The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest drill doctor???

any body got one? do they work? you got the cheap. well,less expense one or the deluxe deal.they look pretty sweet on tv.just spent $12.00 on two 3/8 cheap drill bits and i'm really tired of doing that.i also saw harbor freight has a knock off ,wonder about it also................dave

they're the cats meow, keep your bits sharp till they're down to the shank ... the one I got is the model 500X [not the top model], just because it was on sale at a local place - love it

Bill

are they hard to set up or use? i can be a a-1 moron whos subject to brain farts from time to time...............dave

they're a no brainer, just follow the pics in the book that's supplied, the slick part is the bit goes in a holder [only one way], and the holder goes in the hole, give it 2 turns - done ... they even included a DVD with the one I got

I've hand sharpened bits some in the past, but gave up on it with inconsistant results, the drill doc gets a perfect angle [one of 2 possibilities] every time, I sharpened a couple dozen bits in a matter of minutes and haven't found one yet that isn't sharp

Bill

definatley sounds like a no brainer.after $12 for two cheaper bits it rould pay for itself in no time.thanks.............dave

A very nice piece of equip.They do a great job,and all you have to do is follow the instructions.I have a can in the shop that I place my dull bits in. When it is full I get out the drill doctor and sharpen them up. I can sharpen a couple dozen bits in about a half an hour.

I've got the "better" one at work and the cheaper at home. Wouldn't be without them. Haven't bought a new bit since, I've even made some special length bits for specialty jobs. I highly recommend one if you do a fair amount of drilling,
Scott

I have the 500, red58 mentioned. The only difference between it and the 750 is an extra bit holder for up to 3/4". I think you can buy it separtely and I probably should. I wish it had a holder for hex shank bits. I like to use those with my hand drill and the shorter, smaller ones won't reach through the bit holder.

Mine was a Fathers Day gift a couple years ago, in case you are inclined to throw hints at your loved ones. Actually, I got a gift card and the Drill Dr was on sale at the time.

We have one in our shop. The old timers "eyeball sharpen" bits. I have been trying this for 50 years and still manage to sharpen a bit off center to where it cuts a bigger hole. I use the drill dr. However you do it, buying best quality American bits and re sharpening them is the best route to go. We also have one made by General that cost around $800. It is more complicated and no one ever uses it. It will sharpen very large bits, but the guys eye ball them.

My father has one, I simply hand him a zip-loc bag of dull or broken bits and it returns with sharp ones. Works well from what I could see standing there with a beer in my hand watching.

Scott

I learned many years ago how to sharpen drill bits opn a grinder. However the drill doctor takes the guess work out of it especially on the smaller ones.

I got my drill doctor as a Christmas gift from the wife. Works like a charm, and I used to have about 500 dull bits, now I have the same number of SHARP ones.

I have the model 750 from www.tooltopia.com It will sharpen bits at 118 degrees,140 and do split points.Sure beats hit or miss at the grinding wheel.

I have the 750. Does a great job.

I'll trust you guy's opinion. I just ordered a 750 from Tooltopia. Thanks for the link, gtow69.

I think you will be happy with it.I have had mine for several years,and it works really good. Just as with anything else,read the instructions.I got a video with mine too.

I have the cheapest one
Awesome

well i got suckered into buying one it could Handel up to 3/4 but it did not impress me much ,if all you needed was a little touch up i guess ,but any more ,throw the bit away and buy a new one .i bought a larger bench model Lisle bit grinder and you can really sharpen bit's !

yer holdin yer mouth wrong, old dog - I've re-pointed broken bits w/ the drill doctor, which is a lot more than "a little touch up" - in addition the drill doc allows for selecting the angle you want for particular uses, and changing the angle on a bit, as well as doing split point sharpening .... can't imagine there's any other grinder easier or faster to do the job well, and it doesn't cost $700!!!

Bill

i guess it comes down to your final tool expectation's ,quality, finished product ,part's life span .they howl like a banshee and the diamond wheel don't last very long ,the colletts did not like to hold fast. some people you just cant make happy !

speaking personally?
I've never had a problem with the machine working flawlessly, and the sound isn't much different than the many air tools I regularly use, high speed is always noisey but the 20 seconds it takes per bit is bearable, try earmuffs ... if the wheel wears out [easily replaceable and available for ~$25] 5 times in my lifetime [unlikely], I've still only spent 1/3 what the Lisle costs, and that works for me!!

Bill

I was in Home Depot yesterday and they had the DD350x on clearance for $36.75, so for that price I decided I didn't need the 500 or 750 and picked one up.

with the DD350x I have taken broken bits and dressed them on the grinder and then been able to sharpen them.

Here is a quick referance when sharping drill bits by hand or as one said eyeball that are standard production bits. Take two nuts and put them together and you will find out if you are on center or not. This works on drill bits up to 2" if you have a source of big nuts to put together. Most people when sharping bits tend to not relief or taper the back side. the back side of the bit and do not understand why it won't cut very well or at all. Now being a old buzzard the eyes are not as good as they used to be and the small bits need the drill doctor for sure these days.
62Blue
Don