Hi Ronnie,
My background is as a machinist and a cutting tool manufacturer's rep. Most
of the hardware store/Sears drill bits are not that good. Even the top of the
line bits sold at detail are less in quality then what a machine shop would
buy. Better metal and grinding are the key. The way around that however is if
you can hand sharpen your own drills. Keeping a lower quality bit shape is
the answer. It takes time to develop the technique to properly shapen a drill
bit. The standard angle is 118 degrees (included) or 59 degrees for each
cutting edge. You can buy, or for that matter, I have a few drill bit angle
templates left over from my sales days. I'll send you one if you give me your
address. Just remember, you'll need a good flat dress on the grinding wheel
and several old drills to practice with. I'd start with a big drill, 1/2"
verses a 1/8" to practice with.
Good luck
Steve Harvey
Milwaukee (COLD)
Ronnie Day wrote:
> Okay,
>
> Since it's the weekend and some of the group at Doheny I thought I'd
> throw this question out. Where you folks get your drill bits, and do you
> sharpen them or just replace them? It seems like either the bits that I
> use are either dull or cheap cast pieces that snap if you look at them
> crooked.
>
> You can get bit sharpeners, I think, and I've seen jigs that are designed
> to be used with a bench grinder. Does the Sears Craftsman lifetime
> garamtee cover drill bits, too?
>
> Later, Ron
>
> Ronnie Day
> ronday@home.com
> ------------------
> Dallas/Ft. Worth
> ------------------
> '71 510 2-dr (Prepared Class Autocrosser)
> '73 510 2-dr (Street Toy)
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