Customer Reviews

Drill Doctor 500X 3/32-Inch to 1/2-Inch Drill Bit Sharpener

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Before using the tool, I read the manual and completely understood the basic parts and principles. I practiced a few dry runs with no power. Once I got started, the Drill Doctor 500X paid for itself in about 2 hours of use. I sharpened over sixty, old 118-degree standard twist bits, from the first to the last, like new. I altered a few into split points and sharpened a hand full of masonry bits. It is about as simple as it gets. I have two regrets: I ran out of old bits to sharpen - and now - all my new bits will probably hang on the shelf and go unused for years. While cleaning, I discovered the excellent DVD and learned that I should have cleaned sooner. Even so, the waste debris was very little. Like many others, I had read reviews by people that ground bits down to nothing trying to learn how to use this tool. Pay no attention. Read and understand the instructions before beginning. That's all it takes. The machine does the rest. It would take a highly-skilled, master craftsman years to consistently duplicate the end result of this machine by free hand. I couldn't do it. I'm glad Drill Doctor saved me the time and trouble. Thanks!

I bought this machine a few months ago. I've used it to sharpen quite a few bits, 50+ ranging from HSS to masonry. I will emphasize that you MUST read the instructions thoroughly, and watch the DVD as well. It is important to know how the tool works, and why you will ruin bits if you don't follow the instructions.

To sharpen standard 118* bits couldn't be easier. This machine does an excellent job of it, and since I use most of my drill bits to drill in wood, this is the perfect angle for me. Split points can be ground on 118* bits, and I have done this with success. To sharpen masonry bits is also very easy, and the machine does an excellent job in this regard as well.

Where it gets tricky, for me anyway, is in sharpening 135* split point bits. These days nearly all bits sold are this type and it's nice to be able to recreate the same angle and split point. While I have sharpened bits of this angle with success, I haven't been able to get perfect results all the time. Proper alignment is critical. Trying to adjust the relief angle seems to make proper sharpening more difficult and I would not recommend it to someone who just got his hands on this machine. The relief angle is adjusted by putting the chuck to either side of the 118* alignment slot (the + and - increase and decrease the angle). This is to allow a more aggressive or less aggressive cut. Fiddling with this adjustment seems to throw off the split point when it is being ground as well, taking off way too much material. If too much material is removed during the split point procedure, subsequent sharpening of the bit will not yield the same angle since the alignment fingers will not hold the bit from is flutes, but from the newly ground area behind the split point. It is hard to visualize this, the mistake must be made to understand it fully.

Changing the diamond wheel is straight forward and easily done. The machine has a somewhat loud squeal when running, but it isn't too bad. I have sharpened broken bits with success, so that feature definitely works. Also, unless a bit really damaged during a botched sharpening attempt, it can most probably be sharpened to at least a 118* point again, though it will take a while and several alignment and sharpening procedures. I recommend the 100 grit wheel for when this must be done as it will take less time, and then a follow up can be done with the standard 180 grit wheel. The 750X has more features than just being able to accommodate larger bits, so in my opinion it is definitely worth it. I wish I had gotten that model instead, and I believe sharpening 135* and split points would be easier and faster. This is a quality product though, that I must say.

**EDIT 7/26/08**
After using my DD extensively during a project to sharpen a masonry bit, I noticed something that I hadn't observed earlier. When sharpening the bits according to the instructions, the machine does not put opposing angles on the tip of the bit. That is, it grinds both sides of the tip to an arrow point, and this is NOT conducive to easy drilling. In fact, I realize that I put unnecessary load on my drill using the "sharpened" bit. Perhaps experimenting with bit alignment might help, but that can just as easily ruin a bit you're trying to breath more life into.

**EDIT 8/3/10**
I am adding an edit to this review, mostly to address other reviews and comments about people needing to read and follow the instructions. On *MY* machine, only the 118* angle is indicated on the alignment port. There is NO mention of 135* angle, and this is why I had problems with aligning and sharpening 135* split point bits. After much experimentation and frustration, I finally got the 135* angle by inserting the chuck into the "-" slot, then putting the sharpening port at 135*. I don't know if my machine had a quality control issue, or if all the DD500X units are like this. To split the point on 118* or 135* bits, you need to align the bit at 118* regardless of the angle you sharpened the bit to. In splitting the point, it must be done carefully to avoid under-splitting because if that happens, the bit will NOT cut. For 135* bits, if the point isn't split, it really won't cut unless you're drilling into a very soft material like plastic or wood.

