Best Drill Bit Sharpener (Review & Buying Guide) 2021 | The Drive

2022-06-06 07:40:01 By : Ms. Snow Wang

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Good drill bits are expensive, but best can dull over time. To get the most out of a good bit, a sharpener is required so that bit can regain a cutting edge. Instead of going through several bits a year when working continually, you can keep a single bit working for years with help from a bit sharpener. The cost equation works out in the sharpener’s favor pretty quickly, and essentially any professional who drills regularly will get a lot of use and savings out of a good drill bit sharpener. 

Instead of trekking to the store every few months to get yet another suitable bit, just keep your bits sharpened and they’ll never slow you down. You’ve invested in quality drill bits. It only makes sense to find a sharpener of the same caliber. To help you track down the best drill bit sharpeners on the market, we’ve broken down the top selections. Let’s investigate the options and learn some helpful facts about these important tools.

General Tools 825 Drill Grinding Attachment

A powerful attachment that lets you sharpen all your drill bits, this tool is both user-friendly and precise.

HOMOO Art Portable Drill Bit Grinder

Tough grinder attachments to quickly sharpen drill bits. It comes with six sharpening stones for lasting benefits.

Leiming Multifunctional Electric Drill Bit Sharpener

An electric, high-powered sharpener that can restore sharp edges on drill bits and other tools with adjustable angles and a tough grinding mechanism.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

One of the most common kinds of drill bit sharpeners you’ll come across is a drill-powered sharpener, or a manual sharpener. These devices are slim and typically made out of plastic or nylon material. They require an electric drill to operate; with your drill, you’ll spin the grinding or sharpening wheel to get an even and newly sharp edge on your bits. These kinds of manual sharpeners are wonderfully portable, but they can be limited in their power since they rely on your drill to get the job done. 

Electric drill bit sharpeners are the more powerful choice — and they’re also more capable. These kinds of sharpeners plug into an electrical outlet, and they come in a variety of different forms. Some are designed solely for drill bits of all different sizes; others can sharpen bits as well as cutting tools. With a built-in motor, these sharpeners work quickly, efficiently, and evenly. All you have to do is plug in the sharpener and insert drill bits into the designed slots. Some bit sharpeners will allow you to adjust the angle to get even more precision.

If you want a drill bit sharpener that can do more, a multi-purpose or multifunctional model will be the perfect fit. There are a variety of electric drill bit sharpeners that can tackle all kinds of sharpening. They tend to be larger in size, and they include different slots so they can sharpen multiple types of tools or sharp edges. Like any other electric sharpeners, these devices work quickly to create precise bit edges that’ll improve your drilling.

Founded in the 1930s by a World War I veteran, General Tools prides itself on creating precision equipment for all workshop needs. One of its most-favored offerings for drill bits is the General Tools 825 Drill Grinding Attachment.

An international retailer of woodworking tools, Woodstock has many quality sharpening devices. Since 1989, this business has crafted equipment that’s retailed through third-party merchants. A top offering is the Woodstock D4144 Drill Sharpener.

Beginning operations in 1973 in Oregon, Darex put all of its focus into crafting sharpening equipment. Its leading brands include Drill Doctor and Work Sharp, both with diverse selections of sharpening equipment like the Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener. 

There’s one big decision you have to make when you’re choosing a drill bit sharpener: drill-powered (manual) or electric. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and the one that’s best for your needs simply depends on how you’ll want to use your sharpener. While electric models require an outlet and a cord, manual models can be held in your hand and used with a drill you already have. The power source can shape how much voltage your sharpener operates with and how quickly it gets to work. 

The best drill bit sharpeners are those that can hold up to plenty of use over time. To be durable enough to support frequent sharpening, you’ll want to choose one that features a tough grinding wheel. Those that are nicely abrasive and high in hardness can handle different drill bits made from different materials — and they can also last quite a while. Corundum is a hardy material that works efficiently and lasts well. 

Choosing an adjustable drill bit sharpener is important because it shapes your bit placement. Many sharpeners allow you to either move the abrasive grinding surface or change the placement angle so you can accurately and precisely get the sharp edge you need. Adjustable angles give you more control over the final result via the bit placement, and they can help you get better sharpening without much effort on your part.

