Why would I want to sharpen drill bits?
Because you can save time and money, and you can extend the life of your drills and drill bits. If you use a drill on a regular basis, you will save money by sharpening your worn drill bits instead of throwing them away (or putting them in a drawer). And, you will save time by being able to keep working -without having to stop and make a special trip to buy new drill bits. For more information on the benefits of sharpening your drill bits click here.
How can the Drill Doctor save me money?
It will extend the life of your drill bits. Drill bits can be sharpened many times over. You can reduce or even eliminate the need to buy new drill bits. It will also save wear and tear on your electric drills. The sharper your drill bits are, the faster and easier you will drill - and the less stress you will put on your drill.
How long will it take me to break even on the cost of a Drill Doctor?
The answer depends on how often you use your drill, and the value of your time. If every sharpening represented the savings of not having to buy a new drill bit, it would take just about two dozen sharpenings to pay for a 250 Handyman.
However, do not overlook the value of your own time. If you have to stop working and drive somewhere to buy a new bit, what is that time really worth to you? With the Drill Doctor, you can produce nice, sharp drill bits at home or on the job, in just minutes. No special trips to the hardware store. This tool will save you time.
What types of drill bits can I sharpen?
You can sharpen most types of twist drill bits, including standard, masonry, carbide, TiN (titanium nitride), cobalt and left-handed. Drill Doctor does not sharpen brad point pits.
How many times can I sharpen a drill bit before it can't be used any more?
It depends on the length of the drill bit. On average, about .020" (twenty thousandths of an inch) of drill bit material is removed when you sharpen a standard steel drill bit. The longer the drill bit, the more times you can sharpen it. Generally, the larger bits are longer and therefore can be sharpened more times than smaller bits. With a 3" long bit, you might get as many as 150 sharpenings.
Can I sharpen masonry bits?
All Drill Doctor models can resurface masonry bits. You use a different setting on the machine to resurface the carbide tip of the masonry drill bit.
Can I sharpen specialty bits like TiN, Cobalt or carbide?
TiN (titanium nitride) is a coating/treatment applied to drill bits. On a Drill Doctor, these bits are sharpened just like regular standard twist drill bits.
Cobalt is used to manufacture drill bits to achieve even higher strength and durability. Cobalt bits are stronger than standard high-speed bits. They always use a split point. The Model 400 Journeyman, Model 500 Professional, and the Model 750 can replace the split point. In fact, these models can convert a standard bit into a split-point bit.
The Drill Doctor can sharpen carbide drill bits.
I sharpen my own bits using a grinder. Why should I use a Drill Doctor?
If you sharpen your bits with a grinder, and you get good results, then you have a rare skill indeed. Hand-sharpening drill bits has become a lost art. In fact, the Drill Doctor was designed to mimic the actions of the best hand sharpeners. The difference is that Drill Doctor makes drill bit sharpening a simple, mechanical, repeatable effort that achieves consistent results every time. Can you hand-sharpen with consistent results? The Drill Doctor can.
How do the five Drill Doctor models differ?
All 5 models contain a high-quality sharpening system which includes our EZ Align System™, ensuring precise sharpening every time. Also included with the 250 Handyman, 400 Journeyman, 500 Tradesman and the 750 Professional is a VHS video, showing how to use the Drill Doctor, and a one-year factory warranty.
The 100 Traveler is designed to take along - no matter where the job site may be. Powered by the user’s own electric or cordless drill, this sharpener is always available. Its lightweight and compact size makes it easy to store in tool or truck box. Since it employs the same sharpening technology as other Drill Doctor models, it is easy to use and provides the same precision results as the home workshop version.
• Sharpens standard twist 118° point high-speed steel, TiN-coated, and masonry bits
• Sharpens sizes from 3/32” to 1/2” (2.5mm to 13mm)
• Patented E-Z Align System™
• Quality construction for durability
• User-Replaceable sharpening sleeves
• Precision results, easy to operate
The 250 Handyman is ideal for the home workshop. It provides the homeowner, weekend craftsman, or hobbyist with the sharpening power needed to restore dull bits and keep on working. It comes with a powerful 1.75 amp motor, a long-lasting diamond sharpening wheel, and a six-foot power cord.
