10 Best Drill Bit Sharpener Reviews – Sharp & Save Money in 2018

Drill bits wear down and dull away.

It is a norm.

Nevertheless, do you die a little bit inside every time you have to throw away your once very effective and uber expensive drill bits?

We get it, we do too.

The good news is that you can extend the life span of your dull and lifeless drill bits using a proper drill bit sharpener. And we are therefore on mission to help you find the Best Drill Bit Sharpener out there!

And that’s not all. We have put together a buying guide for drill bit sharpeners that is both fool-proof and full-proof enough to help you understand what you need to look for in great sharpening tools.

We are going to teach you everything you need to know, starting from the how to’s, care and maintenance and of course, your FAQs.

Let’s start!

Best Drill Bit Sharpener Reviews in 2018

Our top 10 sharpener reviews of some of the most well-received bit sharpeners are going to be your one-stop solution.
 

1. Drill Doctor 500X Drill Bit Sharpener Review

The first one in our list is from Drill Doctor is their 500X Drill Bit Sharpener.

The Drill Doctor 500X Drill Bit Sharpener is surely going to make you happier. This sharpening tool does everything the last one does, but only better!

The 500X Sharpener relies on an industrial grade diamond sharpening wheel that can easily have through most drill bits like butter.

Speaking of drill bits, this tool can sharpen any high-speed steel, carbide, cobalt, TiN-coated, masonry, and split-point bits, and any standard twist bit as well!

The chuck sits easily, is easy to use and offers good adjustments through visible guide since it uses English, metric, and letter gauge bits.

This guy should take care of all types of drill bits rusting away in your toolbox. Anyway, as for the dimensions, just like most Doctor drill sharpeners, the 500X is lightweight and compact. Needs no other tool in conjunction and is very much an independent tool sharpener.

The 500X Drill Bit Sharpener uses set angles at 118° and 135°, and can sharpen drill bits from 3/32 of an inch to 1/2 an inch.

2. Drill Doctor DD350X Drill Bit Sharpener

The next one that we have in our list is also a winner. Drill Doctor produces some of the most popular and affordable drill bit sharpeners in the market, and the DD350X Drill Bit Sharpener is no different.

The DD350X Drill Bit Sharpener is an electronic sharpening tool quite like the few previous tools that we picked.

It worked independently a you have to do to get it working is plug and it, and you are set. The DD350X Drill Bit Sharpener is super compact and lightweight. It is in fact one of the more petite ones we have reviewed so far!

However, don’t fall for its size. This tiny sharpener has sharp teeth! The DD350X Drill Bit Sharpener can sharpen most standard twist bits and masonry bits that range from 3/32 of an inch to 1/2 an inch.

But you can furthermore use it for high-speed steel, carbide, cobalt, and TiN-coated drill bits. Oh and it has a set angle of 118°. Pretty neat for a tool this size. Not bad at all, right? The DD350X Drill Bit Sharpener is also very intuitive to use.

You have a chuck, which holds the drill bit and comes with all the necessary adjustments guides, which furthermore lets you control how to want your bits taken care of. The chuck holder moves up and down to ensure easy hand maneuver so that can sharp through all your bits comfortably. We see why people like it so much now.

3. Drill Doctor DD750X Electric Drill Bit Sharpener

Alright then. If you think you are willing to upgrade from the 500X Drill Bit Sharpener for a little extra bucks, then the DD750X Drill Bit Sharpener is exactly what you are looking for.

The DD750X Drill Bit Sharpener, much like most of Doctor Drill’s X series, is electronic and needs no addition power tools to help it do its work.

Kudos to that! It is very lightweight and compact so you will have no problem finding space for it in tool sheds and basements. So much so, you can in fact carry it it’s so tiny.

Enough about that, let’s get to the main deal. The DD750X Drill Bit Sharpener uses an industrial-strength diamond sharpening wheel to shave and polish your drill bits to perfect sharpness.

Speaking of which, you can sharpen any bits from high-speed steel, cobalt, TiN-coated, masonry, carbide and split-point.

