and entertain us. I hope it is profitable enough that you keep on doing these videos. Thanks again.

[@1pcfred]

Both ways work. I find heel to edge a bit easier to do though. Heel to edge gives you run up to line up the shot. You're going from least to most important then.

[@ewanward9952]

Hi Wes, I have been hand sharpening drill bits for over 50 years now, but this video is one of the best on how I should have been doing it all this time. Thanks.

[@charlesschneiter]

Wes, you are the born teacher and natural talent!!! I am aware that producing such tremendously instructional and at the same time entertaining videos is very, very, very hard work. But by all means: Keep em coming! Oh, and the communities heartfelt greetings and thanks to Mrs. W that she lets you do these! Kind regards from atm the Isle of Wight in the UK! Charles from Switzerland

[@ScoobyMaxC]

Great video, I remember being taught this 35 years ago but this was a really well executed refresher and explanation... and it had crop dusting! Would absolutely watch more like this. Thanks Wes 👍🏻

[@loisrinehart6755]

I watch every one of your videos and enjoy them. You have taught me a lot and I'm 75 years old. Thank you.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Agree and 79 here.

[@dougaranda6187]

Back in 1973 when I was a youngin’, I ran a drill press at Ingersoll Rand, drilling and tapping huge engine blocks and crankshafts. When a bit needed to be replaced you just exchanged it at the tool room. I never have learned how to do it by hand. I have a sharpener that is drill powered, and it works pretty well. I do have some large bits that I can’t sharpen, but now maybe I can! I loved the video. Damn flies!

[@gourmetmess]

As a clockmaker, I am thoroughly impressed on your teaching style and props to demonstrate what has been the most difficult to teach someone. Keep doing this style of sharing your knowledge and experience, Please!!!

[@hiscifi2986]

Those 0.8 mm drills are really difficult to sharpen..!

[@BrianDoherty-e8s]

This is the best tutorial I have ever seen about anything. Excellent video and audio; and mercifully, no music, no clutter, no cats running across the workbench. The technical information was also clear and specific and the man had an open and informative attitude. Unbelievably good!

[@cw3fixinjunk475]

My machine shop mentor when I got started was watch me sharpen a drill bit by myself for the first time. His comment “If you go much further, just throw it in the trash!” We were not as busy the next day. He gave me a 20 minute class on sharpening drill bits. After that I even surprised myself on how good they worked.

[@josephsnow8156]

I watch your videos because of your ability to explain things and how you precisely show how to do them. Your matter of fact, it is what it is, no reason to sugar coat it, take what you will, blunt personality, but never without your somewhat dry deadpan humor personality is why I watch every video you make.

[@tdotw77]

💯👍🏻👌🏻😅

[@dennisbailey4296]

A 40 year mechanic here!! Great technique and a little easier way to get drill bits sharpened than the way I've been doing it good stuff!! Thanks for the extra help at the end of the video!! Hopefully this content is profitable!! All the best from Surrey BC Canada

[@craigsudman4556]

I learned how to hand sharpen drill bits back in the late 60's. I like your technique of sharpening the cutting edge first and then working the relief angle up to but not the cutting edge. About ten years ago I bought a Drill Doctor and now whenever I need to drill really hard steel, I put a fresh factory finish on my bits...they drill like butter. I still hand sharpen when I'm in the middle of a project and I notice the bit is just not cutting fast but eventually I turn to the Drill Doctor to make my bits "like new again". Great video Wes thumbs up.

[@alvalle1206]

When I first started working on cars professionally the old guy I worked for taught me how to sharpen drills with a flat stone . I still sharpen good drills that way. Great educational post Wes it will help the younger folks save money and time.

[@pmae9010]

For some of us this is why we watch, to learn, you are a good teacher.

[@jkholley1118]

I use a drill doctor for smaller bits and try to sharpen larger ones by hand. This video helped me understand what im doing wrong. Thanks Wes

[@1pcfred]

Basically the cutting edge has to be at the highest point. Otherwise it won't cut in and drill. So you end up grinding behind the edge to make that happen. You have to sharpen the edge too though. Having bits that are actually sharp all the time is a game changer. You can get bits sharper than new.

[@scottthompson6885]

That is one the best videos I've seen in 35 years of fab. And engineering work on how to sharpen and why, when to do so. Keep them coming!!!

[@davidsandford8343]

Finally! A man on KZbin who knows what he is talking about. I taught this same technique to a group of random people, including bank managers and computer gurus. New sub from Australia!

[@TheBuildist]

Very well done. As someone who has tried to explain drillbit sharpening on video, I'm impressed. Clear as a bell, easily understood.

