Regardless of whether you’re a home handyman or a professional tradesperson, a drill (and drill bits) is undoubtedly an essential tool of the trade that’s used on a regular basis. Over time, with repeated use, drill bits can become worn down and rendered ineffective. At this point, you’d generally need to throw out your dull drill bits and acquire a new set, but what if there was a better solution that ends up costing less in the long run.
The best option to extend the life of your drill bits is investing in a drill bit sharpener. These fantastic devices effortlessly sharpen your drill bits, giving them a new lease on life. After all, having sharper drill bits means better work efficiency and accuracy.
There are various drill bit sharpener models available on the market, and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, it can be tricky to find a suitable model. But don’t worry, we’ve done the hard yards and reviewed the four best sharpeners on the market.
Drill Doctor DD750X-min
This titanium Drill Doctor 750x is designed for professionals who need a versatile drill bit sharpener for everyday use. It can sharpen various drill bits.
Best Drill Bit Sharpener Australia – Buyers Guide
There are various models available, including electric drill bit sharpeners, benchtop models, attachments for a bench grinder, and portable designs that attach to your drill.
This buying guide will run you through the different features to look out for so you can make an informed decision when purchasing your new drill sharpener machine.
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Drill Doctor DD750X |
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Bayer B65MS Multi-Task Sharpener-min |
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check price |
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Draper Drill Grinding Attachment-min |
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see price on amazon
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Drill Doctor DDXP-B 2.5mm – 13mm Drill Bit Sharpener-min |
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check price |
Types of Sharpeners
There are three primary types of drill bit sharpeners; benchtop electric drill bit sharpeners, drill powered grinders, and old school sharpening stones. Although, as technology evolves, these are fast being replaced with efficient and cost-effective powered options.
Weight and Size
It’s best to consider where and how the drill bit sharpener will be used. For example, if you have a small workshop with limited space, you need a tool that doesn’t take up too much room. If you are moving it around frequently, you want to ensure it’s not too heavy to do so easily.
Power Source
Electric drill bit sharpeners are usually benchtop models with a dedicated power cable for operation. Therefore these are best suited to home or workshop use where they don’t need to be moved around or used on site.
However, if you need a more portable option, you may want to consider a sharpener that attaches to and uses the power of your drill’s battery. This option gives the ultimate flexibility as you can sharpen your bits on the go at a moment’s notice.
Grinding Wheel Material
Grits is the term used to describe how coarse the surface of the grinding wheel is; for example, a 180 grit wheel is generally considered a fine surface, whereas a 100 grit wheel is deemed to be coarse. For example, a coarse grinding wheel is best for sharpening cobalt drill bits as it will cut the material more effectively and last longer [1].
Applications
Some drill bit sharpeners are multi-functional and can sharpen things like scissors, chisels, and other metal blades, whereas many models are specifically designed for drill bits.
Reading our review about the Milwaukee drill bit sharpener will provide you detailed information about it.
It’s essential to consider the type and size of the drill bits you’ll be sharpening. Certain machines cater to specific sizes and bit types. For example, you might find a drill attachment can’t accommodate the same size bits as a benchtop sharpener. Versatility and compatibility are important when it comes to selecting the right model.
Drill Bit Sharpener Reviews in Australia
1. Drill Doctor DD750X – Best Overall
Why we love it:
The Drill Doctor DD750x sharpener is easy to use and light enough to move around easily, although it needs to be plugged into power, so it’s best used in a workshop environment rather than on-site. It comes with a 3-year warranty covered by Drill Doctor. Safe to say, this tool will give you a good return on investment.
This titanium Drill Doctor 750x is designed for professionals who need a versatile drill bit sharpener for everyday use. It can sharpen various drill bits, including HHS (high-speed steel), carbide, masonry, cobalt, and parabolic twist drill bits, and it can bring blunt bits back to life in under a minute.
It can sharpen up to 19mm diameter bits and sharpens to a 115° or 140° point angle. Versatility is the name of the game with this tool.
2. Bayer B65MS Multi-Task Sharpener
Why we love it:
The B65MS is a great addition to any home handyman’s workshed. It’s versatile enough to keep a large variety of tools sharp and ready for use at a moment’s notice. Plus, the diamond sharpening wheel will ensure you can work on the toughest of materials without concern.
The Bayer B65MS is not just a drill sharpener machine, it can also sharpen your scissors, chisel, knives, and other blades. It features a diamond sharpening wheel and adjustable angles to expertly sharpen a wide range of tools.
It can mount on your bench for easy access and easily restores drill bits ranging in size from 3 to 13mm, and a blade measuring anywhere from 6 to 51mm wide.
This is a super versatile sharpener that comes with three separate moulds for different applications. It’s an excellent entry-level device that won’t cost an arm and a leg.
3. Draper Drill Grinding Attachment
Why we love it:
This sharpener attaches to your bench grinder and does a better job than sharpening your drill bits freehand. It can take a little bit of fiddling around to get it set up, but there are many YouTube videos that walk through the process if you’re having any difficulties.
If you already have a bench grinder and don’t want to add an entirely new machine to the workshop, then the Draper Drill Grinding Attachment is a great option. It offers fast and accurate sharpening of HSS twist drill bits from 3mm-19mm. The diecast body has pre-set notches at 41°, 49°, 59°, 68°, and 88°, which cover most tip angle requirements.
4. Drill Doctor DDXP-B 2.5mm – 13mm Drill Bit Sharpener
Why we love it:
This is another excellent sharpener from Drill Doctor and would suit professional or home use. It has a wide range of applications and works seamlessly. However, it doesn’t have an option to fasten this to the bench. It’s well priced if you’re looking to purchase a reliable and easy-to-use drill bit sharpener.
The DDXP-B has a powerful, permanent magnet motor for smooth operation and consistent power regardless of load or speed. The diamond grinding wheel is long-lasting and durable, although it is replaceable, so you don’t need a whole new machine when it eventually wears out. You can adjust the twist point angle from 118° to 135°, and it works for a wide range of bits, including HSS, TiN Coated, Masonry, Cobalt, Carbide, and Parabolic twist drills.
It also features longer chuck jaws to hold bits more accurately, and the jaw guides eliminate jaw twisting on small bits. The “Push to Stop” drill point splitting port helps to prevent over-splitting the bit point.
The Verdict
The Drill Doctor DD750X is our top pick for electric drill bit sharpeners. It offers seamless performance and has the flexibility to sharpen a wide range of bits and the durability to withstand workshop conditions. This is a popular choice for professionals, but if you’re serious about sharpening, it’s also an excellent option for home as well.
The best budget option is the Bayer B65MS. Not only does it sharpen drill bits but also a range of other blades. It’s a great entry-level model and best suited to home use.
FAQs
Drill bit sharpeners are designed to take the guesswork out sharpening old bits. They work by clamping the drill bit at a precise and constant angle while it’s sharpened by the wheel.
You need to place the drill bit into the jig and then set the correct angle. The grinding wheel will remove the exact amount of drill bit you selected [2].
Some drill bit sharpeners are stand-alone machines, whereas others work in combination with a bench grinder.
First of all, you need a drill bit grinder. Safety is important when using any electrical device, so we’d always recommend wearing safety gloves and safety goggles.
Because drill bits can become hot during the grinding process, a good tip is to have a bowl of ice water so you can cool the drill bit quickly [3].
References
