Router bit sharpening

[lum747]

I have accumulated a number of different router bits that are mostly dull, I read a comment on forstener bits that arrived and needed to be sharpened so the person stated that he sharpened them with Dremmel tool, has anyone ever done that? If so what' is the secreat?
Thanks

Lum

[LCHIEN]

I have accumulated a number of different router bits that are mostly dull, I read a comment on forstener bits that arrived and needed to be sharpened so the person stated that he sharpened them with Dremmel tool, has anyone ever done that? If so what' is the secreat?
Thanks

Lum

I would think that's a horrible way (dremel rotary tool). CAn't get in the corners and can't keep a straight line. Plus you need diamond tools to sharpen carbide bits (if you're talking carbide bits...). You see very few dremel diamond bits and like I said they're rotary and not flat. You can't sharpen a perfectly flat, smooth edge with a rotary tool.
Use a small flat diamond hone or diamond needle file and flatten along the shear face of the carbide - the flat section radiating from the center of the bit to the outside. Never work on the outside diameter as that will alter the profile and or diameter of the bit. Very fine grits are used... 600 or 1200 typically.

Look at this article for how it's done. There's probably some Youtube videos on how to do it if you search for sharpening carbide router bits

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/c...outerbits.aspx

[cabinetman]

As inexpensive as router bits are, it's not worth changing the size and profile by trying to sharpen your own. You could send the bits out to get sharpened. Those that do carbide use round type wheels but are set up to dress edges mechanically in a straight line. That takes precision equipment.

The only bits I dress are straight edged flutes, and I use a small hand hone like these. It takes a flat dressing to the back side of the flute, and a slight touching to the face. It's very easy to reduce the size of the carbide, so you stand the chance of ruining the profile.

I could be using mortising or flush cutting bits for many hours and for many days, and a light dress up keeps them fairly sharp. They in no way get as good a profile as having a professional sharpening done on them or a new bit.

.

[lum747]

Dremmel sharpening

Ya I couldn't see how that would work

[LCHIEN]

Easy Router bit vise project i designed, you can easily use to hold bits while honing edges.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=53809

[All Thumbs]

Here is an article on doing it w/ a Dremel:

http://woodgears.ca/router_lift/sharpen.html

[LCHIEN]

Here is an article on doing it w/ a Dremel:

http://woodgears.ca/router_lift/sharpen.html

I suppose that diamond wheel on a dremel could work. I think it turns awfully fast and could overcut, or grab and spin away out of control... you see most of the honing techniques say take a few strokes (to touch up an edge), that would happen in about 5 milliseconds with a dremel even using a VS one at slow speed.

[cabinetman]

From the video, I see some inherent danger in running an unsupported wheel, and unsupported bit. As for milliseconds, that's all it would take to incise a finger. Without supporting the bit or the wheel, it's just luck and guesswork in maintaining the correct profile.

.