Gene Beggs
Active member
Guys with the expertise we have here on BR Central, I'm sure someone can advise me on this.
I have always been keenly interested in sharpening knives, cutters, twist drills etc. Recently, I have been studying twist drills and drill sharpening equipment. Wow, what a plethora of info there is on the subject. There must be hundreds of different types of sharpening devices; some complete junk while others are very expensive and precisely made.
Some have asked, "Why would you want to sharpen drill bits when new ones are so inexpensive?"
Yes, new drill bits are not that expensive but I just like the idea of being able to sharpen an old one as good as new. There are also different types of drill points that are better suited for a specific job than the old standard chisel-point.
About forty years ago, an old German aircraft mechanic showed me how to free-hand drill bits but I never mastered the technique. At times I could improve things and get the job done, but never to my satisfaction. Seems I always got the angles wrong, wound up with one cutting lip longer than the other or something.
A couple of years ago, I bought a Drill Doctor and played with that a while but wasn't happy with the results; I wound up throwing it away.
Does anyone know of a good sharpening machine that wouldn't break the bank or should I just forget it and concentrate on more important business?
In studying the internet one machine, the Mini Mulit, made by Kaindl in Germany looks interesting. Has anyone had any experience with it? I'm sure most of the Kaindl grinders would be out of my price range but this one looks like something I could afford. What are your thoughts?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Gene Beggs
I have always been keenly interested in sharpening knives, cutters, twist drills etc. Recently, I have been studying twist drills and drill sharpening equipment. Wow, what a plethora of info there is on the subject. There must be hundreds of different types of sharpening devices; some complete junk while others are very expensive and precisely made.
Some have asked, "Why would you want to sharpen drill bits when new ones are so inexpensive?"
Yes, new drill bits are not that expensive but I just like the idea of being able to sharpen an old one as good as new. There are also different types of drill points that are better suited for a specific job than the old standard chisel-point.
About forty years ago, an old German aircraft mechanic showed me how to free-hand drill bits but I never mastered the technique. At times I could improve things and get the job done, but never to my satisfaction. Seems I always got the angles wrong, wound up with one cutting lip longer than the other or something.
A couple of years ago, I bought a Drill Doctor and played with that a while but wasn't happy with the results; I wound up throwing it away.
Does anyone know of a good sharpening machine that wouldn't break the bank or should I just forget it and concentrate on more important business?
In studying the internet one machine, the Mini Mulit, made by Kaindl in Germany looks interesting. Has anyone had any experience with it? I'm sure most of the Kaindl grinders would be out of my price range but this one looks like something I could afford. What are your thoughts?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Gene Beggs