Shop Talk With Adam: Drill Grinding

[@Abom79]

It wasnt untill I was older that I really started to appreciate and respect the teachings that I learned from my dad. I may have taken those older days for granted but I dont anymore. I reflect on them and cherish what I still have from both dad and grandad.

[@osmokekki9660]

The fine art of hand sharpening drill bits was learned to me by a teacher in my machinist school. It was so good to see how the teacher had the right angle and in a fluent movement yes a consistent way did it. Of course first we had to dress the wheel with a hardened roller dresser, and we went on trying ourselves to sharpen. Of course it was hard but in a short time we learned. So it is so important to have a skilled teacher. Perhaps without it takes 100 times longer. You Abom79 have showed so many skills we only could dream of in that school but your skills are the nearly perfect ones, your drilling free hand sharpening is the best I have seen it only needs that consisten fluent motion. Thats my humble opinion. I am now 72 years old, but me interest in these things is even more growing. Have a good life! Forgive my bad english- it is not my native language.

[@bufford14]

Our Dads have been around the block a time or two, whilst we were just babies, and as we get older and use the things we were taught we see things in a different light. I tell my son to watch, listen, and learn so that he can do the things I was taught by my Dad. I really liked watching to see how you grind your drill bits, I've learned some things as well. Thanks Adam!

[@allsortsofinterests1]

Learning it the hard hand way definately makes you appreciate and understand the machine. I've been using mrpete and Keith Fenner's methods cobbled together with a combination square angle finder as a guage. I have also found that dressing the edge makes for a longer lasting bit, I use some 1500 grit paper and a small piece of glass to rub it to a mirror edge. Thanks for showing all the angles and stops on the attachment.

[@kellyfreeman9514]

Adam I really enjoy watching you work. you're so precise and what you do .I appreciate watching and learning from you very good at what you do

[@seanrylands8313]

I think your programs are fantastic and can watch them all day ,I learn so much from what you show us thank you keep up the good work, skilled men like you are getting very rare its a dying trade we need to keep it alive

[@Abom79]

Thats the dust collector thats attached to the blast cabinet. Its what separates the trash from the good media when the unit is running.

[@jimmilne19]

Adam, thanks so much for asking about my new lathe (my first one ever). You have been a great encouragement to me here in Greenland. My wife and I moved here 35 years ago; because I could no longer make a living as a pianist, I chose to build buildings. Now I have my own shop 16,000 sq. ft. and the basement is all mine! My grandfather worked on the Hoover Dam as a machinist and my father followed in his footsteps. Now, full circle I can do more refined work rather than buildings and make chips.

[@Abom79]

Tom, I was truly thinking about you when I told that story! I know you've been waiting for dad to jump in and talk some shop stories, but I had to fill in for him when I started filming this video. It was really funny how dad was trying to surprise me with a new tool, and how he gave my grandad the credit for the purchase. I'll never forget it.

[@Abom79]

Being able to sharpen your drills in the shop is an important part of working in the shop. Im happy I was taught the hands on method before I ever relied on the drill grinder. I think its important for people to learn how to hand grind a drill before they rely on a machine to do the job for them, that way they understand how exactly the drill works and the importance of the grinds. it is something to be proud of, and a bit of satisfaction to be able to drill a clean hole because of the hard work

[@robertlawson8572]

"I was taught the hands on method before I ever relied on the drill grinder." I couldn't quite grasp off-hand drill grinding... Until I was taught to use a Brierley ZB32 drill grinder, then, the penny dropped. Off-hand drill grinding of two flute drills became simple. Why? Because I could see the way the machine was working from an ideal point of view. Trying to learn from an experienced craftsman is harder, because you can't position yourself to see through his eyes, plus guys often don't describe their actions particularly well... Then... buoyed by my success at grinding bits with 118 degree points, I tried making a "bottoming bit" The cutting edge goes concave, and a 60 degree included angle gives you a convex edge... and then you realize just how clever the geometry of a drill flute is... Often derided as the simplest of machine shop operations, it's not... If it were, you'd not find yourself going to the rack for a drill bit, only to find the last guy ground it badly, chipped it, blued it, wore out its lands, twisted off its tang etc, leaving you to do the remedial work... And, dammit, the next time you need that bit, it's the same routine...

