Drill Bit Sharpeners

About Drill Bit Sharpeners

Drill bit sharpeners are essential workshop tools designed to restore worn or blunt drill bits back to their original cutting performance. Whether you're a professional tradesperson drilling through metal, wood, or masonry day in and day out, or a DIY enthusiast maintaining your home toolkit, a quality drill bit sharpener can significantly extend the life of your drill bits and save you considerable money over time. These specialised devices range from simple manual sharpeners suitable for basic home workshops to sophisticated electric models capable of precision sharpening across multiple drill bit sizes and types.

Unlike traditional bench grinders which require considerable skill and experience to sharpen drill bits correctly by hand, dedicated drill bit sharpeners are engineered to maintain the correct cutting angles and geometry automatically. Our range includes models from trusted brands including Bosch Professional, Sealey, Multi-Sharp, and Draper, offering solutions for everything from standard HSS twist bits through to masonry and even brad point bits. Many models feature adjustable grinding angles and can accommodate drill bit diameters from 3mm up to 13mm or more, making them versatile additions to any workshop.

Beyond basic drill bit sharpening, many models in our collection are multi-purpose sharpeners capable of maintaining other workshop tools such as chisels, scissors, knives, and plane blades. This versatility makes them particularly attractive for small workshops where space and budget are at a premium. Whether you opt for a manual bench-mounted model or an electric sharpener with motorised grinding wheels, you'll find these tools considerably easier to master than freehand grinding techniques whilst still achieving professional-quality results.

Jargon Buster

• HSS (High-Speed Steel) – The most common drill bit material for general purpose drilling in metal and wood. HSS bits are readily sharpenable and respond well to resharpening in dedicated drill bit sharpeners.
• Point Angle – The angle at the tip of the drill bit, typically 118° for general purpose drilling or 135° for harder materials. Quality drill bit sharpeners maintain the correct point angle automatically during the sharpening process.
• Relief Angle – The angle ground behind the cutting edge that prevents the drill bit from rubbing against the workpiece. Proper relief angle is crucial for efficient cutting and is precisely controlled by drill bit sharpeners.
• Grinding Wheel – The abrasive wheel component that actually resharpens the drill bit. Common types include aluminium oxide for HSS bits and silicon carbide for harder materials. These are consumable items requiring periodic replacement.
• Twist Drill – The standard spiral-fluted drill bit design used in most drilling applications. Most drill bit sharpeners are specifically designed to accommodate twist drills in various diameters.
• Split Point – An advanced drill bit design featuring a specialised point geometry that prevents walking and enables faster penetration. Some premium sharpeners can create or maintain split point configurations.

Who Uses Drill Bit Sharpeners?

Drill bit sharpeners are valuable tools for a wide range of users across professional trades and DIY applications:

• Engineering and fabrication workshops – Metal workers and machinists who regularly drill steel, aluminium, and other metals benefit enormously from maintaining sharp drill bits for precision and efficiency
• Joiners and carpenters – Woodworking professionals drilling countless holes daily can quickly work through expensive brad point and twist bits without proper sharpening facilities
• Maintenance engineers – Those working in facilities management or industrial maintenance roles who need reliable drilling tools available at all times
• Agricultural and farming operations – Farm workshops where drill bits face tough conditions and regular sharpening keeps operations running smoothly
• Automotive and vehicle repair – Mechanics drilling through various materials from sheet metal to cast iron components
• Educational institutions – Schools, colleges, and training centres teaching engineering, metalwork, or woodwork disciplines
• DIY enthusiasts and home workshop owners – Hobbyists who want to maintain their tools properly and reduce ongoing costs
• Construction contractors – Site workers and general builders requiring sharp drill bits for varied materials

How to Choose the Right Drill Bit Sharpeners

Drill Bit Compatibility: First establish which types and sizes of drill bits you need to sharpen. Check the minimum and maximum diameter capacities – typically ranging from 3mm to 13mm for standard models, though some accommodate larger bits up to 20mm. Confirm whether the sharpener handles only twist drills or also masonry, brad point, and other specialised bit types.

Manual vs Electric Operation: Manual drill bit sharpeners are more affordable, portable, and require no power supply, making them ideal for basic workshops or mobile applications. Electric models offer faster, more consistent results with less physical effort, particularly valuable in busy professional workshops where numerous bits need sharpening regularly.

Adjustability and Precision: Better quality sharpeners allow adjustment of grinding angles to suit different materials and drilling applications. Look for models with clearly marked settings and positive stops to ensure repeatability. Some premium units include features for creating split points or maintaining specific point angles for specialised applications.

Multi-Purpose Capability: If workshop space is limited or you maintain various tools beyond drill bits, consider multi-purpose sharpeners that can also handle chisels, scissors, knives, and plane blades. Models from Sealey and Multi-Sharp offer excellent versatility in this regard.