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The General Tools 825 Drill Grinding Attachment is built to extend the life of drill bits dramatically. It does this by sharpening them accurately enough to bring them back to factory tolerance. The grinder includes an angle gauge that allows the user to precisely match the point angle of just about any bit, including countersinks. The neck pivots for easy grinding of both sides of the bit, and the machine includes standard sharpening angles of 41, 49, 59, 68, and 88 degrees. A depth stop-cap keeps the material surface fresh, and the entire unit can work with electric bench grinders that meet the standards of ANSI, OSHA, and UL.

Though it is precise, this grinder can be tricky to use at certain angles. Provided you have enough practice working with the technology, however, it can create a lasting sharpness.

Substantially cheaper than most other sharpening tools on the market, but still providing appropriate sharpening capability, the HOMOO Art Portable Drill Bit Grinder is a tool worth looking at. Powered externally by being hooked to a drill, the grinder comes with a set angle and can whittle away drill bits to restore their cutting power like a far more expensive machine. Something that separates this grinder from most is portability—it basically fits in a pocket, and is immensely practical for its relatively tiny size. It’s lightweight and a snap to use, without any of the extra electronic frills or mechanical complexity of far more expensive rivals. For a cheap and competent grinder setup, there might be none better.

Despite this grinder being affordable, it only works at a limited set of angles. It requires a separate tool for sharpening for the stone grinders to perform optimally. 

A simple drill bit sharpener can be surprisingly versatile — especially if you choose the Leiming Multifunctional Electric Drill Bit Sharpener. This electric device is so much more than just a one-use sharpener, and having it in your arsenal will allow you to sharpen absolutely anything. 

Powered by any basic electrical outlet, this drill bit sharpener offers multifunctional die cutting and grinds a straight edge on chisels, drill bits, scissors, and other cutting tools. It utilizes a high-hardness grinding wheel and high speed rotation to get whatever you need sharpened in no time at all. Made out of high-strength plastic and durable blades, it’ll work with a wide array of drill bit sizes and larger items. It utilizes an adjustable angle (from 15 to 50 degrees) so you can make changes depending on what bits or tools you’re sharpening.

While this sharpener is incredibly easy to use, keep in mind it can’t be used anywhere. You have to plug it into an outlet in order to operate it, so you’ll need a convenient power source wherever you take it.

With reliability, usability, and precision that goes above and beyond, the Drill Doctor 750X Drill Bit Sharpener is worth the money. It’s capable of sharpening a wide variety of drill bits, including those coated in titanium nitride (TiN), those made of steel for high speeds, those that are designed to punch through masonry, and those built with hardened cobalt. The sharpener can easily be custom set to any angle between 115 and 140 degrees, and includes a cast aluminum point angle shuttle for superior durability. Also included is the ability to give your drill bits split points, which increases their utility and cutting speed, not to mention making them far less likely to wander when first starting to drill into material.

While this sharpener is very effective, it is much more expensive than other options. Given the versatile angles and rapid function, it easily justifies this higher number.

If you’re searching for a drill bit sharpener that you’ll be able to rely on for a time to come, the Uhuse Portable Drill Bit Sharpener is a great pick. Small and lightweight enough to be carried in your portable tool box or on a tool belt, you can sharpen your bits absolutely anywhere. Yet despite its compact build, this handheld tool will get to work and sharpen effectively.

Each of these portable drill bit sharpeners is made out of high-quality, long-lasting materials. You’ll use your own electric drill to power it – so you’re in control of the sharpening process. The handheld tool is made out of tough ABS plastic, and the brown corundum grinding wheel can easily face off against iron drill bits. The sharpening wheel is also tough enough to handle fast sharpening at any speed (and it’s wear-resistant, too). 

Just note before buying this drill bit sharpener that it’s best used on iron drill bits only. Other high-hardness bits can pose a challenge, and they actually might cause wear on the sharpening wheel itself.

If you’re looking for a strong option that’s easy to use, the Drill Doctor Multi-Degree Drill Bit Sharpener is a good choice. You can use it at either 118 or 135 degrees, two of the most common requirements. The sharpener is well-constructed and designed to minimize maintenance. With a solid base, it won’t move around easily while it works. It’s meant to address large-scale drill bits and can sharpen as many as 400 times. The interior of the wheel is crafted using diamond grit. This provides the maximum amount of abrasion possible without causing damage to your tools. It’s easy to maintain, and the wheels can be quickly swapped out as needed. Rotating quickly, this sharpener is a solid way to go. 

