Photo: Woodstock
Your drill bits may have been super-sharp when you first bought them, but with time and repeated usage, it’s likely they will get dull and require sharpening.
That is where a drill bit sharpener comes in handy. The tool will rejuvenate your bits in no time, and without wearing them out any faster than they would naturally.
Working with dull bits is inefficient, and consumes more time and resources. That is why you need to have a bit sharpener on standby always.
Our drill bit sharpener review and buying guide will highlight and help you choose from the 7 best tools in the market, for your needs and budget.
In this post:
- 7 Best Drill Bit Sharpeners – Review
- 1. Drill Doctor DD500X – Best Overall Drill Bit Sharpener
- 2. Grizzly G1081 – Best Budget Drill Bit Sharpener
- 3. Drill Doctor DD350X – Best Compact Drill Bit Sharpener
- 4. Tormek DBS-22 – Best Professional Drill Bit Sharpener
- 5. Woodstock D4144 – Best Multi-Angle Drill Bit Sharpener
- 6. General Tools 825 – Easy-to-Use Drill Bit Sharpener
- 7. Drill Doctor 750X – Heavy-Duty Drill Bit Sharpener
- How to Buy the Best Drill Bit Sharpener
- Conclusion
7 Best Drill Bit Sharpeners – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Drill Doctor DD500X (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. Grizzly G1081 (Best Budget) |
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 | 3. Drill Doctor DD350X (Best Compact) |
| |
 | 4. Tormek DBS-22 (Best Professional) |
| |
 | 5. Woodstock D4144 (Best Multi-Angle) |
| |
 | 6. General Tools 825 (Easy-to-Use) |
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 | 7. Drill Doctor 750X (Heavy-Duty) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Drill Doctor DD500X (Best Overall)
|
2. Grizzly G1081 (Best Budget)
|
3. Drill Doctor DD350X (Best Compact)
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4. Tormek DBS-22 (Best Professional)
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5. Woodstock D4144 (Best Multi-Angle)
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6. General Tools 825 (Easy-to-Use)
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7. Drill Doctor 750X (Heavy-Duty)
|
1. Drill Doctor DD500X – Best Overall Drill Bit Sharpener
Photo: Drill Doctor
- Cutting angle: 118 degrees, 135 degrees
- Cutting diameter: 3/32 – 1/2-inch
- Size: 13.8 x 5.8 x 11.8 inches
- Weight: 1.92 pounds
Drill Doctor DD500X is the best drill bit sharpener and easily outshines the competition because it is the highest-rated, accommodates the standard bit diameters, and sharpens the most common angle points.
This drill sharpener is built to accommodate 3/32 – 1/2-inch drill bit diameters. This is the range where most of your drill bits are going to fall. So, you are guaranteed that this tool will cater for the full range of standard drills you own.
Drill Doctor DD500X allows you to set point angles at 118 and 135 degrees to enable you to sharpen a wide range of speed-steel, carbide, tin-coated, and masonry bits.
It is not the cheapest sharpener, but is reasonably priced for all the value you get. Even better, you get a 3-year manufacturers’ warranty with your purchase of this model.
Getting started with this sharpener is easy. In the box, you’ll find a user guide and additional instructional DVD to ensure smooth and fast setup and operation.
Although Drill Doctor DD500X is the best overall drill bit sharpener on our list, we did notice that it is not the most compact, especially compared to the smaller Drill Doctor DD350X model. However, size shouldn’t be an issue compared to all the value you get from this tool.
Pros:
- Sharpens drill bits with standard diameters
- Set point angles of 1350 and 1800
- Reasonably-priced with a 3-year warranty
- Easy to set up and use
Cons:
- Not the most compact
2. Grizzly G1081 – Best Budget Drill Bit Sharpener
Photo: Grizzly
- Cutting angle: Various
- Cutting diameter: 1/8 – 3/4-inch
- Size: 8 x 5 x 1.3 inches
- Weight: 1.34 pounds
Grizzly G1081 is the most affordable drill bit sharpener on our list. Even with the low price, it still packs some impressive features that will handle most of your drill bit sharpening demands.
It is also compact and lightweight. You won’t have any problems transporting it offsite or even storing it. It has a compact size, which occupies very minimal space on your workbench.
You can adjust this tool for multiple drill-point angles, and you can also count on it to sharpen drill bits from 1/8-inch to 3/4-inch in diameter.
Although Grizzly G1081 is the best budget drill bit sharpener, it is not the easiest to use. It may take some time to get used to it, especially for first-time users.
Pros:
- Very affordable and value-packed
- Sharpens standard bits
- Compact and lightweight for portability
- Small size for easy storage
Cons:
- Takes time to learn and get used to
3. Drill Doctor DD350X – Best Compact Drill Bit Sharpener
Photo: Drill Doctor
- Cutting angle: 118 degrees
- Cutting diameter: 3/32 – 1/2-inch
- Size: 4 x 7 x 5 inches
- Weight: 0.16 ounces
Drill Doctor DD350X is the most compact drill bit sharpener on our list, both in size, and weight.
