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An extremely in-depth look at the physics of making holes.
Drills and drill bits are an essential part of every handyman's toolkit, and for good reason. These spiral shafts of metal are indispensable when it comes to precisely placing holes in virtually any material, providing you've got the right ones. But if you've never given much through to the mechanics that make them work—or how to actually make a drill bit yourself—there is plenty to learn. Probably more than you actually need to know, honestly.
If you really want to revel in the minute details, then look no further than this extremely in-depth drill bit primer from YouTuber This Old Tony, who offers some tips on sharpening your own bits through the roundabout method of machining a drill bit from scratch on camera. Between primary and secondary bevels, relief angles, webbing, the relationship of each to the others, there's no shortage of mechanics to brush up on:
When it comes to actually sharpening your bits, there are really only two main variables to keep track of: your drill point angle, and the length of each cutting edge. A drill point gage will do the trick for both, but you can also make do with stuff you already have around, including a simple pair of hex nuts to eyeball the appropriate angle.
With that knowledge, go forth and drill! And see how much of the interesting but extraneous detail you can actually remember a few weeks from now.
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