[@maillotjeanpierre1550]

Very usefull demo. Not sure I am able to do it so well but I am going to give it a try. Thanks for all your great videos Adam.

[@FredMiller]

I liked very much the back story about your father and grand father Adam. It adds a lot of personalization to your videos. Thank you...

[@gdglock]

I like your way of lineing up the drill cutting edge with the scribed line of the Lesli stop lip plate. Lesli direction say to keep the drill edge parallel with the scripe. However, i found i did not get consistent results. Your way did give me a consistant back relief. Thank you for the tip. Yes, i know this is an old video, but i recalled seeing thiis video years ago. Just decided to review it again. Glad i did! Thank you! Greg

[@Abom79]

Thanks Rord, again I'm glad to hear comments like that. I've never thought about an apprentice, I just dont have time to commit to something like that. But I do try and teach people tricks of the trade, or proper use on the machine shop when I can. I work with a few guys at my day job, and get to show them a few things once in a while. I do enjoy helping my friend Gill as much as possible. He and I are pretty close and hes trying to learn the trade, plus hes got some cool tools!

[@Abom79]

Thanks Michael! My dad and grandad are a part of my shop, so I love to include them with what I share.

[@Abom79]

Thanks. The Drill Doctor isnt a bad tool to have. I use the model 750 at work, but I mostly use it for the smaller drill bits. If you get used to working with them you can manage a good grind. I wouldnt mind having one myself because they are faster than setting up the Lisle, but only for the small drill bits.

[@Abom79]

Wow! Thats a big shop!! Thats going to be one hell of a shop! Great to hear about your grandfather, I bet he got to do some cool machine work! Good luck with the new shop Jim, and let us know how things progress!

[@Abom79]

Good deal Mark. Yea my dads been in the shop since he was 18. Hes got alot of experience and I learned a lot from him.

[@paltryengineer]

Hi Adam, great video, this was one of the first things i pestered one of the older guys to teach me and he showed me pretty much what you did with about the same size drill. One of the most useful skills to have especially when you work alot with stainless. keep up the good work mate your videos are excellent

[@Opinionator52]

I like using pilot holes also Adam,,, we could have learned from the same teacher, lol... The only time I really went with a split point was when I ground the drill bit to be used in a bushed fixture... Once the shop did a long run on a part with six, 1/2" holes, done in a fixture,,, and I kept up the drills for that job. I ended up in the same spot sharpening most drill bits. It's something to be proud of when alot of guys start asking! Good video! :o] O,,,

[@Abom79]

Thanks Max. I'm getting more comfy in front of the camera, but as anyone would be I was very nervous when I first started.

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Thank you thank you! I was working on a project at work under the gun deadlines fast approaching the mechanic turns to me and said I need you to make two beefy brackets to hold this new better part on to that prototype unit. Oh and it needs to be adjustable. The drill I needed was broken so i lightly ground till the cutting edge could be sharpen equally by hand. I haven’t do it before but i could remember all the things you talked about grinding cutters back reck and clearances, i worked great just a few bolt holes and a slot was two holes to take out the metal between them. Got it done wasn’t fast but quicker then parts order and brackets fit well.

[@Abom79]

Yes John I have a Cincinnati Bickford box collumn drill press in the middle of the shop. I showed it a little bit in Welcome to My Machine Shop.

[@Abom79]

Thanks Toly! The little grinder works really well and would recommend it to anyone. More machining videos planned and some in the works!

[@Abom79]

I hope to eventually. I just have to have him around during the right time.

[@biglon62]

Thanks Adam for you shop talk videos i just bought a used Enco lathe.I am a mechanic by trade but have always been amazed at machinist work! thanks again

[@firesurfer]

I just smiled when I saw that big bit.

[@Abom79]

Good luck with your new lathe purchase! Hope you get to enjoy using it for lots of cool projects!

[@Abom79]

The machine doesnt do web thinning though. but i have never worried about that. Sonny taught me how to thin a web, and it works good for when you need it, I use the big grinder for that. But most all of my drilling I use pilot holes and not worry about the center cutting of the big drills, just as long as the flute angles are the same. If the angles are correct then your drill will cut good. Im trying to be a little more open and honest for all you viewers. I smile may crack once in a while!