As for sizing, you can work with any standard twist bit or split-point bit as long as it is 3/32 of an inch to ¾ of an inch. The tool has guides to walk you through everything and offers good adjustability. It provides adjustable point angles from 115° to 140°.

4. ARKSEN Multi Purpose Power Sharpener Drill Bit Kit

And the forth name to make it to our list is the Multi Purpose Power Sharpener Drill Bit Kit from ARKSEN.

The Multi Purpose Power Sharpener Drill Bit Kit is yet another one of our multipurpose and multifunctional drill bit sharpeners on the list.

It is electronic and requires no additional power tool in conjunction to do its job. This tool offers its service to a lot more than just drill bits.

You can furthermore sharpen knives and scissors, chisel and planers. That’s a lot of sharpening done all in one tool, ey?

Anyway, the housing looks robust and the grinding wheel sits inside it and can reach speeds of up to 6700 rpm! The sharpening moth or insert can accommodate knives, chisels and planers that are ¼ of an inch to 2 inches wide. As for the drill bit mouth, you can sharpen almost any drill that is from 7/64 of an inch to 3/8 of an inch.

The ARKSEN Sharpener Kit is lightweight and more or less compact as well. You have proper guidance and indicators marked all over so it’s pretty easy to use as well!

5. Woodstock D4144 Drill Sharpener

The next drill bit sharpener on our list is a name we hear about a lot. It is the D4144 Drill Sharpener from Woodstock, and it is one of the most popular sharpening tools within the average budget margin.

The Woodstock D4144 Drill Sharpener, quite similar to the Drill Master Hand Drill Bit Sharpener, is not a one-stop drill bit sharpener. It in fact has to be used in combination with a vertical wheel bench grinder.

The great thing here is that that you have the liberty and options to choose from various grinding stones instead of settling with a manufacture-fixed one. In other words, you can experiment with grinding wheels of various grits and see what works best for you and your tools!

Woodstock D4144 Drill Sharpener furthermore offers you to sharpen your drill bits at various drill point angles too!

As for convenience, the tool itself, minus the bench wheel and all, isn’t all that humongous. It is in fact very compact and lightweight. Enough to sit on your palms!

And last but not least, the Woodstock D4144 Drill Sharpener is great for shaving off bits from 1/8 of an inch to ¾ of an inch with great speed and smoothness.

6. Multi-Sharp 2001 Multi Sharp Dual Purpose Drill Bit Sharpener

If you are looking for a drill bit sharpener that comes with twice and value and versatility, then look no further because the 2001 Multi Sharp Dual Purpose Drill Bit Sharpener from Multi-Sharp is exactly what you are looking for!

The Multi Sharp Drill Bit Sharpener is something you will have to use in conjunction with your drilling machine. You already how and how and why’s already.

Attach the Multi Sharp Sharpener to mouth of the drilling machine and crank up the speed! Next, slowly shave and sharpen your drill bits through the bit insert. Simple.

It can work its magic on both HSS and masonry drill bits! And this furthermore includes 2 and 4-edged, SDS plus bits and Brad bits! Oh and it has a bit capacity of 3 to 13mm.

However, the reason why this is called a multi-functioning or dual-purpose drill bit sharpener is because it can also polish up other tools like bradawls, punches, cold chisels and TCT tile and laminate cutters. That’s hitting 2 birds in 1 stone with the Multi Sharp Dual Purpose Drill Bit Sharpener!

Apart from that, the nice thing is that this sharpener fits into almost any drilling machine so you’ll not have to worry about fitting too much. And to add to all these, the grinding wheels are replaceable so you can keep changing when whenever necessary.

7. Neiko 10170A Electric Drill Bit Sharpener

If you are liking our electronic and no-conjunction type of drill bit sharpeners, then the 10170A electric drill bit sharpener from Neiko is another treat for you.

The 10170A sharpener is an all electronic tool. This means that you need not require the presence or use of any drilling machine of bench to be able to sharpen your tools.

The 10170A  sharpener is independent and all you have to do is just plug it in and crank up the power switch. However, the best and appealing part of the this drill bit sharpener is that is comes with 2 sharpening heads.