• Sharpens standard 118° point twist, high-speed steel, masonry, carbide, and TiN-coated bits
• Sharpens sizes from 3/32” to 1/2” (2.5mm to 13mm)
• Patented E-Z Align System™
• Sharpening time: 30-90 seconds depending on bit size and wear
• Quality construction for durability
• Diamond sharpening wheel
• Powerful 1.75 amp, 20,000 rpm motor
• Precision results, easy to operate
The 400 Journeyman is designed for the serious drill bit user, both professional and active “do-it-yourselfers.” It sharpens bits from 3/32” to 3/4, as well as creating and restoring split points.
It comes with a powerful 1.75 amp motor, a long-lasting diamond sharpening wheel, and a six-foot power cord. A user-replaceable 180 grit diamond sharpening wheel is shipped with the product and a 100 grit diamond sharpening wheel is available as an accessory for sharpening larger bits.
• Sharpens standard 118° point twist, high-speed steel, masonry, carbide, and TiN-coated bits
• Sharpens sizes from 3/32” to 1/2” (2.5mm to 13mm) (1/2” – 3/4” Large Chuck accessory available)
• Patented E-Z Align System™
• Sharpening time: 30-90 seconds depending on bit size and wear
• Quality construction for durability
• Diamond sharpening wheel
• Powerful 1.75 amp, 20,000 rpm motor
• Precision results, easy to operate
The 500 Tradesman shop model is designed for durability and the flexibility required to sharpen a full range of dull or broken bits—including split points. The 500 model sharpens standard 118° angle 3/32” to 1/2”, as well as to the high-performance 135° angle used on hard surfaces, like metal. It also enables the user to create self-centering split points from standard bits. It comes with a powerful 1.75 amp motor and features a user-replaceable diamond sharpening wheel.
• Sharpens standard twist 118° and 135° point, high-speed steel, masonry, carbide, TiN-coated, and cobalt drill bits
• Sharpens split point bits—and lets user create split point bits from standard bits
• Sharpens sizes from 3/32” to 1/2” (2.5mm to 13mm)
• Patented E-Z Align System™
• Sharpening time: 30-90 seconds depending on bit size and wear
• Quality construction for durability
• User-replaceable, diamond sharpening wheel
• Powerful 1.75 amp, 20,000 rpm motor
• Precision results, easy to operate
The 750 Professional is the top-of-the-line Drill Doctor. It has all of the features of the 500 Tradesman and includes a second chuck to handle larger drill bits—up to 3/4”. This drill bit sharpener does it all, restoring a full range of 118° angle dull and broken bits and the high-performance, 135° angle used on hard surfaces, like metal. Users can sharpen split points, as well as create self-centering split points from standard bits. It comes with a powerful 1.75 amp motor and features a user-replaceable diamond sharpening wheel.
Can I use the 3/4" chuck in the Model 250?
The 250 Handyman was designed for sharpening drill bits up to 1/2" in size. The 3/4" chuck will fit the Model 250, but because the Model 250 sharpening mechanism was not designed for bits larger than 1/2", it may not sharpen larger bits correctly.
What is the advantage of buying the 750 Professional over the 500 Tradesman?
The 750 Professional is designed for sharpening drill bits from 3/32" to 3/4". If you need to sharpen drill bits larger than 1/2", the 750 Professional is right for you.
If you already own a 500 Tradesman you may purchase a 3/4" chuck or the 500 Upgrade Kit.
What is the difference between the 400 Journeyman and the 500 Tradesman?
The 400 Journeyman sharpens 118° standard-twist drill bits, 3/32” – 1/2”. The 500 Tradesman sharpens 118° and 135° standard-twist drill bits, 3/32” – 1/2”. Both products can restore or create split points.