[@bx2200]

I just purchased a Lisle grinder like yours, and I'm looking forward to finally having properly-ground bits! Your video has been invaluable - thanks!

[@Abom79]

Great! Hope you enjoy it. Its always worked well for me.

[@jjgag601]

what wheel did you decide to go with on your 91000

[@muhaahaloa941]

Wow you guys are seriously skilled,Watched all the videos trying to learn how to sharpen drill bits..I have a 20mm drill bit today on a cheap bench grinder,Well i had a chip in my cutting edge from using a too big pilot hole..LOL..Leason leaned..Tried for 2hours today and every time the drill bit would not cut anything..Wow this is going to take some practice..You make it look so easy Adam.

[@Abom79]

The more I learned to do in the shop, the more my dad relied on me to get more done.

[@wadehicks9270]

Really cool. Now I know the best way to hand grind my bits. Thanks for sharing.

[@Abom79]

Thanks Jim. I hope this little bit of info will help you with your hand grinding!

[@jimmilne19]

Yup! Very informative. I'm off to try out what I think I've learned. Nicely done video.

[@rord]

Hi Adam, you have me hooked every vid you do, really like your shop, jealous in fact! Really informative and you make the watcher feel very comfortable with your stories..keep em coming! Greetings from across the pond! Ps, have ever thought about apprentice..I feel sure you could bring a interested young person up to master level with ease!!

[@tommie293]

One of your best videos so far. Great job. Best regards

[@mikereitz4939]

I HAVE ONE OF THESE DRILL GRINDER---THANKS FOR THE VIDEO IT HELPED ME SET MINE UP !!!!

[@tomahoks]

Mike Reitz Great, but no need to shout. Please use small caps next time.

[@donpollard9460]

@@tomahoks a fellow I know, wrote a Safety Manual for a local heritage railway 15 years ago - in capitals and it looked like he was shouting at the Regulator: "You better listen here - we mean what we say ... !" Not only that it was extremely hard to read!

[@tobyw9573]

Looks like this lesson will help me use the cheap drill grinding tool I just bought. The price of this machine would buy me a lifetime supply of bits, but it it WOULD get me back to work in a couple minutes if I damaged a bit in one of many ways or if I wanted to change its cutting properties for a different material or purpose. That would shorten the payback time of the machine considerably. I just went through two General brand drill gauges like the one you showed and they were BOTH defective. Amazon gave me a new one which I returned for refund after I found it defective as well. I would have tried for a third but I went through three Bluetooth keyboards for my iPad and ran out of warranty time when it slipped my mind. Only $15 but this experience and the nature of the errors tells me that almost surely there is a pattern of MFGs sending reject parts to the US. Yet the keyboards showed no sign that there were NO signs of being repackaged - the drill gauges were just parts in a bubble pack. Bottom line: buyer beware, and check your purchases ASAP when you get them, and watch for patterns. And BTW, today I just found that a center drill set may be defective, I have to check my drill press to be sure. They are nice and sharp but the cutting part appears off center, but so is the drill press I find. I will check further when I have time.

[@Abom79]

Thanks Tommie! I really enjoyed making this one.

[@Abom79]

Good to finally see a post from you dad! I told you it wasnt hard. I'll help you this weekend get a picture loaded for your image. I'll have to keep that in mind for another video.

[@hydroy1]

Adam , you forgot to show how to thin the flutes ! If you thin the flutes the center angle don't make so much difference plus on the lath you can really get on the feed faster as the chip has more area to throw the curled chip.

[@gordonagent7037]

Adam great to see a drill sharpening demo on a decent sized drill bit so thanks for that, as always learned heaps. Can you send me some pics of how you store your large MT drills as I can see a rack in the distance but would like a few close ups.... I have a few drills amassed now so just want an idea what to make. Also, I want some of your decals for my workshop, how do I get them. Many thanks, Gordon, AUS

[@ShuffleSk8Ter]

Hi adam maybe your dad was having some fun with you and teasing you because in them old days no one used a machine like this.... it was all hand done ...my father when he was young worked for Borg&Warner as a machinshop foreman ...my dad taught me some very interesting things too..so i know how you feel ... for me it was much later in my adult life that i really understood and or appreciate what our dad teaches us...

