6 Best Drill Bit Sharpeners (Restore Dull Drill Bits)

If you find yourself a regular at your local home improvement store replacing old drill bits, consider reviving them with a drill bit sharpening tool.

These tools are safer than trying to sharpen your drill bits by hand and can save you a lot of time, money, and the frustration of having to replenish your supply so often.

To find the best drill bit sharpener, you should first consider the benefits of using one and your personal needs. Here are some benefits to owning your own drill bit grinder:

• Safety – Especially if you are looking for something for your business, you need to make sure you are compliant and keeping yourself and your workers safe. A powered drill bit sharpener can keep Workers’ Compensation claims down.
• Quality – A dull drill bit will not cut as accurately as a sharp one, which will diminish the quality of your project. Having easy access to sharp drill bits will help you plow through projects quickly and with professional results, whether around the house or for a client.
• Cost –While the initial cost of a drill bit sharpening tool may be more than you expected, expect long-term savings in most cases. This is one of those tools that will easily pay for itself.

Our 6 Favorite Drill Bit Sharpeners

	Product	Angle	Min Bit Size	Max Bit Size	Made In
	Drill Doctor 750X	115° to 140°	3/32"	3/4"	USA
	Tormek DBS-22 (Jig)	90° to 150°	1/8"	7/8"	Sweden
	Drill Doctor 500X	118° or 135°	3/32"	1/2"	USA
	Vevor MR-13B	95° to 135°	1/8"	1/2"	China
	Drill Doctor 350X	118°	3/32"	1/2"	USA
	General Tools 825	n/a	1/8"	3/4"	Taiwan

#2 – Tormek DBS-22 Drill Bit Sharpening Jig

If you are familiar with or already own one of Tormek’s excellent sharpening systems, like the T-4, this drill bit sharpening jig attachment is a no brainer. The DBS-22 drill bit attachment is designed to be seamlessly incorporated with the Tormek system.

This Swedish-made drill bit sharpening tool allows you to sharpen bits to four facet points for more precise results, making less heat when working. The optimal clearance angle works to easily adjust to suit different angles depending on the bit material and size.

Using the Tormek DBS-22, you can sharpen drill bits from 1/8 to 7/8 inches with 90 to 150 degree point angles. The jig is very well made and will stand up to years of use.

While it’s a little more difficult to set up, the results speak for themselves. You’ll get precise cuts on both sides of the bit at the same time.

A few users have found that the block holding the bit tends to move, and the cross-slide is not as secure as it should be, which can affect precise cuts. But others reported this not being the case.

As mentioned earlier, a Tormek sharpening system, such as the popular T4 water-cooled model, is required for use. While the setup isn’t as cheap as a standalone bit sharpener, you’ll have the ability to quickly sharpen almost any tool at your disposal whether it be an axe or chainsaw chain.

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#3 – Drill Doctor 500X Drill Bit Sharpener

Another good product by Drill Doctor, the 500X is sandwiched between the excellent 750X and the budget friendly 350X. Super easy to use, the 500X works quickly to sharpen a dull drill bit from 3/32″ up to 1/2″ in size and with either a 118 or 135 degree point angle.

Its lightweight design makes it portable and easy to take with you to any job site or around your house. Get more use from your drill bits, including high-speed steel, standard twist, cobalt, carbide, and tin-coated bits.

This one-piece system makes it easy for beginners or professionals to get it working as soon as possible. The durable 500X sharpens bits in under a minute and comes with a manual Push to Stop design to prevent over-splitting the bit point.

Be careful where you use the 500X as it heats up quickly with repeated use. If you plan on using this drill bit sharpener often, make sure to consider that it may need replacing after 200 uses.

Like all Drill Doctor sharpeners, it’s designed, engineered, and assembled right here in the United States. It also comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty to address defects or problems that may come up.

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#4 – Vevor MR-13B Drill Bits Sharpener

This is about as close as you can get to an all-in-one sharpening station. It has an adjustable angle, allowing for 95 to 135 degree point angles, as well as four lip relief angles via positioning pins.

11 elastic collets are included with room for a spare. This allows for the sharpening of 3mm (1/8″) to 13mm (1/2″) diameter drill bits. Sizes included are: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13mm. A professional collet chuck is included for safety. Both a CBN and SCD grinding wheel have been included, with the CBN being ideal for high-speed steel and the SDC for tungsten alloys.

