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Anyone who uses a power drill is bound to dull their drill bits, especially if they drill into hard materials like metals. You can easily drill into hardwood for years without any problem, but chances are you’re not going to limit yourself to working with wood.
When drill bits become dull, replacing them with new ones is a viable option.
However, this can prove expensive, sometimes costing you up to $200, depending on the drill bit type and the number of pieces in a set. Rather than buying new drill bits whenever your bits lose their edge, why not buy a drill bits sharpener?
Sharpening your drill bits is a great way to extend their life and get the most out of your purchase. Of course, you’ll need a quality drill bit sharpener to do that.
But it’s not always easy to tell whether you’re getting a great deal when buying online. That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you make a more informed buying decision.
What to Look for When Buying a Drill Bit Sharpener
There are a lot of drill bit sharpeners on the market today, and choosing the right one can be tricky. Some will work better with specific drill bits. Others might not be compatible with your bits. So, it’s essential to make sure you’re choosing the right one for your needs.
Here’s what to consider when buying drill bit sharpeners.
1. Drill Bit Size
When shopping for a sharpener, make sure to take your drill bit size into account. Drill bits vary in diameter and are available in different size ranges, such as 3/8-inch to ½-inch.
Most sharpeners offer a size rating that tells you the maximum diameter the tool supports. So, you’ll want to ensure your drill bits are in size range supported by the tool you intend to buy.
2. Drill Bit Type
Aside from drill bit size, you must also check the type of drill bits you use. There are various kinds of drill bits on the market, and all work differently. For example, metal and wood drill bits use different angled tips, so your sharpener needs to adjust to handle both.
Some sharpeners can work with all drill bits, but most don’t handle split-point bits. As such, you’ll want to ensure the sharpener you plan to buy supports the type of drill bits you use. Sharpening your bits with an unsupported sharpener can damage your drill bits.
3. Drill Bit Material
Consider the material your drill bits are made of and the material of your sharpening wheel too. Drill bits made of steel or cobalt can be sharpened by any sharpening wheel.
But if your drill bits are made of carbide, look for sharpeners with a diamond grinding element. Knowing what wheel works best for your drill bits prolongs the sharpener’s life and makes sharpening easier.
4. Versatility
Versatility is important to get your hands on the best drill bit sharpeners. While your goal is to buy a tool that can sharpen your drill bits, getting a sharpener that can sharpen your knives, chisel, and scissors would leave you happy and save you money.
If you’re a home DIYer who works on different projects from time to time and uses various drill bits, your sharpener’s versatility should be a top priority.
The Best Drill Bit Sharpeners
If you’re in the market for the best drill bit sharpeners, you’ll be overwhelmed by the alarming number of sharpeners out there. We’ve narrowed down the best three drill bit sharpeners to buy, considering features, ease of use, price, and customer reviews.
1. Drill Doctor DD750X
Drill Doctor is one of the top drill bit sharpener brands available on Amazon. The company has been making sharpening tools since 1973 and specializes in DIY drill bit sharpeners, work sharp knife sharpeners, and other tool sharpeners.
The Drill Doctor DD750X Drill Bit Sharpener is one of the easiest tools to use. It allows for “custom point angle sharpening,” which means you can adjust it for any angle between 115 and 140 degrees.
Additionally, the DD750X will sharpen drill bits as small as 3/32-inch up to 3/4-inch, making it compatible with virtually all drill bits available. It also features a diamond wheel, so grinding the edges of carbide drill bits will never be a problem.
Product Specifications
- Cutting angle: 115 – 140 degrees
- Cutting diameter: 3/32 – 3/4-inch
- Size: 5 x 8 x 4.5 inches
- Weight: 4.4 pounds
- Power source: Corded electric
What We Liked
- Easy to use
- Compatible with all drill bit sizes and types
What Could Be Improved
- Split point grinder can be tricky to use. Could benefit from more instructions and perhaps a tutorial video
The Drill Doctor DD750X is a great sharpener to use, with all the features you’d expect from a premium product. And with over five thousand positive customer reviews on Amazon, this sharpener has indeed won the hearts of many consumers.
- Sharpen multiple types of drill bits – high-speed steel, masonry, Cobalt, & tin-coated drill bits. Designed for the serious tool user, This professional, easy-to-use system makes it simple to keep a sharp, perfectly angled cutting edge on bits
- Custom point angle sharpening – set any angle from 115° to 140° with cast aluminum point angle shuttle for added durability, A unique back-cut split-point bit and extra-narrow chisel point make it faster to penetrate and less likely to wander
- Extend the life of your bits by sharpening. Sharpen drill bits from 3/32-inch to ¾-inch. Create or remove split points, and adjust material take-off for light maintenance or aggressive reprofiling. Carry bag included.