You have a sharpening head for smaller bits, and a larger head for larger bits. Makes sense, right? The smaller head will sharpen drill bits from 1/8 of an inch to 3/8 of an inch while the larger heads accommodate s5/16 of an inch to 5/8 of an inch. That’s not even all.

You can sharpen carbon steel and high speed steel (HSS) drills, and furthermore adjust between twist bits and split-point bits. Seriously, it doesn’t get any more versatile than the 10170A drill bit sharpener for its price range.

However, there’s more to it. To add to all these, you also have separate speeds for the smaller and larger heads. The smaller heads reach and operates on 1420 rpm while the larger one runs on 1720 rpm.

Different drill bits’ sizes need different speeds, and we are very much impressed with this small yet so significant detail.

8. General Tools 825 Drill Grinding Attachment

The 8^th name to make it to our list of the drill bit sharpener is probably one of more recognized and staple tools in most tool shed: the 825 drill grinding attachment from general tools.

825 drill grinding attachment is one of those drill sharpeners which you will need to attach to an electric bench grinder or a surface grinder. The tool itself is very compact and weighs no more than a few ounces.

However, you will be surprised at how brilliantly it works. It has an angle adjustable gauge that allows you to copy the angle point of almost any of your drill bit.

It can sharpen drill bits with diameters up to ½ an inch. It in fact furthermore works on countersink bits too! This is a very impressive function on this sharpener since counter bits can be difficult to work with.

However, one of the best and smartest features on the 825 drill grinding attachment has to be its pivoting neck. The pivoting neck of this sharpening tool allows you to grind, shave and sharpen both side of your drill bit without having to taking it out from the bit insert!

This means less hassle and we couldn’t ne any happier about that.

9. Grizzly G1081 Drill Length Sharpener

Alright, so the 9^th one that we have is Grizzly G1081 from the company Grizzly. The name itself is an identification of the power that it offers. The chance is very low that you will have a hard time sharpening with this device as the grind and sharpen power is high enough.

The unit has a grind and sharpen rate of 1/8 – ¾ bits which is decent for almost any purpose. The price is very much within range and the weight is around 1.34 lbs which is not that much either.

There is a concept of relief angle that has been used in this tool. A relief angle makes sure that you are not into too much trouble when you are working on those tough edge and corners. You have to place the sharpener in different angle to cut perfectly and that’s when a tool like this comes handy.

You will always find it easier to cut with this one with the 59-degree angle support. The rotational stop feature also helps a lot in making it is a powerful tool for edges.

10. Drill Master Hand Drill Bit Sharpener

If you want an affordable and cheap way out, then the last pick for the top rated drill bit sharpener is for you. The hand drill from drill master is probably the most basic and simple, and easy to use sharpening tool out in the market!

First of all, the first and foremost thing you need to know about the drill master hand drill bit sharpener is that you will need a drilling machine to be able to make use of it.

Why? Well, it isn’t a stand-alone drill bit sharpener. It in fact work in combination with you drilling machine to shave, or exfoliate, the blunt tips of the bit. What you have to do is first is attach the sharpener to your drill.

Keep in mind that the drill must operate on 2000 to 3500 rpm (rotations per minute) to give you results. The rotation and torque of the drill machine is what spins the sharp abrasive grinding stone of the tool where you sharpen the bits.

Speaking of which, the grinding stone is a 100 grit stone, which gives you a smoother and sharper finish. Crank on the machine, insert the dull drill bit through the sharpener and shave away to perfect sharpness!

The Drill Master sharpener comes with built-in guides for easy understanding. You can sharpen drill bits from 5/64 of an inch to ½ an inch with an angle stop of 60° to the left. Simple, no-fuss and basic. Perfect for tight-budgeters.

Drill Bit Sharpener Buying Guide

Read our well researched buying guide before make a purchase.

Size and Weight

The first and foremost thing to look for in a proper drill bit sharpener is its size and weight.

Now the thing is: no size or weight is good or bad. You simply have to pick one according to your needs and demands.

If you are someone who has to sharpen drill bits and other tools on a regular basis, then we recommend that you opt for something a little heavy-duty, which also tend to be on the bulkier side. Make sure you have enough space to place it as well.

