Watch Wes Work from patreon - How I Sharpen Drill Bits

I LOVE the didactic videos!

GoatBreath

2024-10-07 20:17:56 +0000 UTC

I did something similar to that, but I will also adopt the WWW-approved method, it is a bit easier and more predictable.

Richard Pruen

2024-08-12 15:14:48 +0000 UTC

+1 for rotor broaches. I used them when making small Ts in high-pressure steam lines (for steam traps and reducing valves) and a magnetic pipe-clamped drill press. They are fantastic for very quick and tidy holes.

Richard Pruen

2024-08-12 15:11:34 +0000 UTC

Yes, the type with all the cutting faces ground in a line by removing a sector of the cone. You can grind those back with a diamond wheel, but it is slow, and you have to grind all the faces to sharpen one blunt one. I'd say it's not cost-effective, but it can get you out of a pinch if needed. It's a shame these videos aren't popular, these things are super interesting to me.

Richard Pruen

2024-08-12 15:00:50 +0000 UTC

I suppose you could sharpen them with some practice. I've never tried it.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:47:12 +0000 UTC

I guess I didn’t know any better since that was how I was taught.

Greg G.

2024-08-12 00:46:23 +0000 UTC

Have you ever used Rotor Broaches? They are so nice for thin metal. I used to make a product from 11 gauge square tube and we drill all the holes with them.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:46:12 +0000 UTC

That way works too. I just find it a little more awkward.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:44:48 +0000 UTC

Something along those lines!

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:44:01 +0000 UTC

Maybe even 3 dozen!

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:43:25 +0000 UTC

I think that's a pretty small market.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:43:04 +0000 UTC

I don't know the answer for step bits. I have sharpened the tips, but the actual steps would be a challenge.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:42:23 +0000 UTC

They are trying out wheeled robots here too. They take 4-5 days to cover a field, but they don't need human intervention. They can refill and recharge automatically. They have cameras that find the weeds and spray only as needed.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:40:36 +0000 UTC

I should have. Even some marker would have helped.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:39:08 +0000 UTC

I love that approach. YouTube is basically just a big computer, and it loves to put people into neat categories. When you don't fit nicely into any category it gets very confused.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:38:27 +0000 UTC

I wish I had a go to source for 3D printing.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-12 00:36:12 +0000 UTC

Great video, more please.

Bill Scott

2024-08-10 16:56:35 +0000 UTC

I'm a non-mechanic and non-machinist but a habitual futzer. I really enjoyed this and can see it took a good amount of work to produce. Thanks. I'll certainly watch for more of this sort.

bjedg

2024-08-09 04:29:20 +0000 UTC

Yes. I use super thin .035 cut off wheels. They'll probably lodge in an artery someday, but I love them.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-07 02:37:53 +0000 UTC

Thinking when you cut off the damaged bits you used a cutoff wheel, but how did you keep from overheating it? Just go slow?

Tim Parsons

2024-08-07 00:18:07 +0000 UTC

For what it's worth, your practical demos and graphics are really, really good. The video where you go through the control system of the robo-logger is in my opinion one of your best videos. Although the subject matter in this video is a lot dryer, the demos make it interesting. As someone who sharpens his drills bits all the time, I also learned new things from this. I've never bothered to try and do a split point and it was really interesting to see how it's done and the WHY I would want to do it.

Patrick Filion

2024-08-06 11:57:29 +0000 UTC

Wes, you are a fantastic conveyer of knowledge. Don't work yourself too hard, but I'd love to learn more of the tidbits you've got tucked away.

Shane McQuoid

2024-08-06 08:44:59 +0000 UTC

Deeply appreciate the tutorial Wes, hopefully you'll do more like this in the future. I pretty well figured out standard points when I worked in a woodshop. We had a bucket of dull bits, one dead afternoon I went through and spent a few hours in front of the grinder teaching myself. Split points kind of escaped me though. I work in a tractor shop nowadays and our bench grinder wheel is about as far from even, straight and sharp as you can get but I might have to get myself a small grinder of my own for bit sharpening. Any excuse to buy a tool right? lmao I assume pilot points and the other fancy bits are probably not really sharpenable by the average Joe?

Michael Snow

2024-08-06 04:07:25 +0000 UTC

This is an awesome example of a task that sounds easy, but requires a bit of finesse. I'll be sure to give this a shot on some of my older drill bits!

Keith Mezzina

2024-08-05 23:58:51 +0000 UTC

I like this sort of video, thank you for doing it. You're a clever man, there're no flies on you Wes...