The sharpener weighs only 0.16 ounces. This weight is incredibly low, especially for a high-performance tool such a drill bit sharpener. If you’re a professional who regularly moves around with a bit sharpener, this model’s portability makes it ideal for you.
Its overall size is also compact. It measures 4 x 7 x 5 inches, making it the smallest of all models on our list. It takes up very little space on your workbench. Storing it also won’t be an issue due to its compact size.
Drill Doctor DD350X may be the most compact drill bit sharpener, but that doesn’t mean it compromises on quality. It has a professional design and is constructed for durability. The sharpening wheel is made of industrial-strength diamond. The wheel’s shape remains the same over time.
It will sharpen standard bits of diameters ranging from 3/32-inch to 1/2-inch, with a single cutting angle of 1180. This model is offered with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Although Drill Doctor DD350X is the best lightweight drill sharpener on the market, it is ideal for home workshops and is not ideal for commercial or industrial applications.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact for portability
- Industrial-strength diamond sharpening wheel for durability
- Simplifies sharpening process
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Not suitable for commercial or industrial use
4. Tormek DBS-22 – Best Professional Drill Bit Sharpener
Photo: Tormek
- Cutting angle: 90 – 150 degrees
- Cutting diameter: 1/8 – 7/8-inch
- Size: 14 x 7 x 3 inches
- Weight: 16 pounds
Tormek DBS-22 is a drill bit sharpener built for professionals. It packs advanced features, is it highly versatile, and boasts of a higher performance than other models.
This sharpener is packed with advanced features that professionals demand. It creates a four-facet point for optimal drilling performance while extending the life of your bits.
For maximum versatility, the sharpener will fit any drill bit between 1/8 inch and 7/8 inch in diameter. You are guaranteed that this tool will accommodate both standard and non-standard drill bits used by professionals.
The sharpener will accommodate all point angles in the range of 900 – 1500. This is the biggest range of all the models we have reviewed. It can handle the most diverse range of drill bits that professionals use.
Tormek DBS-22 is a top contender for the best professional drill sharpener, but at 16 pounds, it is one of the heaviest models in the market. If you want something portable, this model may not be the best fit for you. However, for professional work, no other model comes close.
It is also an expensive model whose price will not favor budget users. However, if the price is not an issue, this is one of the best bit sharpeners you can own.
Pros:
- 4-point facet for optimal drilling performance
- Cuts a wider range of drill bits, and point angles
- Precision bit sharpening
- Symmetrical sharpening for drill longevity
Cons:
- Very heavy and low portability
- Pricey
5. Woodstock D4144 – Best Multi-Angle Drill Bit Sharpener
Photo: Woodstock
- Cutting angle: Various
- Cutting diameter: 1/8 – 3/4-inch
- Size: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.9 inches
- Weight: 1.37 pounds
Woodstock D4144 was designed to accommodate multiple set point angles for maximum versatility when sharpening different drill bits.
The flexibility of multi drill-point angles enables this tool to accommodate many kinds of drill bits.
Another feature that pairs well with the flexibility of drill-point angles is the fact that the tool sharpens bits whose diameter is in the range of 1/8-inch to 3/4-inch, where most drill bits fall.
Because it measures only 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.9 inches in size, and 1.37 pounds in weight, the sharpener is very compact and won’t occupy too much workspace or storage space. You can install it next to your bench grinder to have all the tools you need in one place.
Although Woodstock D4144 is the best multi-angle drill bit sharpener, it proved slightly difficult to set up and operate especially for first-time users. There is no user manual to guide you on basic tasks such as aligning bits. If you can get supplementary videos online to help with that, this is a great tool to have.
Pros:
- Accepts multiple drill-point angle bits
- Lightweight and compact for portability
- Sharpens all standard drill bits
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- No instruction manual. Hard to set up
6. General Tools 825 – Easy-to-Use Drill Bit Sharpener
Photo: General Tools
- Cutting angle: Various
- Cutting diameter: 1/8 – 3/4-inch
- Size: 4.9 x 4.9 x 7.4 inches
- Weight: 0.32 ounces
General Tools 825 positions itself as an easy-to-use drill grinding attachment, while guaranteeing to restore your drill bits to factory-tolerance sharpness.
It comes with an angle-adjustment gauge to help you match a wide range of point angles so that you can work on as many drill bits as possible. This adjustment feature will also work on countersinks.
The tool comes equipped with a pivoting neck to facilitate simple grinding on both sides of the bit. This mechanism ensures you don’t use too much effort grinding.
Compatibility with supporting tools is not an issue. The grinding attachment is compatible with ANSI, OSHA, and UL-approved standard electric benches.
The grinding attachment is suitable for home and workshop use, so you can maximize its efficiency and versatility.