- 3-Year warranty - protects every Drill Doctor bit sharpener against defects due to workmanship or design, using a 115V machine in a location with 230V power sources voids the warranty
- Based in Oregon - We design, engineer, & assemble our sharpening machines all under one roof in the USA
2. Drill Doctor DD500X
If you’re looking for a high-performance drill bit sharpener for professionals, the Drill Doctor DD500X is your best bet.
This model supports drill bits of various sizes, ranging from 3/32 to ½ inches, giving you flexibility over which bits to sharpen. An optional 3/4-inch chuck is also available as an upgrade, meaning no drill bit size is too small or too big for the DD550X.
Moreover, it can also sharpen masonry drill bits, which makes it a versatile machine. And the best part, you can use it to remove or create a split point on a drill bit, meaning you can easily turn your drill bits into ones you wish you had instead of the ones you bought.
The company offers a 3-year warranty for the DD550X, which protects the sharpener against defects due to workmanship.
Product Specs
- Cutting angle: 118 – 135 degrees
- Cutting diameter: 3/32 – 1/2-inch
- Size: 13.75 x 5.75 x 11.75 inches
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
- Power source: Corded electric
What we Liked
- The sharpener can create back-cut, split-point tip
- Sharpens bits ranging from ³⁄₃₂ to ½ inch
What Could be Improved
- The sharpener doesn’t have mounting holes to anchor it
The Drill Doctor DD500X is a versatile, high-performance drill bit sharpener for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. And with over two thousand positive customer reviews on Amazon., you can never go wrong with this sharpener.
- SHARPENS STANDARD DRILL BITS – from 3/32" to 1/2" standard twist bits. Optional 3/4 inch chuck available as upgrade.
- SHARPEN and SPLIT - Sharpen all common twist style drill bits and split the cutting tip to reduce wear and increase cutting performance of your bits.
- SHARPEN to 118 or 135 Degrees - Accomodates all common bit angles.
- 500X is ideal for the serious DIY'er, hobbyist and professional user who needs sharp bits to get the job done.
- 3-YEAR WARRANTY - protects every Drill Doctor bit sharpener against defects due to workmanship or design
3. Drill Doctor DD350X
The Drill Doctor DD350X is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something inexpensive that gets the job done. While you don’t get the top-notch features available in other Drill Doctor sharpeners on this list, the DD350X offers features sufficient for most home DIY projects.
This sharpener has the lowest angle capability at only 118 degrees and can handle drills from 3/32 inches to ½ inches. Additionally, it comes with diamond wheels, so you can sharpen even those carbide drill bits without risking damaging your bits. However, it can’t create split points.
This sharpener is so compact that it can sit on a bench without getting in your way. The company also offers a 3-year warranty that protects it against defects due to workmanship.
Product Specs
- Cutting angle: 118 degrees
- Cutting diameter: 3/32 – 1/2-inch
- Size: 12.5 x 4.5 x 6.75 inches
- Weight: 8 ounces
What We Liked
- Sharpens bits ranging from ³⁄₃₂ to ½ inch
- Few adjustments make it easier to learn and use
What Could Be Improved
- It does not sharpen split points
- SHARPENS STANDARD DRILL BITS – from 3/32" to 1/2" standard twist bits. Ideal for shops that use the most common bit styles & is compatible for use with wood and light metals
- PROFESSIONAL DESIGN & CONSTRUCTED FOR DURABILITY - industrial-strength diamond sharpening wheel that won't change shape over time, & a cool design so bits don't heat up and lose their tempering as you sharpen them.6 foot power cord
- TWO EASY STEPS - eliminates the need for alignment port & simplifies the sharpening process, making the 350X a perfect choice for home workshops. Simply secure the bit & turn the chuck an even number of half turns to achieve a perfect 118° angle. V-block jaws hold the bit precisely in place & ensure that you don't have to worry about jaw twisting, even when working with small bits
- 3-YEAR WARRANTY - protects every Drill Doctor bit sharpener against defects due to workmanship or design
- MANUFACTURED IN OREGON - we design, engineer, & assemble our sharpening machines all under one roof in the USA. We are dedicated to creating quality tools with quality components & backing them with the best one-on-one customer support you'll ever get
Wrapping Up
These three options are our top picks for the best drill bit sharpeners. They offer seamless performance and have the flexibility to sharpen a wide range of drill bits. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional craftsman, these sharpeners will do a stellar job at sharpening your drill bits.