[@simonilett998]

I was taught to sharpen the cutting lips first, then roll away from the lips to form the relief, so it doesn't risk undoing the work already done, but 'skinning cats' and all that. Hardest thing I find is getting the two cutting lips equal lengths, and keeping the angle consistent/centred. Another tip for 118° drill bits, place the flats of two hex nuts together and the angle formed between the nuts will be 120°,so it's a pretty good reference, similar to your pat. pend. jigs, Wes, just nowhere to rest the shank. Also, for most drill bits, the more broken they are/shorter they get, the web gets thicker, so it makes it more tricky to get a decent wide cutting edge, so split pointing these is often a good solution to help narrow the web or chisel width.👍

[@jasonmitchell3307]

Well said! The Starrett No. 22C Drill Point Gage works well for this. I wish they made one for 135° grinds.

[@Casterton-Vintage]

That's how I was taught and it's worked well for over 50 years now!

[@rollieevans6292]

Yep, I was taught the same procedure as you way back my 1967 shop class

[@1pcfred]

Freehand sharpening is never perfect but holes drilled with twist drills are never perfect anyways. That's what keeps reamer makers in business.

[@VinceMulhollon]

Many years ago, I tried the "sharpen the cutting lips first" and the drill would tend to bounce off or kick or just generally be under less control, so I had better control working the opposite direction in the "Wes way". Probably very sensitive to how you hold the drill.

[@ericvogel1126]

That was helpful. I'm 80 years old and in my 20s an old tool room guy taught me to roll the drill up rather than down like you showed. .Your way looks like a better way, I'm going to try that soon. Thanks, Wes.

[@1pcfred]

Heel to edge is easier. Both ways work though.

[@joedowling5452]

Please keep the tribal knowledge videos coming. HS machine shop was many years ago and I’ve forgotten much of what was taught to me. Plus I’m out of practice on tasks such as this. I will admit to having succumbed to the disposable society on drill bits until now. This reminder of how easy it is along with recently having picked up a quantity of bits at auction has me looking to get back to sharpening my own.

[@Randy.Andy.]

This guy is a pro and a great teacher. He helped illustrate the issues by showing a bigger model of the drill bit tips which allows you to clearly understand and visualise. Well done.

[@ThacMan]

The "few little tidbits of knowledge" you have showed us thus far has illustrated your brain is genius level. Great tutorial.

[@filobeto1691]

Well done Wes. Here is different twist. Without running the grinder hold a new 1/2” drill bit against the wheel, either a 118 or 135 degree. Start by making contact with the heel of the bit against the wheel. Now slowly rotate the bit towards the cutting lip while simultaneously swinging an arc from the outside towards the center of the wheel. Lastly pivot the end of the bit upwards. Yes three separate movements combined into one motion. It may seem complicated but that is why to practice dry runs with the grinder not running. The three in one movement will allow you to follow the contour of the bit exactly. When you practice live the motion will allow you to end right on the face of the cutting lip and you can use the sparks to check your angle. For the spit tip hold the bit at a steep angle and start on the edge of the wheel and on the outside of the of the heel. Now rotate the heel into the wheel and stop just before you reach the center web. Repeat for the other side. If you dip your bit in water hold the bit in front of the wheel for a few seconds to blow the water off. Water tends to glaze the wheel and it will not cut as well.

[@tdotw77]

'A different twist' huh! I see what you did there(unintentionally)! Pun completely intended but not noticed. 😅😂🤔🛠️🔩👌🏻 ✊🏻🇺🇸🦅

[@poetryplace]

I was a millwright and never ever saw or knew to exist a drill sharpening machine until I was very much older. I've always hand sharpened drills and your explanation was quite brilliant. I just learned by trial and error but I can still do it without gauges or measuring tools. If you use drills a lot it saves time and a stack of money to learn to sharpen them by hand.

[@97kristel]

This is something I really appreciate, (almost) lost knowledge that are so useful. Thank you! Nice backdrop for the video...

[@laurencefrench3828]

That was the best instruction on drill bit sharpening I have seen, My shop teacher would have used it in class. Remember those old safety shop movies.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

Learning new or forgotten skills is great. My college years was 35 years ago. I learned sharpening drill bits but forgot it later. Thank you for refreshing it. Yes these videos are really valuable.

[@countryboy8ification]

I've been sharpening my own bits for over 20 years now . I was shown in a fairly similar fashion. Keep up the good work and content . Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and expertise in the varying fields .

[@JonnyCrash]

I honestly think content like this would be the kind that would get a bit more views. Instructional-type videos are generally popular, I think.

[@stumpingrimy1686]

this is the internet so I gotta disagree :) Wes is way more than a how to teacher - and that's why I'm here.

[@ShanesGettingHandy]

This is an evergreen video. Wes will do well with it.