The powerful DC motor allows grinding at 4500RPM without creating a lot of noise. Made of 45# steel, the unit is a bit heftier but far more durable than its plastic counterparts. In addition to the wheels and collets, two Allen wrenches are included you you have everything on-hand.

The MR-13B is so good that it’s constantly being compared to the Drill Doctor (but at a higher price). Unfortunately, the included instructions are nearly useless, so you will need to take a trip to YouTube to learn how to properly operate the sharpener. However, once you know what you’re doing, the process is quick, accurate, and reliable.

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#5 – Drill Doctor 350X Drill Bit Sharpener

Also part of the Drill Doctor family, the DD350X is a good drill bit sharpener for the hobbyist or home DIYer. The diamond sharpening wheel keeps its shape throughout many uses and keeps bits cool, so they do not warp while sharpening.

While it can handle the same bit sizes (3/32″ to 1/2″) as the larger 500X, the 350X is limited to sharpening standard twist and masonry bits to a 118 degree angle.

This updated design now comes with a front-loading chuck for more natural alignment and sharpening function. Be sure to set your drill bit evenly between the alignment fingers for best use.

The 350X is an excellent investment for the garage. Be sure to keep this close to an outlet or plug it into an extension cord since its power cord is only six feet long (shorter than similar models).

Because the outside shield material is plastic and not very durable, this sharpener is intended more for infrequent sharpening. However, you can purchase with confidence as the 350X comes with Drill Doctor’s three-year manufacturer’s warranty.

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#6 – General Tools 825 Drill Grinding Attachment

Made to attach directly to a bench grinder you likely already have, the General Tools drill bit sharpening attachment is a good, inexpensive option for bits 1/8″ to 3/4″ in diameter.

Get restored performance from your drill bit long after its projected use. This grinding attachment extends the life of your drill bit by sharpening back to factory standards.

The uniquely-designed pivoting neck allows you to grind both sides of the drill bit more effectively than similar low budget models.

The General Tools 825 grinder is perfect for workplace environments because it is OSHA, ANSI, and UL compliant making it a safer alternative than hand sharpening or other tools that are on the market.

The biggest negative with this product is actually in its instruction manual which look like a poor photocopy. Some users may find it difficult to properly install or understand this unit.

However, there is an online version of the manual and plenty of YouTube and independent tutorials to better help you set this attachment up and use it to its fullest potential.

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FAQs

Depending on what types of drill bits you have, look for a versatile solution that can grind many different sizes. Some drill bit sharpeners also come with attachments for different sizes and materials of drill bits.

You also want to consider how you will use it. If you plan on using it often, an industrial-strength sharpener with a diamond wheel will last you a long time and give you as close to manufacturer standard approved drill bits.

If you are still unsure about drill bit sharpeners consider these frequently asked questions.

How Does a Drill Bit Sharpener Work?

Powered drill bit sharpeners are the best way to sharpen drill bits. They make quick work out of something that would take a long time to do by hand and save you money from always having to purchase new drill bits.

You can set your drill bit sharpener at different point angles to grind down your dull drill bit and extend its use.

Do You NEED a Drill Bit Sharpener?

Like with other cutting tools, drill bits can become dull. Old, used up drill bits will not give you the clean, accurate holes when working. Similar to a dull knife, a dull bit can also be a safety hazard due to increased odds of slipping.

But one of the best reasons for owning a good quality drill bit sharpener is that it will save you trips to the store to keep your project moving along.

Standalone Sharpener vs. Jig or All-in-One Sharpener – Which is Better?

If you have particular needs and don’t anticipate needing a variety of sharpening tools, you may be better off with a standalone sharpening tool. A dedicated unit can be less expensive if you are a hobbyist or looking for something for yourself.

If you are looking for something that works with an interchangeable system or need to sharpen a range of other tools, consider an all-in-one sharpening unit.

Can You Sharpen Drill Bits By Hand?

Technically, yes. But we wouldn’t recommend it. You can try sharpening your drill bits by hand using a bench grinder or belt sander but you likely won’t approach the precise cuts that a dedicated bit sharpener can provide.

When sharpening by hand, you need to wear safety glasses and protective clothing because flakes of metal can fly off into the air. You must also be mindful of your hand placement, so you don’t catch your finger on grinding wheel or sanding belt.