On the other hand, if you happen to be an infrequent user or need something for home-use, then opt for smaller and lightweight ones. They fit almost everywhere and are furthermore storable.

Drill Bit Size

Alright this is important so listen closely. A drill bit sharpener will not sharpen drill bits of each and every size in the world. These tools aren’t universal and you have to get it into your head.

However, most drill sharpening tools will offer size ranging from as small as 3/32 or 4/64 of an inch to as much as ½ an inch, or sometimes even ¾ of an inch. This range does end up covering a wide spectrum so it’s all good for now.

So, don’t just go and pick up any drill bit sharpener thinking it will sharpen every bit you have. Check the sizes of your drill bits and purchase according to that. Don’t tell we didn’t warn you when they don’t fit!

Drill Bit Material

One furthermore very important thing to look into is whether the drill sharpener you are buying will be able to sharpen the type of drill bit you have.

Chances are that the sharpener will sharpen drill bits of most materials, however, there may be a difference in finish and overall result. Most mainstream drill bits sharpeners will easily tackle bits made from steel, HSS, cobalt, titanium coated bits, and more.

It will furthermore comply with twist bits and split-points. However, if you have any special drill bits with a very uncommon material in its making, then we always recommend that you look through the specs of your preferred sharpener before purchasing.

Almost all packaging will let you know that type of drill bits their sharpening tool is compatible with. If they don’t have it mentioned in the packaging, check the instructions manual or check with the sales rep.

The Grinding Element

The grinding element is one of the most important parts of any drill bit sharpener. And the reason why are calling it an “element” is because these grinder come in many forms. It could be a grinding stone, or something close to a grinding wheel.

Whatever it is though; the important thing is that you get a grinder element that is sharp and very abrasive. Make sure you know the grit size of the grinder. Most commonly, sharpener will use a 100 grit to something as high as 180 or more.

The higher the number, the more abrasive and sharper the texture. Speaking of which, try and get your hands on diamond grinding wheels. Diamond is the hardest, sharpest stone in the world after all! Grinding wheels or stones are furthermore replaceable, so keep the model or grit size in mind if you ever must replace.

How To Use a Drill Bit Sharpener?

Drill bit sharpeners come in various forms. Needless to say, operating it is different and varies from one to the next. However, there are 2 very basic and common types of drill bit sharpeners and here’s how you use them:

In Conjunction With Another Tool

The most common and affordable drill bit sharpeners have to be used in conjunction with another tool, usually a power tool. This could be a drilling machine or a saw bench. In case of using it with a drilling machine, you first of all attach the chuck of the sharpener to the chuck of the drill machine.

Turn on the drill machine to high speed and then insert the drill bit through the bit insert. And finally, shave away to your preferred angle and sharpness. In case of a bench, attach the sharpener to the rotating element of the bench. Pull and lift the rotating head to sharp away.

Independent Tool

Independent drill bit sharpeners do not need any other tools to help it sharpen drill bits. They work on their own and are usually electronic. Theses types of sharpeners are so much easier to use and are therefore a tad bit more expensive.

You just plug in the power cord, adjust any angle, start the tool and insert your drill bit through the insert. You must keep your hand steady and have a good grip of the bit holder. Push gently and voila.No fuss, no nothing, Fast and easy.

Benefits To Using A Drill Bits Sharpener

There are some awesome benefits to using a good drill bit sharpener.

Extends The Life Cycle Of Old Drill Bits

We understand what it feels like to have to throw away old, chipped and dull drill bits which you once bought for a high, premium price. They worked well and now their time is up. Right?

Not at all. Did you know that you sharpen revive and bring back life to these “throw away” drill bits with the use of a drill bit sharpener? Well, now you do! A drill bit sharpeners is a knight in shining armor for your old bits.

This tool or device uses a very abrasive and textural element, usually a grinding stone, to scrape off the tips of your dull or chippy drill bits. As a result, the outer most layers receive an exfoliation to reveal a smoother and sharper tip.

Now, you can once again use your favorite and expensive drill bits like brand new, and furthermore achieve better results!