[@tarunarya1780]

One of the best videos on drill sharpening I have ever seen detailing all the complex rotations as well as sharpening of the edge. Makes things so much clearer with your great models. People talking about things you can't see or relate to which is what some videos do is not helpful for people who are new as they do not know what the action relates to. Thanks.

[@mintercms]

Without a doubt, this is the BEST drill sharpening video I've seen! Amazing work as usual Wes! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@ColinDH12345]

Best way to demo the issue! Well done. Never seen it done like this before. My Engineer Father would be proud of you :-)

[@deezworkshop]

I vote for more of these videos. Sharing your knowledge for others is great and I found it very helpful. You have a great way of sharing your knowledge that is understandable and easy to follow along. Keep em’ coming.

[@tonyandjackieholmes9546]

One of the better instructional videos on drills You have a skill of imparting knowledge clearly and simply - please keep up such posts

[@thriftabout5110]

Okay, okay, it's next week and I came back to finish the rest of the video. My time was tight during my first viewing and when it went from "Talk Talk Talk" to "Actually Sharpening", I realized that I would need to revisit this video at a later date, closer to the time that I would be trying to learn this skill. I admit that I paused it and went on to other tasks. Your Drill Doctor video shamed me into coming back to finish the episode. I do not own a Drill Doctor and now I never will but I DO have a pretty good bench grinder! I'll be back to watch this again as soon as it's applicable. The opportunity to learn this new skill after nearly 7 decades of walking the Earth shall not be wasted. Thanks for posting this lesson.

[@jsimon2110]

I have been hand sharpening bits since the 1970's. I didnt start back cutting until the 90's. Doing it on the small bits is the trick. Thanks for the video.

[@CAPNMAC82]

Cool video, Wes. Drill bits can seem a mystery, if not a complicated mystery. An excellent illustration that one need not have expensive gizmos to do what patience and a grinder can do. Finding the balance for videos is sore complicated, not last by not being able to gauge what mysteries ought be revealed and what can be left to the wayside. Like it's probably not worth it to make a video explaining the difference between wood cutting drill bits and metal cutting ones. (I have met those who refuse to believe a difference exists--they have drill bits about as sharp as equal sized dowels.)

[@WatchWesWork]

Have you ever seen the channel "How to Basic"? It started with videos like "How to Close a Door" and "How to Eat a Cupcake". Now it's advanced up to things like "How to Survive Squid Game".

[@rhondasweeney7271]

Wes, you would make a great instructor for a trade school. Your knowledge should be shared with the younger generations. Thank you for sharing.😊

[@YsanneOshea]

When I was a first at work, I was tasked with cleaning and sweeping a machine shop and a tool room on a regular basis. I remember the warm, slightly sweet musky smell of cutting oil, the noise of the huge ancient Ward/Churchill lathes and I remember watching 'bi--spectacled old men' undertaking this sharpening process but have never known the technicalities required to accomplish it. Now I do. Thank you Wes. I am grateful and enlightened! 🕊👍

[@stankymcgee6742]

Fantastic video, Wes! I have been sharpening bits on a grinder since 2001. I had a machining technology instructor (2nd AAS degree) who taught my class a similar way to sharpen bits and I have never forgotten nor quit doing it. I've never used a Drill Doctor either....never had the need. It's fun to see the amazement in a customer's face when they're watching a drilling operation come to a standstill, see me remove the bit from the drill, walk over to the grinder for half a minute, then come back and see two large spiral chips dance around the chuck once again. This is a lost art and I've watched many folks try (even those in a related industry) and fail just to give up and grab a new bit. I have drawers of old bits because I'm too cheap to buy chinese ones that are too soft, too brittle, or just won't hold an edge after the hardening on the original cutting edge has been broken or ground off. The intro made me laugh too. Fantastic work!

[@Big222Dog]

Wes best simple explanation ever. I'm 67yrs old. I've been a professional joiner all my life. Retired now I also run a small forge & fabrication workshop. I've have tried all my life to resharpen drill bits with all kinds of success & failure, but never really understanding why. Your video helped me connect the dots. Thanks

[@tothemaxxoutdoors4771]

The 3D printed teaching aids are spot on!!!! Tribal knowledge is so awesome!!

[@saj2694]

Thank you. This is the magic info that you just can’t get without a mentor.

[@TsunauticusIV]

Wes is in a drill bit mania… and I approve.

[@ronaldmahoney1283]

Thank you so much for your clear and to the point, GET IT, instruction and knowledge on this video! There are people who teach but don"t know how to relay the information step by step. You took the time to carefully spell it out!