[@Golfing422]

I used to put tips on the huge drills by hand. These days we don't use anything over an inch that isn't indexible but I freehand many smaller drills, or freehand and finish off on the black diamond. I've probably done 15000 drills in a lifetime.

[@donpollard9460]

Nice!

[@Abom79]

if your machining or drilling a bunch of stainless you better know how to sharpen a drill bit thats for sure! great story, thanks for sharing!

[@ratsbuggy]

Just bought the exact same grinder. This is the only decent video for the Lisle 91000. Thanks Adam

[@Abom79]

+ratsbuggy Awesome! These are great little drill grinders that don’t break the bank.

[@Iwished4]

I learned shits loads of tips and tricks from you.

[@oxtoolco]

Hey Adam, I like the story about your grand dad buying you a drill grinder. Will that Lisle do web thinning? Nice video. I see you smiling a little now. Keep having fun. Best, Tom

[@AaronBelknap]

I know this is an older video, but catching up. I think I'm on SNS 50 something. I love your video's and I have some old drill bits to try this out on. I have a Drill Dr. and I don't think it works the greatest, at least for precision work anyways. My chisel tip ends up slanted.....

[@bulletbegone355]

I have trouble with rubbing despite the fact that I try to get the relief angle like you do. I'm getting better though.

[@smithbuilt]

So how about if possible re-grinding some milling cutters? As I could do with a good detailed informative video on how to do it and what to do it on?

[@bsteleven]

Great video Thanks for all the information about the lisle sharpening fixture Just what I needed!

[@NSTRAPPERHUNTER]

Great info. and thanks for sharing with us.

[@tom7601]

Great video, as usual.

[@brssgirl]

nice action of the wrist...just like I used to do 40 year sago

[@bx2200]

I've been wanting a tool like this for awhile, but didn't know that the Lisle existed. Thanks for a really helpful video. One question: what's the grit on the white wheel you're using?

[@Abom79]

I cant remember the exact grit the wheel is now, its been soo long since I have installed it. That is the original grinding wheel that came with the grinder.

[@Buckrun11]

I did a video on grinding drill bits a while back. We do it pretty much the same way. I have a machine that is a drill grinder but by the time I get it set up I could have done it by hand and been back to working on the project.

[@Abom79]

I can set up the drill grinder and have a fresh ground drill but in not much more time than hand grinding, especially if I keep missing the angle because of free handing. I like the Lisle because it makes a perfect grind every time. I love a drill that drills on size.

[@christurley391]

I was hoping you knew the original grit, grade, and diameter of the wheel. Finally found a drill grinder of my own but the wheel is near gone. Lisle never answered the email. The original wheels last so long perhaps they would still be selling them if they made a bit more money on replacement wheels. lol

[@josepimann7384]

drill bit grinding ia very underrated skill. i need to get mine to passable.

[@josepimann7384]

i need to learn how to free hand sharpen drill bits.

[@tylercunningham3275]

Love the stories about your family, are we ever going to meet your dad?

[@GearheadOutlaw]

Hey man how's going? Could you do a video about drill bits and recommendations for drill press and hand power drills. Also what do you think about the Austrian made Alpen drill bits?

[@somaaelsapak6361]

Very nice exelente work thanks sir for that

[@howarddean8556]

Hi Adam, First let me say that I have enjoyed and learned a lot from your videos despite having been a trained engineer for over 50 years. I have purchased new a small lathe, would I be reasonable in expecting it to handle a piece of mild steel the same size as the chuck on the slowest feed rate and with a small 1/16 cut?

[@hankus253]

Adam I may have missed this in your shop tour, but what is the large tall grey enclosure next to your blast cabinet in that far corner?

[@literoadie3502]

Hi Adam, Why not set a little fence at 59 deg. to the periphery of the wheel so you only have to worry about the length of the cutting edges and the clearance?

[@Abom79]

+Lite Roadie I suppose it more manly and old school to do it completely free hand.

[@donpollard9460]

@@Abom79 Besides, for some drills, the angle changes ...

[@dougankrum3328]

..Lisle...used to make some awesome tools....