A long review for certain, and a good machine, but not without faults. After owning my machine for a couple of years and using it extensively I feel my four star review of "very good but not excellent" is fully justified.

I first picked out the lowest price model but after reading the instructions I decided that the 500X was going to be much more productive for the over 100 bits that I would be sharpening.
The device is everything that they say it is and if you are going to do much hand drilling the ability to split the point is great.
I am well satisfied.

I was a little skeptical about buying the Drill Doctor after reading a review that it was hard to use and didn't work well. I did read somewhere that the 500X has been updated so maybe some of the problems people were having were due to an old design? The updated version we received worked great. I bought the drill doctor for my Dad for Father's day. We opened the box right away and after a couple of minutes of reading the instructions (we didn't need to watch the video) we were sharpening all his old bits. It was easy (even easier then it looked on TV). If you want to sharpen your old bits then the Drill Doc is for you!

After years of punching holes with dull drill bits or in frustration, attempting to sharpen a bit on the grinder, and/or just buying a new bit, this device allowed me to sharpen all my drill bits, both numbered and fractional in about two hours with perfect points. I'll never try drilling anything again with a dull bit. I often drill plastics where I need to grind off the edge to prevent digging/cracking, then the bit needs to be set aside and not used for steel until it's resharpened. This tool makes that transition very simple. I'll now need to order the larger chuck for drill bits larger then 1/2 inch. I say thank you.

After a little confusion trying to determine the degree angle of each drill to be sharpened, machine worked as decribed. Sharpened 5 dull bits and made them "new" again. Appears to be well designed but only the test of time will see if it is a quality product. Read manual carefully and study each part before using.

I ordered this product because I got tired of being stopped in the middle of a project by a broken or dull bit. Rummaged through my toolboxes and pulled out 25 years of old bits. Sharpened a whole tub of bits in a little over an hour. This thing did everything they said it does.

A worthwhile addition to my shop.

I am very impressed with my Drill Doctor X500. It is easy to setup and use. One note of caution: You do have to be careful when resharpening a split point drill if the drill has a deep split point clearance ground along the flute. The aligment fingers can set down into a deep split point clearance and they will rotate the drill out of proper aligment. In turn you will not get the proper clearance behind the cutting edge. After I realized this could happend I would rotate the drill clockwise several degrees between the fingers and then lock it in place. This would permit grinding a good clearance behind the cutting edge without much problem. Don't let this problem hold you back from buying an X500, it's a fine little machine.

I found this product to be as advertised and fun to use. After reading the instructions and viewing the DVD I had no problem getting good results and sharpened all the drill bits I had , quite a lot.I plan to order the chuck that will allow me to sharpen up to 3/4 inch drills.
Jerry

Got this for Christmas (kids are finally learning to take a hint). Finally go to use it a couple of weeks ago. I had a coffee can full of dull bits. They ran the full range between 3/32 and 1/2 including the metric sizes in that range.
First tip, watch the video.
Second tip, watch the video.
This is not a hard machine to use but the success is very dependent on the technique taught in the video.
I sharpened about 56 bits in 2 hours. Some of them, especially the larger ones required 30 - 40 half turns. Some of the smaller broken bits required re-seating in the chuck 3 - 4 times. I have subsequently used several of the bits I sharpened and they work like new bits. I'm pretty sure I validated Drill Doctor's claim that this machine will pay for itself.

Edit 4 Apr 09, since my initial review I have tried the split point sharpening feature and it worked as advertised. You do have to go slow when inserting the bit holder into the Drill Doctor. The motor does bog down a bit but gets the job done. I loaned my Drill Doc to my son-in-law and he sharpened his box of dull bits. When I got it back I cannot see any significant wear on the wheel. I estimate it has sharpened in excess of 100 bits by now.