Techniques to Sharpen Cobalt Drill Bits

Cobalt drill bits are the best option for the most robust materials for a custom steel project. They are made with a small percentage of cobalt fused with hot-work steel; these bits are naturally more robust and more heat-resistant than typical drill bits due to the cobalt's infusion. Some cobalt drill bits can even withstand temperatures up to 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.

It would be best if you had a pointy Cobalt drilling bit to make the cutting easier; therefore, the holes would be perfect. Counting on the task and whether you're drilling through wood, steel, iron, or titanium, the drill bits are available in a range of sizes and angle points. Cobalt drill bits are ideal for frequent usage because of their strong heat resistance. But after a short time, the leading edge becomes dull and needs to be sharpened. If you've got a bench grinder, you'll sharpen the bits on your own.

Why Should You Sharpen Drill Bits?

Just like a replacement car, a drilling bit starts to wear out the minute you begin using it. Unlike a replacement car, it's relatively easy to revive a drilling bit to its original sharpness.

If you're wondering why to sharpen drill bits instead of allowing them to be or replace them, here are a couple of reasons.

Reduces the danger of injury: There's a proverb in professional kitchens: Dull knives cut fingers. An equivalent is real of drill bits — the duller they are, the more likely they are to cause injury.

Reduces the prospect that the bits will break: A broken drilling bit can quickly become a projectile if it snaps mid-drilling. It's also a waste, as you're stuck having to travel out and buy new bits.

Protects your drill: Your fingers, eyes, and face aren't the only things that will be damaged by a dull drilling bit. The lighter the drilling bit is, the harder your drill has got to work, which may put a strain on the motor.

Cost-effectiveness: Sharpening the bits you already own is often less expensive than buying new ones.

Ensures a clean cut: Sharp drill bits are ready to traverse a wide range of materials neatly. When bits get dull, they tend to catch on the items they're drilling into, which may make your finished project look less neat.

Techniques to Sharpen Cobalt Drill Bits

The following are the three methods and their steps to sharpen a cobalt drill bit.

Method 1: Using a Bench Grinder

The following are the steps to sharpen a cobalt drill bit using a bench grinder:

STEP 1

Examine your dull bits. Your goal is to get rid of just enough metal to get a sharpened edge. Many bench grinders have two grinding wheels, one coarse and one fine. If the bits are ravaged, start with the coarse wheel, and switch to the finer one later within the process; if your bits don't look regrettable, begin with the finer emery wheel.

STEP 2

Don your goggles and switch on the bench grinder. Get a firm grip on your drilling bit and hold the leading edge precisely parallel to the front of the emery wheel. Move the bit slowly and gently until it makes contact with the wheel. Don't turn or rotate it; keep it straight and hold it at the first factory angle of 60 degrees.

STEP 3

Hold the bit at this angle against the wheel for four to five seconds. Remember: Your objective is to quickly grind the dull surface away, not affect the bit. Specialize in grinding the bit's heel, where the tip meets the twisted shaft—not the edge—to achieve the perfect angle. If the curve isn't steep enough, the drilling bit won't bore smoothly.

Read More: What is a Jobber Drill Bit?

STEP 4

Pause after four to 5 seconds of grinding and dip the drilling bit into the drinking water to chill the metal. Failure to try to do so will cause the drilling bit to become too hot to carry and even affect the metal faster, shortening the bit's practical lifetime. Once the bit is cool to the touch, inspect it to ascertain if it's honed to a real point on the side you only worked.

STEP 5

When satisfied with the purpose on the primary side, turn the drilling bit 180 degrees and use an equivalent grind-and-cool process for the other side of the tip. Aim for that 60-degree angle, and an inclination and point that's an equivalent width on each side of the drilling bit enables the tool to bore straight holes. Some people prefer to sharpen a touch on all sides to ensure equal sharpening, holding the drilling bit in their dominant hand and flipping it 180 degrees after every few grinding seconds.

STEP 6

Once the drill tip meets during a finely honed point, and both edges are sharp and therefore the same width, give the bit a test run. Hold the tip perpendicular against a bit of scrap wood and twist the bit by hand. Even with this slight pressure, a well-sharpened drilling bit should create the beginnings of a hole. If not, re-examine your tip and return to the emery wheel. Again, strive for that ideal 60-degree slope on purpose, with equal widths on either side. Don't be disheartened if you come back to the wheel several times—that's a part of the training curve.

STEP 7

Once you're confident in the sharpness of the bit, insert it in your drill, grab that scrap wood, and start drilling. It should "bite" the wood directly with minimal pressure and, once you extract the drilling bit from the wood, it should fling wood chips because it emerges.

Method 2: Using a Drill Bit Sharpener

Drill bit sharpeners provide an easy method to restore your cobalt drill bits. Whether it's an electric, drill-powered attachment or manual, these tools usually come with a user manual to assist you in achieving the correct sharpening angle and guarantee reliable results. Just connect the bit, read the tool's instructions, and set the sharpener to your bit size and angle to hone the cutting blades once again. They offer a more controlled and convenient option to freehand sharpening using a bench grinder.

Method 3: Using an Angle Grinder

Care and expertise are needed when using an angle grinder to sharpen cobalt bits. Start by attaching the bit, then gently move the grinder's flat disc to the required cutting angle while lightly touching the edges. Also, to avoid overheating, cooling with water must be done often. This technique is perfectly suitable for professionals as it requires a steady hand to get an even sharpening and prevent excessive material removal.