Forget The Bench Grinder: Sharpen Drill Bits Using A Tool You Already Have

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

As many of us know, keeping your twist drill bits sharp makes your DIY life so much easier, but sharpening them may be a bit frustrating. (Bad pun, sorry!) But if you own a Dremel tool (as many of us do), you have a way to make that task easier. 

There are few tools as multi-functional as a Dremel, but sharpening twist drill bits (there are many types of drill bits) with it requires some setup for success. First, you should know that there are two basic cutting angles used on twist bits: 118 degrees for wood, plastic, and composite materials like MDF and plywood. For drilling metal, 135 degrees is most common. Do you need to grind your bits to exactly those standards? No, but you should approximate them as you sharpen.

To accurately sharpen your bits with a Dremel, you need a way to secure the bits with their cutting edges easily accessible to the grinding bit of your Dremel tool. You also need a way to brace your hands as you hold the Dremel and grind the bit. Clamping the twist bit in a vise with ¼-inch or less exposed is about perfect. To freehand grind, hold your Dremel with one hand, grasp your wrist with the other hand, with that hand braced on the vise. Gently engage the Dremel bit, holding it at the angle that is already ground onto the drill bit. Remove a tiny amount of the metal, keeping the point of the twist bit in the center. Grind both cutting edges, and you are done.

While you will find the technique described above easier than it sounds, there are aftermarket attachments for the Dremel tool that control both the bit and the Dremel tool, reducing the chance of errant grinding. We call this sort of attachment a jig; it's a fixture that makes tasks more controllable and easier. Curiously, the Dremel company does not appear to have an attachment for this purpose. (They have a different dedicated machine for this task.) Most of these aftermarket accessories, like this one from Amazon, take away all the guesswork regarding the grinding angle. There are even versions that you can 3D print yourself if you'd like!

It would be inappropriate to discuss sharpening drill bits without addressing DIY project safety basics and considerations. Wear protective gloves and eye protection. While it is unlikely, accidents can happen when grinding, so being overly concerned about safety is no vice. Keeping your drill bits sharp is its own reward, but it can also be an enjoyable task, and with your Dremel, you can skip the bench grinder and sharpen drill bits in seconds.