Keep in mind that, while it’s powerful, it doesn’t have the most ventilation. So long as it’s used in short spurts, it won’t overheat easily.

The Sharpal Multi-Tool Sharpener is a unique piece that you can use on anything from gardening pieces to drill bits. It’s made out of a high-quality grit, meant to work more than 10,000 times before wearing down. The tool is fairly lightweight, making it easy to move back and forth. Inside the handle is a textured grip so you can hold it for long periods. The width of the handle is sufficient to keep you safe. It’s also large enough to enable you to wear gloves while you work. With five sharpening components, you can choose anything from tungsten to ceramic as an abrasive surface. Versatile and operating without power, you can use this sharpener pretty much anywhere and on almost any tool. 

Bear in mind that it’s manual, so it requires a certain level of elbow grease to be functional. However, since it’s so strong, it doesn’t take long to sharpen.

Don’t need to sharpen your drill bits from totally dull to precise edges? The Drill Master Drill Bit Sharpener is just what you need in your toolkit. It’s a fantastic drill companion, as it’ll help you take frustrating dull bits and improve them in just a few seconds.

This sharpener is small, but it’s effective. Designed to create a fresh edge on drill bits sized between 5/64 and 1/2 inch, it’s powered by your own drill. Just stick your drill’s chuck into this handheld device, turn it on, and it’ll spin the 100 grit sharpening stone quickly. You can achieve a sharp edge, grind down dullness, and improve the impact of your bits with nothing but a moment’s notice. The final results are always smooth and even. 

However, you’ll want to keep in mind that this drill bit sharpener is only as powerful as your drill. While it works decently, it’s really best for touch ups and quick sharpening. If your bits are exceptionally dull, it may not be enough to restore proper sharpness.

The NZND Portable Drill Bit Sharpener takes the hard work out of sharpening dull and well-used bits. It’s easy to use, and you don’t need any special equipment — the slim hand tool and included grinding wheel are all you need to get the job done, even when you’re in the middle of a drill-heavy project.

This drill bit sharpener is meant to be portable and tool box-ready. The black sharpener is made out of nylon, with a grinding wheel crafted out of brown corundum. It’s hardy and effective enough to grind down iron bits with ease. And, it’s powered by your very own drill. Your drill spins the grinding wheel, and you can set the speed and power level to get the exact results you’re hoping for.

The sharpener even comes with a spanner polishing attachment for added perks. You can polish up your bits once you’ve gotten them perfectly sharp. However, keep in mind that the nylon nature of this tool can wear quickly and may be prone to cracking over time.

If you want to get drill bits sharpened without a ton of time or effort, the Chicago Electric Electric Drill Bit Sharpener will become your biggest ally. Powered by 120 AC volts with a 0.35 amperage and 1,700 RPM speed, this electric device can get worn, dull drill bits back in action in no time at all.

It’s an electric tool, so you don’t actually have to handle the sharpening yourself. The compact machine will sharpen both carbon steel and high-speed steel drill bits, and it can work with any bits from 9/64 to 25/64 inch in size. A direct drive motor powers the 120 grit sharpening stone, and it works in just seconds or minutes. 

And, you don’t have to sacrifice a lot of space in your garage or workshop. This sharpener is pretty small in size, measuring just 9 1/16 x 4 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches and weighing just 5 pounds.

Some hardware stores offer drill bit sharpening as a service. As personal sharpeners grow more popular, however, these services get more challenging to find. You can approach your local retailer, get new bits, or opt for a sharpener if you use drills often.

The best way to sharpen your drill bits depends on how much time you have and how many bits you need to sharpen. If you need to sharpen several bits, it’s usually easier to use a power sharpener. This limits strain and gets the job done more quickly. 

You will always need an abrasive surface. It can be a belt, a stone, or a standard sharpener. It’s the friction between the grit and the drill bit surface that leaves it sharp. So if you don’t have a grinder, simply use another abrasive material. 

Now that you’re familiar with the ins and outs of drill bit sharpeners, you can make your pick. Both the General Tools 825 Drill Grinding Attachment and the HOMOO Art Portable Drill Bit Grinder are solid picks. There’s an option for everyone. 

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