Grinding Wheel Type and Availability: Check what grinding wheels are fitted as standard and whether replacement wheels are readily available. Aluminium oxide wheels suit HSS bits, whilst silicon carbide is better for carbide-tipped bits. Confirm that consumable parts like grinding wheels and sharpening discs are stocked for your chosen model.

Mounting and Workspace Integration: Consider whether you need a bench-mounted permanent installation or a portable unit. Some models include integral clamps for temporary mounting, whilst others require permanent fixing to a workbench. Also consider whether the unit requires 230V power and adequate bench space.

Brand Reputation and Support: Established brands like Bosch Professional, Draper, and Sealey offer proven reliability and good aftersales support. Check warranty terms and the availability of spare parts before purchasing, particularly for consumable components like grinding wheels.

Popular Accessories

• Replacement Grinding Wheels – Aluminium oxide and silicon carbide wheels in various grits for different materials and finish requirements
• Sharpening Discs – Model-specific consumable discs for particular sharpener designs
• Drill Bit Sets – Quality HSS twist drill sets from Bosch, DeWalt, or Makita that benefit from regular resharpening
• Bench Grinders – Complementary equipment for general workshop grinding tasks and larger tool sharpening
• Drill Bit Gauges – Precision measuring tools to verify drill bit diameters and check sharpening results
• Grinding Attachments – Specialist attachments for bench grinders to enable drill bit sharpening functionality
• Workshop Lighting – Magnifying lamps or LED task lights to inspect cutting edges and verify sharpening quality
• Safety Equipment – Eye protection, dust masks, and work gloves appropriate for grinding operations

Safety Information

Drill bit sharpeners involve rotating grinding wheels and sharp edges, making proper safety precautions essential. Always wear appropriate eye protection – safety glasses or a face shield – when operating any sharpening equipment, as metal particles and grinding debris can cause serious eye injuries. Ensure adequate workshop ventilation or use dust extraction equipment, particularly when sharpening larger quantities of bits, as metal dust can be harmful if inhaled.

Before operating electric models, check that the power supply matches the UK standard 230V specification and that the plug is correctly fused (typically 3A or 5A). Inspect grinding wheels for cracks or damage before use – never use a damaged wheel as it may disintegrate at speed. Follow the manufacturer's maximum speed ratings and never exceed the recommended drill bit diameter for your specific model.

Secure bench-mounted sharpeners firmly to your workbench before use to prevent movement during operation. Keep hands and fingers clear of grinding wheels at all times, and never attempt to sharpen bits whilst wearing gloves that could get caught in rotating components. Allow grinding wheels to come to a complete stop before adjusting settings or removing drill bits. For professional workshop environments, ensure your sharpening operations comply with HSE guidance on hand-held tools and machinery safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to sharpen a drill bit?

With a dedicated drill bit sharpener, most standard HSS twist drills can be resharpened in under a minute once you're familiar with the process. Manual sharpeners may take slightly longer but still typically complete the job in one to two minutes per bit. This is considerably faster than freehand sharpening on a bench grinder, which requires significantly more skill and time to achieve comparable results.

Can I sharpen masonry and wood bits as well as metal drill bits?

This depends entirely on your specific sharpener model. Most drill bit sharpeners are designed primarily for standard HSS twist drills used in metal and wood drilling. Some models can accommodate brad point wood bits, but masonry bits with carbide tips typically require either a specialised sharpener or a bench grinder with a silicon carbide wheel. Always check the manufacturer's specifications before attempting to sharpen different bit types.

How many times can I resharpen a drill bit before it needs replacing?

A quality HSS drill bit can typically be resharpened dozens of times before the flutes become too short or the bit diameter reduces significantly. Each sharpening removes only a small amount of material from the cutting edges. With proper technique, you can extend drill bit life by 10-20 times compared to simply discarding blunt bits, representing substantial cost savings over time.

Will a drill bit sharpener work with SDS drill bits?

Standard drill bit sharpeners are designed for parallel shank twist drills, not SDS bits. SDS masonry bits have specialised carbide tips and unique shank designs that require different sharpening approaches. If you primarily work with SDS bits for masonry drilling, you'll need either a bench grinder with appropriate wheels or a specialised carbide bit sharpener rather than a standard twist drill sharpener.

Do I need any special skills to use a drill bit sharpener?

One of the primary advantages of dedicated drill bit sharpeners is that they require minimal skill compared to freehand sharpening on a bench grinder. Most models use simple alignment guides and preset angles that automatically maintain the correct geometry. After reading the instructions and perhaps practising on a few old bits, most users can achieve excellent results immediately. This makes them ideal for those without traditional machinist training who still want professionally sharp drill bits.