Split Point Drill sharpening

[bobneumann]

Inexpensive and effective approach for sharpening and split-pointing drillbits

[Okapi]

Hello Bob,
This is what we call now a diamond point, on this video I'm not in accordance with the use of the wheel freehand, it's dangerous if it broke and that can comes easily.
When I was an apprentice we learn to cut the rear angle on the same grinding tool we use normally and with the protections included, now it's no more authorized to learn that to apprentices because people have the bad attitude to take protections out, but when made correctly it's without danger.

[bobneumann]

First of all, thanks for watching and for your honest feedback.

Hello Bob,
it's dangerous if it broke and that can comes easily.

I'm not sure that I agree with that. Eye protection is a must, of course. But this cutoff wheel only weighs maybe 20 or 30 grams. So if it breaks, while it could definitely mess up an eye, it's pretty much harmless to the rest of my body, at least as far as permanent damage goes. I don't count a little scratch on my hands or arms as "danger".

I also have pneumatic and electric cutoff tools. A full size cutoff wheel is much larger and has a lot more mass. Those I could consider dangerous to use in this fashion. (Even though I still do it, I admit that I'm doing something dangerous. ) But these little tiny dremel cutoff wheels just aren't dangerous, outside of eye protection.

[Okapi]

Make the speed calculation, at 20'000rpm, what is the energy in Joules of 30 grams, it's a nice small bullet, I'm not in accordance to say it's not dangerous, and if you simply touch a finger at this speed can make some damages too(I had a problem with my 90'000rpm dentistry tool with a diamond head less than 1 gram which broke and need chirugical action to take it out of my arm…).

[DIYer]

Thanks bobneumann! We've added your Split Point Drill Bit Sharpening Method to our Sharpening category,
as well as to your builder page: bobneumann's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Split Point Drill Bit Sharpening Method by bobneumann

tags: drill bit, sharpening

[Toolmaker51]

Not siding with any parties; but it is accurate to see both are correct. All tools carry that instant of failure, whether it occurs or not. I'm no safety-fascist, few events are are manageable afterward. But others can be minimized with certain protective measures.
I'd think mini tool wheels good point splitters; but with a simple V-block for the bit and yoke for motor. Split points have to be centered to penetrate where intended.

[Frank S]

There have been times when I have had to sharpen drill bits in the field using whatever grinding device I had at hand. My welding rig had a "V' trap on the back of the bed for welding small pipes or other things I usually would clamp the grinder in the "V" leaving both ads free for working the bit.
I won't condemn nor condone double free hand I'm not the one who had to or chose to do it that way. I'll just say that I would not mostly due to the lack of absolute control over the grind angle I have split point / diamond point whatever you want to call it bits on a belt sander I actually prefer to sharpen my bits larger than 3/4" on my belt sander

[tonyfoale]

Living is dangerous, it always ends badly, whereas sharpening a drill bit freehand only ends badly in a small percentage of cases.
Should we stop living or stop sharpening? I'll play the percentages.

[olderdan]

Living is dangerous, it always ends badly.

Well that says it all really, is that an original observation as I have not heard it before but its a keeper.

[tonyfoale]

Well that says it all really, is that an original observation as I have not heard it before but its a keeper.

Alan,

It was an original observation but I am sure that the same sentiments have been expressed by many others.