Alan Wood

2024-08-05 20:43:17 +0000 UTC

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to make it. I have to often drill 9/16 holes in 16 ga cold rolled square tubing for my work. My boss could sharpen them and tried teaching me but I never got it. Wore out the grind stone on the Drill Doctor. I'll spend some time working on my bits with my new found WWW knowledge. We get birds in our warehouse here in hotter than hell Texas. most can't figure it out and I find them dead. One time, the bird's friends sat on the ground int the opening and called out to it for an hour or so and it finally flew down to them.

scottgm321

2024-08-05 17:48:08 +0000 UTC

That was the best instruction on bit sharpening I have ever seen. great models, excellent descriptions.

Joe Sapiro

2024-08-05 16:27:49 +0000 UTC

Brilliant video. Perfectly clear. Best video on this topic I've ever seen. The use of those large-scale models on the plywood background was an inspired way to get your points across. Separately, on those flies, I get a once-a-year plague of flies (common filth flies) in my house. I have found that old-fashioned flypaper rolls are cheap and work well. Looks like sin, but you only need to have them up until the flies abate. Tack them up next to your windows, because that's where the flies congregate. For any given density of flies per cubic foot, there is some corresponding area of flypaper that will handle them. You just have to be sure to tack them up where you won't touch them.

Christopher Hogan

2024-08-05 13:25:04 +0000 UTC

I personally welcomed this video and your technique for sharpening. I was shown how to sharpen drills back in the mid 80's by a machinist. He taught me to start with placing the cutting edge of the bit against the grinding wheel first and roll the bit upwards. I had pretty decent results I thought. And you are definitely correct in saying as the web gets thicker difficulty goes up. Sometimes I give up when the web gets too thick. I'm definitely going to try your method. I hope you put more of these type videos out. I like all of your content. Keep up the great work Wes!

Greg G.

2024-08-05 13:05:50 +0000 UTC

Great footage Wes!

Sean Glennon

2024-08-05 12:47:15 +0000 UTC

I think I've bought every drill sharpener gizmo ever invented and none of them work well. Thanks for the lesson! Now I guess I've gotta buy a 3D printer?!?! Oh no! Oh, and better quality bits!!

Sammy Fender

2024-08-05 12:43:29 +0000 UTC

Excellent video. Thanks for the 3d files as well. Perhaps a high voltage fly zapper as your next project? ;-)

Andrew Burton

2024-08-05 08:31:40 +0000 UTC

Although I haven't a bench grinder, I thought this video was informative and interesting. I, personally, would watch more of your how to videos. Thanks Wes.

Curtis Coon

2024-08-05 05:30:39 +0000 UTC

I have to say this one was a little dry, likely because of my level of interest/engagement with the topic. I have no concern about wherever my donation is being spent - it's a gift. Make the videos you want to make and I'll watch them. Sorry about the flies. I'm sure they won't live through the Winter.

Bill

2024-08-05 04:21:57 +0000 UTC

This was really cool and should be linked from the hobbyist machinists forums as soon as it goes public. (An audience of dozens!) Anyway I liked it.

Mark Rages

2024-08-05 04:21:28 +0000 UTC

If you are going to sell the drill guides, consider making them on your plasma cutter instead of printing them.

Ry Jones

2024-08-05 01:50:51 +0000 UTC

You mention not bothering with cheap drills. I have a drill about a half inch in diameter that caught when I was drilling and actually untwisted without breaking. Luckily I had the T handle on the drill so I didn't break my wrist. In any case, I have a few drills that need some work so I'll give this a shot. As for the type of video, I'll watch whatever you do as I have for several years. Keep it up.

Merritt Derr

2024-08-05 00:48:36 +0000 UTC

Loved the intro, lost interest 10 minutes in. I have a drill sharpener that I am still figuring out but it seems to work.

Tom Hollowell

2024-08-05 00:15:10 +0000 UTC

I appreciate the video. I use my Drill Dr for smaller bits, but I have several 1”+ bits that need some attention. I normally would send them out, but I’ll give your method a shot.

Lee Ludden

2024-08-04 23:48:39 +0000 UTC

Excellent video, very informative and easy to follow. Turns out I do the same, but approach the wheel differently. It does the same thing however. For smaller drills I use a finer wheel 120 grit, I find that easier as less material is removed. How about step drills? I’ve had limited success using a diamond wheel on a die grinder, but there is lots of material to remove it is probably cheaper to buy a new drill. Though I am using a cheap Chinese aluminium with diamond dust coating wheel, that doesn’t help. You probably make special drills, for doing helicoils in awkward spots, if turning the drill with a spanner (wrench) a pilot point can help keep it centred and I think it helps drill straight too. I’d like more of these vids, when you can.