[@wayneruffner]

This "deviation" from your regular videos is perfect. A great topic I've wondered about for too long. And a wonderful use of the large models, that was genius, really. Keep it up, trust your instincts and we'll all keep watching! Thanks!

[@southstreetbarbecue7875]

I am so sorry about the flies. Week before last my wife and I were sitting on the deck and I remarked that it seemed like there were hardly any flies this summer. The plague showed up here in central IL a few days later. I wish I could take it back.

[@WatchWesWork]

It's bad this week. I even kept the doors closed. I think that made it worse.

[@dandunlap8638]

I was glad to see you put this video out. I spent 20 years working for the world’s largest cutting tool reconditioning company US Tool Grinding. When I started there in 89 we sharpened about 750,000 drills and cutting tools a week. It will be interesting to see how much knowledge you have. You’ve impressed me to date.

[@brutongaster8184]

The verdict?

[@dandunlap8638]

@@brutongaster8184 His knowledge was very solid. The only thing that wasn’t 100% accurate, was on the split, he mentioned the mfg using a diamond wheel. And while they may on some spit cuts, the majority are done with a vitrified wheel, much like the point. The radius of the split grind determines how often they dress the wheel. The mfg is using a much larger grinding wheel diameter on both the point and the split. This allows them to go longer between dressings the wheel. Of course they’re using an automated machines with cams to produce the roll-off relief he’s producing with a hand motion. The drills are held with a fixture that locks them into a bushing and collet setup for reliability. Hand sharpening can’t compare to machine sharpening, but for a home shop with larger diameter drills, with a little practice and attention to detail one can get by. We used very large machines that weighed probably a ton or more, with a wheel diameter of 24”. We were doing mostly drills used in the aircraft industry, precision was paramount. Our machine operators could sharpen several hundred 3/16” drills and hour. Of course we did a large variety of cutting tools and sizes, but 3/16” probably made up 25% of the aerospace drills.

[@David..R]

Please add a fly swatter to your list of tools. Then you can sharpen your swatting skills.

[@bradnail99]

The 3D printed drill tips are very helpful. Breaking the process into stages was great; lips, relief, point splitting. I’m going to test it out tomorrow.

[@markpowell762]

Awesome job!!! My neighbor was a retired machinist. He pasted away several years ago. I watched him sharpen bits just like this.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Lmfao love the intro Protecting the good drill bits from the spouse 😂😂 0:10 @Watch Wes Work

[@texasjetman]

Yes I smiled when I heard that line too. His dry humor is pretty good

[@seanfenwick]

Thank you for the lessons. I watched the drill doctor video first and decided to rather give this hand sharpening a go. Feel more confident in hand sharpening.

[@garyclagett1848]

Your attention to the details is superb,I will follow you on KZbin from here on. Your comment on getting what you pay for with grinding wheels is soooo true. I’ll bet you have multiple innovative pearls in your mental toolbox, please keep them coming,you are great!😊

[@benjaminvarney8279]

Great video Wes. I always enjoy learning from your videos. I have been a mechanic for over 15 years and I manage to take something away from many of them. The effort put into the printed models in this one was awesome. Such a great way to really accentuate the movements needed for folks to see how the grinding is done. I am looking forward to seeing whatever other ideas for videos on knowledge you'd like to share.

[@designandbuild3953]

Fantastic video, already sent it to a few friends. Best free hand drill sharpening video on youtube right now. I know this because I look for a decent drill sharpening video before and couldn't find one. Will always watch your videos, your teaching style resonates with your audience as the other comments will bear out.

[@bassonpiet7931]

Bring them on, Wes. I cannot get enough of these type of video's. Thanks a mill!

[@biggooddad]

That intro was absolutely hilarious! Thanks Wes! I no longer own a bench grinder after the mud dobbers filled it with you know what and i turned it on, but when i get a new one, i feel confident that i can put your information to good use. Good stuff.

[@RandallCrook]

The first 6 months of my electrical apprenticeship back in 1982 was spent in the workshops at Guthega Power Station learning how to use hand tools. We had several master tradesmen of different disciplines teaching us everything from the use of hand files to how to use lathes and mills. Sharpening drill bits was taught to us by a really nice old master fitter/turner named George. Watching this video brought me back to those 6 months. Great video.

[@KellySmith-z4t]

That was probably the best videos I seen where the instructor takes his time to actually show the viewer step by step

[@andrewhall2554]

Thanks for putting this video up. I wish I had seen it 60 years ago when I first tried to figure out how to sharpen twist drills. I can't wait to give your process a try.

[@thethriftysuburbanite5251]

My dad was in the USAAF, stationed in Alaska during WWII. They had to sharpen their drill bits out of necessity. He showed me how to do it years ago and I still sharpen my own to this day. Good Video!