How to Sharpen Drill Bits

It’s no secret that sharper drill bits drill faster and with less effort, and give a cleaner hole. Naturally sharpening drill bits your self is more cost effective than constantly purchasing new bits. But, you may be asking yourself, “How do I sharpen drill bits?” Well here are some ways to sharpen drill bits of various types.

• Twist Bits: Can be sharpened with a drill sharpener, grindstone jig or oilstone*. Shaping the drill tip’s angle correctly is essential for efficient cutting.
  
  
• Screwdriver: See Twist Bits above.
  
  
• Masonry: A drill sharpener or grindstone can sharpen tungsten carbide tips.
  
  
• Spur Point: Must be done by hand: sharpen the point and spurs with a fine file or edge of a fine grindstone; the correct angle between point and spurs is 90 degrees.
  
  
• Counter Sink: Can be sharpened with a fine triangular file.
  
  
• Tile Bit: The hard tungsten carbide and curved edge make sharpening difficult, but it can be carefully sharpened using an oilstone.
  
  
• Flat Wood Bit: Sharpen with a fine file, oilstone or grindstone.
  
  
• Forstner Bit: Sharpen on an oilstone or with a fine file.
  
  
• Wood Auger: A fine file or oilstone can be used to sharpen the spur and edges.
  
  

*Note: Titanium Nitride bits can’t be sharpened without ruining the coating.