Richard Pruen

2024-08-04 23:34:00 +0000 UTC

Helpful lesson. Years since I sharpened my last bit. Bought replacements new recently.

Roger Howell

2024-08-04 22:53:51 +0000 UTC

Well done I should have gotten my dad to show me, he had that skill. I'll give it a try.

Eric Corse

2024-08-04 21:42:48 +0000 UTC

The bird in the shop reminds me of Geoffrey from CEE Australia

Anthony deFreitas

2024-08-04 20:45:50 +0000 UTC

Nicely done. Especially like the addition of printed props to highlight aspects.

Tom Rolfe

2024-08-04 20:43:39 +0000 UTC

these kind of videos are interesting, id love to watch some more of them!

Robin Gustavsson

2024-08-04 20:13:32 +0000 UTC

Thanks Wes, I've been manually sharpening drill bits for years but the method I use is entirely my own invention, having never had anyone to show me the "right" way. I'm going to give your method a whirl but I'll need to buy a new wheel for the grinder first!

David Yates

2024-08-04 19:31:53 +0000 UTC

Awesome Video Wes. I knew nothing about drill sharpening before and now I know enough to be dangerous. Thank you for the effort! I appreciate it.

Chris Jenkins

2024-08-04 18:51:51 +0000 UTC

They're great. I don't know how you sharpen them.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-04 18:50:12 +0000 UTC

Great video as always. Any additional comments on step drills? Worth using/sharpening?

Gary Rogerson

2024-08-04 18:39:04 +0000 UTC

1min Hi Wes,Great video. I used to hand sharpen all of my drills. One year my wife was trying to find me a Christmas gift and came up with a Drill Dr. Took about 15 mins to figure it out. Now it takes me about a minute to sharpen a drill. Perfect every time. It's really just an alignment jig and a small grinding stone. I don't even have to put on the safety goggles.

Dr. Internet

2024-08-04 18:34:05 +0000 UTC

I like it

Chris

2024-08-04 18:33:20 +0000 UTC

Great video, I remember being taught this 35 years ago but this was a really well executed refresher and explanation... and it had crop dusting! Would absolutely watch more like this. Thanks Wes

Max Chaplin

2024-08-04 17:45:04 +0000 UTC

Nicely executed and described, you pretty much hit everything Ive learned in the machine shop about sharpening drills, getting the right amount of relief behind the cutting edge seems to be a real sticking point for a lot of people, not too much or your edge will fail, not enough and you wont cut. +1 for the cheap drill warning, I have a cheap set of Silver and Deming style drills that have maybe 1" of actual tool steel at the business end fused to a mild steel shank, once the tool steel is gone you might as well be using a stick of string cheese.

Greg

2024-08-04 17:01:34 +0000 UTC

That's a pretty neat video. I always like learning stuff. I've tried my hand at sharpening a few times with varying success.

K H

2024-08-04 16:47:48 +0000 UTC

The crop dusters use the same field alignment navigation the tractors have for "auto steer," which gives a solid basis for setting up drone flights. The drones probably need more refilling stops to load product, but have an advantage in being able to get much lower to the "hard deck" for product delivery, reducing quantity needed.

CapnMac82

2024-08-04 16:47:44 +0000 UTC

Funny about the flies, I kept trying to skootch them off my screen (midges like my monitor :-) ) We here in DFW have skeeters and they are hungry 24/7 noe of this dawn or dusk business. o_O

CapnMac82

2024-08-04 16:44:05 +0000 UTC

Good to see the fam helping out. Also, excellent use of 3d printed props. I might have dipped the dull bits in some dycum to better "show" the grinding. The trick there is making sure it's communicated as a "for illustration only" step.

CapnMac82

2024-08-04 16:41:59 +0000 UTC

Oh yes! Please more of this tribal knowledge! I'm about to buy my first good/expensive drill bit set and knowing how to extent its life makes the spend so much less painful! And great intro! :-) Thanks for that laugh :-D

Cub

2024-08-04 16:34:31 +0000 UTC

You seem to think that your channel needs to "be" something -- something pigeonholed, something describable in a sound bite and never varying from that. I guess I would argue the other way. As you say towards the end of this video, you sometimes have useful scraps of knowledge rattling around inside your noggin. When those scraps naturally find an outlet, make the video. I'll watch. I also prefer the more didactic approach anyway. As a lifetime woodworker only now (in retirement) getting into metalcrafts, I often wonder things like "why that solvent?", "what type of grease are you supposed to use here?", "how much heat is okay to use?"; things like that. That's more of that tribal knowledge that too often goes unsaid.