Although General Tools 825 is an easy-to-use drill bit sharpener, its overall build is not sturdy enough to handy heavy-duty sharpening tasks. It is therefore not suited for commercial application or specialized drill bits. However, it does an excellent job for basic home use.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use grinding attachment
- Angle adjustment gauge to match many angle points
- Pivoting neck for a simple grinding
- Compatible with standard electric benches
Cons:
- Not suitable for heavy-duty drill bit sharpening
7. Drill Doctor 750X – Heavy-Duty Drill Bit Sharpener
Photo: Drill Doctor
- Cutting angle: 115 – 140 degrees
- Cutting diameter: 3/32 – 3/4-inch
- Size: 5 x 8 x 4.5 inches
- Weight: 4.4 pounds
Drill Doctor 750X is a heavy-duty drill bit sharpener designed to sharpen a wider range of bits than standard tools. It also extends the life of your drill bit.
With this tool, you can sharpen a wider range of drill bits including high-speed steel, masonry, cobalt, and tin-coated ones. For even more versatility, this tool sharpens bits with diameters ranging from 3/32-inch to 3/4-inch.
You get a custom point angle sharpening with this tool. It allows you to set any angle in the range of 1150-1400 using its heavy-duty cast aluminum point angle shuttle that maximizes durability. This system also utilizes a back-cut, split-point bit, and an extra-narrow chisel point for faster penetration.
If you constantly worry about the decreasing longevity of your drill bits especially with repeated sharpening, you’ll be pleased to learn that this sharpener to address these specific concerns. You can create and remove split points.
It allows you to adjust the amount of material you wish to remove during sharpening, using the adjustable material take-off features, thus extending the life of your drill bits.
Although Drill Doctor 750X is a heavy-duty drill sharpener, it emerges are being pricey compared to rival models. Also, if you’re going to be carrying it around, its 4.4 pounds may prove heavy.
Pros:
- Has custom point angle sharpening
- Sharpens a wider range of drill bits than standard tools
- Extends drill bit life
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Heavy especially for mobility
- Pricey compared to rival models
How to Buy the Best Drill Bit Sharpener
1. Size
Two main types of size come to mind when we talk of drill bit sharpeners: size of the sharpener tool itself, and the size of the drill bits it can sharpen.
You can think of the drill sharpener as being either big or small, but that may depend on how you perceive them. Size also affects the bit holder and grinding stone of your sharpener.
However, you may not need to worry much about discerning between big or small sharpeners because manufacturers have invested a lot in making their models compact.
The most common sizes of drill bits used, and you are likely to have, are 1/8-inch, 3/32-inch, 1/2-inch, and 3/4-inch in diameter. You may need to confirm your bit sizes before buying a sharpener to ensure they are compatible.
2. Material
The material of your drill bits is an important consideration as it may have an impact on the performance of the bit sharpener.
Drill bits may be made of tungsten carbide or steel. Other common materials used include tin-coated, titanium-coated, cobalt, and tin.
While most bit sharpeners will work perfectly with most drill materials, it’s always wise to check whether your bits have special finishes or are made of alloys that could pose challenges while sharpening.
Of course, owning standard bits eliminates challenges with problematics materials. However, even with non-standard bits, you can buy a specialized sharpener to work on them.
3. Versatility
The versatility of a sharpener is measured by how many types of drill bits the tool can sharpen. Some sharpeners are very efficient, but will only work with specific bit sizes.
Others can accommodate a wide range of bit sizes while still performing excellently. For instance, you can have a tool that sharpens twist bits, while a more versatile one will handle spade bits.
You can also look at versatility in terms of how powerful and efficient the sharpener is especially when subjected to different kinds of bits.
Most of the models on the market are electric-powered. Powered sharpeners are faster and more efficient than manual ones.
4. Ease of use
You want to own and operate a drill bit that will be easy to use and won’t wear you out. That is why the most popular and recognized models are electric-power.
Electric-powered sharpeners will eliminate the burden of manually sharpening your bits using a jig and bench grinder, from you.
Most users also appreciate sharpeners that are straightforward and don’t have a complicated setup or maintenance process.
A tool that will require significant assembly and disassembly for minor adjustments or issue may not be the most user-friendly. Checking out online forums for drill bit sharpener users can help you figure out the easiest-to-use tools.
5. Brand
It is always wise to buy your tools from well-known and reputable brands, especially if you are investing a significant amount of money in them.
Luckily, we did the digging for you and distilled the top brands that offer some top drill bit sharpener brands. Some of the brands we recommend include Drill Doctor, Tormek, General Tool, and Woodstock. There are many more out there, but you can’t go wrong with these ones.
Even better, a good brand offering a warranty with your purchase of its bit sharpener will be a worthy investment for you.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve looked at everything drill bit sharpeners, it’s time to proceed with your purchase.
Remember some key factors to consider as you shop for this tool. You will want to get a compact sharpener that is not bulky or space-intensive. Also, on size, ensures that the sharpener you plan to get is compatible with the diameter of your drill bits.
Ensure your sharpener is compatible with the drill bit materials, and that it is versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of bits.
With our comprehensive drill bit sharpeners review and buying guide, you can be confident that the choice you make is one that suits you best.