Drill Doctor

[ryan.s]

Do any of you guys use the Drill Doctor? I've been thinking about getting one for while now but am wondering if it really is worth it. Assuming it works as advertised is it worth spending $40 - $100 on a drill doctor as a hobbyist? I guess it really depends on how often you use up your drill bits. Just wanted to get some opinions on what you guys think whether you use one or not.

Thanks!

[Warren]

I use one, the 300, it works. I don't know that it's any easier than using a stone, but it does give a clean, uniform cutting edge. It's particularly useful when repairing a damaged bit.

I like it!

[BigguyZ]

The workshop I worked in once-upon-a-time had a drill doctor. I used it to clean up a bunch of worn bits. I think it does work pretty well. It takes some technique, but it's not that difficult. I don't think it gives a factory quality edge, however.

Now is it worth the $? That depends on how $$ your bits are, how fussy you are about them, and if sharpening them is cheaper than buying new ones. The three bit sets I've owned have been Blue Mol (I think that's how it's spelled), Dewault, and Skill. I didn't spend much on them so I treat them badly and just replace when too many of the bits are dull/ broken.

[LarryG]

I don't own one, and have never felt I'm missing anything. As with most tools, it's largely a matter of individual need. As a woodworker I use brad points for at least 90% of the holes I drill (Forstner bits aside), and unless I'm mistaken, the Drill Doctor only works on regular twist bits. For what little I use those, I just buy cheap ones and, when they wear out, throw them away and buy more cheap ones.

[jhart]

I own one, got it about 1 1/2 years ago. Set it up, sharpened every bit I had and haven't used it since. Does a nice job, but hard to do the real small, thin bits.

Was just drilling something a couple of days ago and the bit was dull and was thinking it may be time to do it again. Doesn't take much time, just getting it out and set up.

I don't think I would get it again, as obviously, I don't/haven't used it very much.

[bthere]

As a tool junky, it is hard for me to ever say I don't need any tool. However, I can't justify the cost for Drill Doctor. Most of my drilling is in soft material, and the majority is in wood. In wood, I tend to use brad points that the Drill Dr. won't work with. It is rare that I use a standard twist drill to the point that it is dull. If I do dull one, it gets thrown away and I buy another bit at a very reasonable price.

I imagine that one day I'll stumble across a Drill Doctor at a garage sale for $10 and I'll buy it. My guess is that I would sharpen all my bits in an afternoon, and then the sharpener would go on the shelf of tools that I don't really need, but bought anyway.

[LinuxRandal]

I don't own one, and have never felt I'm missing anything. As with most tools, it's largely a matter of individual need. As a woodworker I use brad points for at least 90% of the holes I drill (Forstner bits aside), and unless I'm mistaken, the Drill Doctor only works on regular twist bits. For what little I use those, I just buy cheap ones and, when they wear out, throw them away and buy more cheap ones.

The Drill Doctor works on regular split point AND masonary drills. I have the 750x that I picked up whenever someone posted it in the bargin alerts here. I also picked up the linked to left handed chuck (Amazon), but it was for the NON x series only, and they still don't sell the x series LH chuck. I do go from working with metal to wood, so it is handy, and if you have a decent set of regular bits, I do recommend it.

[LCHIEN]

I have one and it does a good job. I tried to use the grinder method and although i sharpened a few successfully, it took a long time and I never really felt I had the hang of it.

Pros:
The DD makes it possible to get a quick and consistent point of std. bits.
Able to sharpen a bit any time, don't need to go to a store to buy a new bit.

Cons:
can't do specialty bits (brad point, 135 degree)
Can't do really big or really small bits
Costs - costs much more than a few sets of bits.


if you don't use a lot of bits often, or only have the 13-bit set (e.g. 1/16-1/4 by 16th) or have inccomplete sets with lots of lost or broken bits, then you probably don't need this.

If you have (like me) fractional, lettered and numbered sets with every bit still in it and want to have a 15/64ths when you want it, and drill steel and metals, then this is a good thing to have.

Either way a dull bit is a bummer.

[mschrank]

I've considered buying one, but like others mentioned, I mostly use brad point bits.

I figure I can buy a lot of regualar bits (that I rarely use) for the cost of a Drill Dr.

[Tom Slick]

one benefit is when you have a dull bit at 6pm on a saturday evening you don't have to wait and run to the hardware store on monday.
you don't have to leave your jobsite (or house) to get another bit. 2 minutes vs. 20.
you also forget how much faster and cleaner a sharp bit drills then a dull bit.

I drill alot of steel so it is nice to be able to resharpen the bits to get accurate holes.

[Rob R]

i picked one up at a local hardware store when they were doing a 50% deal for their anniversary. I got the 50$ one, so i paid like 25 for it.

i used it to sharpen all of my twist bits, and after drilling with a couple of them, forgot how quickly they work when sharp. it doesn't take long to sharpen them.

mostly in wood i use brad points, but for drilling the holes in my bt stand for the hurculift etc, you can't beat a twist, and so what if it gets dull, 2 minutes later you're good to go.

i also found that i'm not using my brad points in MDF anymore either. abusing the twists on those too.

so, maybe worth it if you find a deal, i would pay $50 for it, you could buy a lot of twist bits to have on hand for that, but if you find a deal, you'll be glad you have it.

rob

[whitecobra]

Half my bits are Forstners and then 40% more are brad point that leaves only 10% for bit that it CAN sharpen for me it wont' serve any purpose

Now if they had one for brad point and Forstners I would bite

Dr D

[jwaterdawg]

Cons:
can't do specialty bits (brad point, 135 degree)

I think this depends a lot on the model. The model (750) I picked up several months ago during an Amazon clearance will do both 118 and 135 degree. I've used it several times, and although I will probably not use it that often I figure it will pay for itself over the course of it's life and more importantly:

Either way a dull bit is a bummer.

[SHADOWFOX]

I've got the 500X during the Rockler clearance sale. Needless to say it remains unused and still in the box.

[John Hunter]

I am lucky, my woodworker club has one that the members can check out and return at the following meeting. I used it about a year ago and sharpened a bunch of bits. Worked fine and I am still using the bits. Sure is great to be able to use it without having to buy it.