David Myers

2024-08-04 16:20:35 +0000 UTC

Great video. Wish it was around 18 years ago when I was teaching myself how to sharpen bits. I've actually gotten quite good at it over the years but I have never tried the split tip. My grinding wheels are never in good enough shape for that. Most of my sharpening has been on smaller bits as well being as my work was either firearms or automotive. Occasionlly i sharpen as big as 1/2" but most common would be 1/4" or smaller I'd say. Recently I was scrolling marketplace and saw an unused Drill Dr for sale for $20! So I jumped on that. I keep it close to my drill press. It does a nicer job and will do split points for me. It's nice to have but only because I got it so cheap. Flies are killing us in Iowa too.

Curtis Roberts

2024-08-04 15:52:56 +0000 UTC

Excellent job Wes. Love not throwing something away just because it was used. And do I have some dull bits.

Jon Koferl

2024-08-04 15:45:55 +0000 UTC

That was a nice change of pace and very interesting. I enjoy seeing that level of detail and the reasoning behind it and would definitely watch similar videos. I have a Drill Doctor and it does a decent job for my home shop but I always thought the diamond wheel was a little too coarse.

Greg Thompson

2024-08-04 15:38:17 +0000 UTC

Yeah, I just scrap them. Sometimes you can grind them into custom punches or other tools. If you're really scrappy you could make them into damascus knife steel.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-04 15:29:17 +0000 UTC

Excellent explanation, demonstration and examples. Camera angles and lighting were also very well done. Thank you for producing this very educational video. I don’t own a 3d printer, but would be willing to purchase a set of those finish gauges. Perhaps others would as well?

Jeff Chandler

2024-08-04 15:19:25 +0000 UTC

I've got lots of old grinding stones that need dressing, never seen it done. Do you throw the small bits away?

Adrian Gadd

2024-08-04 14:53:28 +0000 UTC

High value, high density tribal knowledge courses provided by University of WWW. I will watch these all day long. The printed props were quite helpful imho. Hopefully others can see the value in this real life tutorial format. 🔩🪛🔨 Classic Wes humour is awesome.

Marshall

2024-08-04 14:49:55 +0000 UTC

I Like this video very much Wes. I've struggled for years trying to do this. Out in the field all we hade was an angle grinder to sharpen with. Lot of hit and miss. Thanks for all your time and trouble.

dozerman53111

2024-08-04 14:49:14 +0000 UTC

I watched the entire video and I appreciate all the work I am always impressed with your in depth knowledge on a subject as well as your ability to convey that knowledge in a easy to understand way. I enjoy this type of content Thanks!

Robert

2024-08-04 14:28:32 +0000 UTC

I liked it

Jeffrey Britton

2024-08-04 14:21:31 +0000 UTC

I didn't request it but when I was hoping for a vid when subject of sharpening bits came up. I've been hacking away at it for a few years but I'd like to see what Wes's method is.

Trevor Saxon

2024-08-04 14:07:48 +0000 UTC

great intro!

Robert

2024-08-04 14:00:49 +0000 UTC

I'll put the solid models up shortly.

Watch Wes Work

2024-08-04 13:53:16 +0000 UTC

How I Sharpen Drill Bits

Comments

I LOVE the didactic videos!

I did something similar to that, but I will also adopt the WWW-approved method, it is a bit easier and more predictable.

+1 for rotor broaches. I used them when making small Ts in high-pressure steam lines (for steam traps and reducing valves) and a magnetic pipe-clamped drill press. They are fantastic for very quick and tidy holes.

I suppose you could sharpen them with some practice. I've never tried it.

I guess I didn’t know any better since that was how I was taught.

Have you ever used Rotor Broaches? They are so nice for thin metal. I used to make a product from 11 gauge square tube and we drill all the holes with them.

That way works too. I just find it a little more awkward.

Something along those lines!

Maybe even 3 dozen!

I think that's a pretty small market.

I don't know the answer for step bits. I have sharpened the tips, but the actual steps would be a challenge.

They are trying out wheeled robots here too. They take 4-5 days to cover a field, but they don't need human intervention. They can refill and recharge automatically. They have cameras that find the weeds and spray only as needed.

I should have. Even some marker would have helped.

I love that approach. YouTube is basically just a big computer, and it loves to put people into neat categories. When you don't fit nicely into any category it gets very confused.

I wish I had a go to source for 3D printing.

Great video, more please.

I'm a non-mechanic and non-machinist but a habitual futzer. I really enjoyed this and can see it took a good amount of work to produce. Thanks. I'll certainly watch for more of this sort.

Yes. I use super thin .035 cut off wheels. They'll probably lodge in an artery someday, but I love them.

Thinking when you cut off the damaged bits you used a cutoff wheel, but how did you keep from overheating it? Just go slow?

