drill doctor

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ahoiberg

ahoiberg

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this might be a stupid question, but can you do odd sized drill bits (such as the ones we use for pens) and metric bits in the drill doctor? all i read on the product info was sizes from 3/32 to 3/4 or whatever and i assume you can use any size but i didn't know if there were set sizes or what...

also, how often does the diamond wheel need replacing from your experience?

thanks.
 
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Yes, you can do any size that falls within the minimum and maximum specs for the DD. Get the 750 model, it goes up to 3/4 and can do split points. I haven't yet worn out the diamond wheel so I can't respond to that part of the question.
 
I install kitchen cabinets for a living and used to go through two to three drill bits a week! A couple of years ago I got the Drill Doctor. I collected about 20 bits, I only really use one size (5/32"), and have been sharpening them ever since. I still haven't worn out the wheel.

As Rifleman says I think it would be a long, long time before you wore out the wheel in a home shop.

I figured my DD paid for itself in about 4 months.
 
As I recall, the web site used to mention 200 resharpenings. Don't know if that still holds; but one thing that will affect the longevity of the wheel is the size bit you sharpen. If you do a lot of big bits, the wheel won't last nearly as long as when you are only sharpening smaller bits.

Another thing you can do to help.....and I have confirmed this with a call to Drill Doctor a while age, even though it doesn't show on the web site, is to take the wheel off and turn it around after it gets worn. Maybe instructions that come with the DD carry this tip. The instructions that came with mine did not; but I have an older unit that was not designed to allow the user to change the wheel. You had to send the unit back to the factory for a new wheel. In actual practice, though, someone that was reasonably handy with a wrench and a screwdriver could take those old units apart and change the wheels themselves.

Concerning your question about the metric range of the DD, the 500 would be about 3mm to 12.5 mm and the 750 would go up to about 19mm.
 
thanks for the replies everyone. that's what i figured but just wanted to make sure before i got one (for christmas hopefully! [:)]).

so can this drill doctor make even those crappy china bits worth while? the reason i haven't made too many cigars is that my 10mm bit is just duller than dull and it seems like it's been that way since i bought it. lesson learned on cheap drill bits i guess. then i moved on to other kits so i hope that i can sharpen that one up and do a few more...
 
Originally posted by ahoiberg
<br />...so can this drill doctor make even those crappy china bits worth while? the reason i haven't made too many cigars is that my 10mm bit is just duller than dull and it seems like it's been that way since i bought it. lesson learned on cheap drill bits i guess. then i moved on to other kits so i hope that i can sharpen that one up and do a few more...
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No, the Drill Doctor will only sharpen American and German made drill bits.
 
George is kidding. It will make a cheap bit sharp,,,,,,,,,,for now. How long it stays that way depends on how cheap the bit is. Also, it will not sharpen brad point bits. I had a couple and ground off the brat point and can now use my DD on them. It is just awesome to know it's under the bench when I need it. Which is usualy on a sunday evening after the Borg closes.
 
Originally posted by stevers
<br />.....Also, it will not sharpen brad point bits. I had a couple and ground off the brat point and can now use my DD on them.
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But it will sharpen split point bits or make split point bits out of standard twist bits. I've never used split point bits; but they are supposed to be better than the standard ones. Maybe someone with a little personal experience can comment?
 
I have made the split points from a standard drill and they can start into the wood a bit better, it's like having a small drill bit on the end of your larger bit to start the drilling for you.
 
Originally posted by Randy_
<br />
Originally posted by stevers
<br />.....Also, it will not sharpen brad point bits. I had a couple and ground off the brat point and can now use my DD on them.
Click to expand...

But it will sharpen split point bits or make split point bits out of standard twist bits. I've never used split point bits; but they are supposed to be better than the standard ones. Maybe someone with a little personal experience can comment?
Click to expand...


Randy, Firefyter is right. I use a split-point 7mm or "O" from Woodcraft as my pilot hole when drilling larger holes (using the lathe). For the final holes, I use the HF 144 bit set.
 
I did a couple of split points with my 750. the process is basically free hand and not accurate anough for me. the advantages of the split point are not enough for me to fiddle with. the idea behind the split point is to stop the bit from wondering as it starts the hole. in a drill press this is not an issue. for free hand drilling that has to be accurate I use a center punch anyway. so still no need for the split point.
 
Originally posted by ahoiberg
<br />thanks for the replies everyone. that's what i figured but just wanted to make sure before i got one (for christmas hopefully! [:)]).

so can this drill doctor make even those crappy china bits worth while? the reason i haven't made too many cigars is that my 10mm bit is just duller than dull and it seems like it's been that way since i bought it. lesson learned on cheap drill bits i guess. then i moved on to other kits so i hope that i can sharpen that one up and do a few more...
Click to expand...

The 39 cent China bits that CS sells for $5.00 to $12.00 each need sharpening before they are usable. I sharpen on my DD and they are OK,,,,,,well....sorta.
 
I have the HF Tn coated set and a DD 750. It sharpens them just fine, and I've converted a few to split point. I like them and will probably go that route on future sharpenings.
 
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