What kind of product maintenance is required?
Like any quality tool, periodic cleaning and maintenance is required to keep your Drill Doctor in top condition. Each chuck should be cleaned after 10 sharpenings, to remove any fine metal dust that may have collected inside. This can be done with compressed air and a small brush or rag.
Sharpening material also collects inside the unit, in the area around the sharpening wheel. When you replace the sharpening wheel (400 Journeyman, 500 Tradesman and 750 Professional only), we recommend that you vacuum and blow out this area with compressed air.
Both the 180-grit standard and 100-grit coarse diamond sharpening wheels are designed for long life, and will need to be replaced only after extensive use (400 Journeyman, 500 Tradesman and 750 Professional only). If you sharpen primarily large bits, the wheel will need to be replaced sooner than if you sharpen mostly small bits. On average, our customers report that they get about 200 sharpenings from one sharpening wheel.
Drill Doctor offers a special refurbishment program for the 250 Handyman because the diamond sharpening wheel cannot be changed by the owner without voiding the warranty. This includes replacing the diamond sharpening wheel, as well as complete cleaning and adjustment to bring the unit to factory specifications. A new 1-year warranty is issued after refurbishment. If you are interested in this program, please contact our Technical Support group at 800-597-6170.
No other user maintenance is necessary with the Drill Doctor.
How long can I expect a Drill Doctor to last?
All of the parts used in the Drill Doctor are high quality and designed for years of trouble-free use. If you take reasonably good care of the tool, it could last you a lifetime.
How many sharpenings can I get from one diamond sharpening wheel?
On average, you can expect about 200 sharpenings from one sharpening wheel. If you sharpen mostly small bits, you will probably get more than 200 sharpenings.
How long does it take to sharpen a drill bit?
It usually takes about one minute to sharpen a drill bit, a little longer if it’s a large drill bit or if you want to split the point.
How long has the Drill Doctor been manufactured?
The Models 500 and 750 were introduced in 1997, and the Model 250 Handyman was added to the product line in August 1999. The Model 100 Traveler was introduced in 2000, and the Model 400 Journeyman was introduced in 2002. Drill Doctor was formerly a division of Darex Corporation, the world leader in industrial sharpeners since 1973. The design of the Drill Doctor is based on the industrial drill bit sharpeners manufactured by Darex.
Is it hard to learn how to use the Drill Doctor?
No, but like any quality power tool that you are unfamiliar with, watching the video tape included with the package (Models 250, 400, 500 and 750) and reading the instructions will give you the best results. Every Drill Doctor includes simple instructions that show you exactly how to use the tool. For best results, we strongly recommend that you carefully watch the video and read these instructions before you try to sharpen any drill bits. In order to achieve precise sharpening results, it's important that you understand how the tool is designed to work.
In addition, the sharpening steps are shown on the unit itself, as well as here on our website. You may also watch an instructional video online.
I don't think my Drill Doctor is working properly. How can I get some help?
All of our operating manuals, sales brochures, and basic instructional guides are also available for you to download from drilldoctor.com. In order to view and print these documents, you must have the (free) Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in (version 3.0 or higher) installed in your browser. Complete instructions are available on our Downloads page.
If you are still having problems, call the Technical Support Group at 800-597-6170 from 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, Pacific Time. We have skilled technical professionals ready to solve your problem and help you get the most from your Drill Doctor. They have each model on hand and can resolve your problem quickly.
Most of the problems reported to our Technical Support Group are due to a lack of understanding of how to use the Drill Doctor. For this reason, it's very important that you take the time to read the instructions before you start using the Drill Doctor.
How does your product compare with others on the market?
We believe we make the best drill bit sharpener on the market. We invite you to compare the Drill Doctor to other sharpeners. Only the Drill Doctor includes all of these features:
EZ Align System™ Guarantees precise, consistent sharpenings every time
Diamond sharpening Wheel Hundreds of sharpenings
Adjustable chuck Easily sharpen many different sizes of drill bits
High-quality components Long life