Wes, you are a fantastic conveyer of knowledge. Don't work yourself too hard, but I'd love to learn more of the tidbits you've got tucked away.

This is an awesome example of a task that sounds easy, but requires a bit of finesse. I'll be sure to give this a shot on some of my older drill bits!

I like this sort of video, thank you for doing it. You're a clever man, there're no flies on you Wes...

That was the best instruction on bit sharpening I have ever seen. great models, excellent descriptions.

Great footage Wes!

I think I've bought every drill sharpener gizmo ever invented and none of them work well. Thanks for the lesson! Now I guess I've gotta buy a 3D printer?!?! Oh no! Oh, and better quality bits!!

Excellent video. Thanks for the 3d files as well. Perhaps a high voltage fly zapper as your next project? ;-)

Although I haven't a bench grinder, I thought this video was informative and interesting. I, personally, would watch more of your how to videos. Thanks Wes.

This was really cool and should be linked from the hobbyist machinists forums as soon as it goes public. (An audience of dozens!) Anyway I liked it.

If you are going to sell the drill guides, consider making them on your plasma cutter instead of printing them.

Loved the intro, lost interest 10 minutes in. I have a drill sharpener that I am still figuring out but it seems to work.

I appreciate the video. I use my Drill Dr for smaller bits, but I have several 1”+ bits that need some attention. I normally would send them out, but I’ll give your method a shot.

Helpful lesson. Years since I sharpened my last bit. Bought replacements new recently.

Well done I should have gotten my dad to show me, he had that skill. I'll give it a try.

The bird in the shop reminds me of Geoffrey from CEE Australia

Nicely done. Especially like the addition of printed props to highlight aspects.

these kind of videos are interesting, id love to watch some more of them!

Thanks Wes, I've been manually sharpening drill bits for years but the method I use is entirely my own invention, having never had anyone to show me the "right" way. I'm going to give your method a whirl but I'll need to buy a new wheel for the grinder first!

Awesome Video Wes. I knew nothing about drill sharpening before and now I know enough to be dangerous. Thank you for the effort! I appreciate it.

They're great. I don't know how you sharpen them.

Great video as always. Any additional comments on step drills? Worth using/sharpening?

I like it

Great video, I remember being taught this 35 years ago but this was a really well executed refresher and explanation... and it had crop dusting! Would absolutely watch more like this. Thanks Wes

That's a pretty neat video. I always like learning stuff. I've tried my hand at sharpening a few times with varying success.

Funny about the flies, I kept trying to skootch them off my screen (midges like my monitor :-) ) We here in DFW have skeeters and they are hungry 24/7 noe of this dawn or dusk business. o_O

Good to see the fam helping out. Also, excellent use of 3d printed props. I might have dipped the dull bits in some dycum to better "show" the grinding. The trick there is making sure it's communicated as a "for illustration only" step.

Oh yes! Please more of this tribal knowledge! I'm about to buy my first good/expensive drill bit set and knowing how to extent its life makes the spend so much less painful! And great intro! :-) Thanks for that laugh :-D

Excellent job Wes. Love not throwing something away just because it was used. And do I have some dull bits.

That was a nice change of pace and very interesting. I enjoy seeing that level of detail and the reasoning behind it and would definitely watch similar videos. I have a Drill Doctor and it does a decent job for my home shop but I always thought the diamond wheel was a little too coarse.

Yeah, I just scrap them. Sometimes you can grind them into custom punches or other tools. If you're really scrappy you could make them into damascus knife steel.

Excellent explanation, demonstration and examples. Camera angles and lighting were also very well done. Thank you for producing this very educational video. I don’t own a 3d printer, but would be willing to purchase a set of those finish gauges. Perhaps others would as well?

I've got lots of old grinding stones that need dressing, never seen it done. Do you throw the small bits away?

High value, high density tribal knowledge courses provided by University of WWW. I will watch these all day long. The printed props were quite helpful imho. Hopefully others can see the value in this real life tutorial format. 🔩🪛🔨 Classic Wes humour is awesome.

I Like this video very much Wes. I've struggled for years trying to do this. Out in the field all we hade was an angle grinder to sharpen with. Lot of hit and miss. Thanks for all your time and trouble.

I watched the entire video and I appreciate all the work I am always impressed with your in depth knowledge on a subject as well as your ability to convey that knowledge in a easy to understand way. I enjoy this type of content Thanks!

I liked it

I didn't request it but when I was hoping for a vid when subject of sharpening bits came up. I've been hacking away at it for a few years but I'd like to see what Wes's method is.

great intro!

I'll put the solid models up shortly.

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