[@carrollprice1213]

It would be helpful to beginners to show or mention the chuck speed being used.

[@rogerfossette2097]

Adam, just a couple of stupid questions.. 1 why is it you use stick welding for just about everything, is it a confident thing or what... 2. Looking for a milling machine... It's a hobby to me as well but I never realized the different kinds... For a good start up machine maybe a little more can you suggest a type, and name brand with a rough cost...I thank you and I enjoy watching how much you do like your profession...Rog

[@johnniebooth5723]

mulletmac3 checking in here .how about a showing how well the drills cut after sharpening on the drill grinder.just my 2centsyour dad.

[@laurentcnc6662]

I really like to see the smile of your face, Adam ;-)

[@darex-industrialdrillsharp8401]

Awesome video! We should work on getting a Darex in your shop ;)

[@EvilMonkey137]

At my shop/work we do bits all by hand on a pedastal grinder all the way up to 2inch bits

[@batch5626]

Cool vid, good tips.

[@surveywaters]

Hey Adam, I have a Lisle like yours, serial #1030. It cuts way too much clearance ok the bits. Any tips? I have the three lined clearance adjusted to the bottom line which the instructions say is the least amount of clearance, but my web is at about a 45deg to the cutter.

[@grntitan1]

Good stuff!!! I now see where I've F'd all mine up. LOL

[@johns9926]

Adam: Maybe I have not been looking very well, but do you have drill press in the shop. I know you drill with your mill and lathe? John

[@ThomasShue]

I bet you could set the machine at a different angle as a second stage to do split points.

[@aryesegal1988]

Thanks a lot, Adam! :] Learned a lot from this :]

[@HWPcville]

Thanks for posting. Do you have to take into account the diameter of the grind wheel? i.e. as it gets progressively smaller from wear would you have to make an adjustment to the drill bit setting used earlier (say after 100 hours of grinding) for the same drill bit?

[@HWPcville]

HWPcville I think I realized the answer after watching. The feed adjustment takes care of advancing the drill until it touches the wheel regardless of diameter. On another question, do you have a recommendation on a drill bit grinder since your model is no longer available?

[@TanTan-ni4mg]

Duhhhh.

[@CncObsession]

Nice lesson. Thanks

[@tomherd4179]

Abom, I have the same Lisle 91000 grinder, and usually wait until I have a number of drills to sharpen at once. Maybe that says I mess up more that I should ? Anyway - I have a PDF operation file on it if anyone wants a copy. Thanks, Tom

Sorry missed the'n' in contribution !

[@brianfoley4519]

i like my black and webster drill grinder for small drills......

[@dazmaz4356]

I do it freehand by eye-hand coordination.

[@s2hjt]

Great but what about the sub 5mm drill bits. My eyes aren't as good as they were. Those are the ones that I have trouble with.

[@Peter-V_00]

Drill Doctor

[@billythebake]

MerlinxPV - the Drill Dr. Should be sued for malpractice...

[@Peter-V_00]

@@billythebake I suppose if you're illiterate or inept maybe but used correctly it produces great results.

[@electromechanicalstuff2602]

What size stones on that queen City grinder 10"*2" or 12"*2"

[@Abom79]

12x2

[@electromechanicalstuff2602]

@@Abom79 awesome I think I have the same grinder I didn't know much about it I put 12*2 wheels on it but wasn't sure if maybe they where too big since they barely fit kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYTQm4aAm9tnrcU

[@Alcigexed]

Very Nice! Thank You.

[@felixantoniodasilvaantonio2404]

dispositivo muito bom, gostei!!

[@tomahoks]

5 years ago. Ive been a subber for only 5-6weeks.....

[@SlowEarl1]

Very cool thanks

[@magnusnielsen2648]

good stuff!thanx!

[@guntimes9908]

Watching Sept 2018

[@jemijona]

Watching 29/08/2020. :)

[@Bookerb2004]

I'm watching this stuff all dat

[@jeepmanxj]

Off hand grinding is a bitch.

[@bcatt-oq2mk]

ear plugs

[@2008koss]

way, way too complicated, have a look at DAREX drill grinders.

[@Abom79]

Not too complicated for me, I get a perfect grind every time.

[@vows2sweden]

10 minutes of talking? ok that´s it.....