Is Cost-Effective

Drill bit sharpeners will cost varying from size, components and of course, performance. You can easily get sharpeners that cost as low as 10 bucks, however, there are ones that will also come with price tags as high as a couple of hundred dollars, or more!

If you aren’t running a tool shop, then do not bother getting yourself those fancy, commercial ones. You can easily get quality drill bit sharpeners for so much less. And although, one could argue that having them sharpened at a tool store is cheaper, and it is!

However, it the long run, when you have to use the sharpen your drill bits regularly; it is much for economical to invest in a drill bit sharpener than you have to run to the store very time.

It’s honestly a simple calculation. The cost and expensive you bear by the time you are at the store 3 to 4 times for bit sharpening equals the price of a good sharpener. Be money-smart for once!

Sharpening For The Noobs

Okay, here’s the thing. You can sharpen your drill bits just as well  without using a drill bit sharpener. However, it takes years and years of practice and experience in the construction and tool scene.

Experts and tool veterans can use simple things like a sharpening stone, bench, fire from the dragons, etc, to sharpen up those dead bits back to new. However, it isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. If you are fairly new to the scene, then we recommend you stick to a good old bit sharpener to  avoid ruining your bits by trying to play God.

Can be Multifunctional

A drill bit sharpener will sharpen old, dull drill bits. However, did you know, that there are drill bit sharpeners that can multifunction?

Yep. Drill sharpeners can also sharpen other tools and accessories like knives, chisel and planers. Look through or list of drill bit sharpener reviews to take a look at these types of sharpeners.

Keep in mind that these type of drill bits will of course, cost a little more and have a bulkier body. However, it is totally worth it when you can get through sharpening almost every other tool in your home for a fraction of the price.

Also Read: 10 Best Lightweight Drill for a Woman – Boost Your DIY Skill

Care and Maintenance

1. Always pull out the plug of your drill bit sharpener after use. You may find that the tool gets warm when it is plugged in even if it is not in use.

2. If it gets to hot, let it cools and wipe with a damp piece of rag or cloth.

3. Do NOT insert your fingers through any of the drill holes or try to adjust any internal parts while the sharpener is in power.

4. If your sharpener tends to wobble, we recommend that you place a damp rag under the tool to stabilize it. Or, attach adhesive pads under it. You can easily buy them off Amazon.

5. Get a storage bag for the drill bit sharpener. Helps protects it from external debris and damages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drill Bit Sharpeners

How long does the grinding wheel last?

Answer: Well, that’s a tricky question since it depend entirely on the type of grinding stone. However, on average, a grinding stone should last you up to 200 to 300 uses.

How can I clean afterwards?

Answer: Good point. First of all, begin by unplugging the tool from the power source. Then, let it cool since it is very normal for it to be a little hot. After it has cooled, take a vacuum cleaner and you know what to do next.

What is the difference between a 118° and 135° point angle?

Answer: 118° point angle is for drill bits which are for drilling into soft surfaces and materials like aluminum, wood, etc. And 135° is for drilling into harder materials like stainless steel. They are perfect for stainless drill bits and metal drill bits as well..

Can I replace the grinding wheel or element with a different grit size?

Answer: As far as we know, you should be able to a 100%. However, keep in mind that the grit will manipulate the type of finish on different types and sizes of drill bits. Many people therefore choose to stick to the factor-chosen grit size.

Is it normal for drill bit sharpeners to overheat?

Answer: Very much, yes. There is a usually a very powerful motor rotating the grinding wheel so it is very normal for it to induce some heat when the bits hits the wheel.

Conclusion

This is the end of our best drill bit sharpener reviews. Drill bit sharpeners are an excellent way to bring back life into your old, dull lifeless drill bits. It is furthermore a great way to extend the life span and save the cost of buying more drill bits. Needless to say, having a great drill bit sharpener is important.

And so we put together a content that is ready to equip you with everything you need to know in order to pick the best drill bits sharpener! Go through our buying guide, FAQs and how to’s to understand every in and out of this amazing tool. Next, head right into our reviews of some of the best one we chose for you!

With this, it’s a wrap to our take on drill bit sharpeners. We hope you enjoy and find our article useful the next time you are shopping for this staple and must-have tool. Until next time. Good luck!