Chrome vanadium steel

[Ken S]

Somewhere I have a set of small chrome vanadium drill bits I purchased at K Mart about forty years ago.  They were inexpensive and designed for occasional wood use.  They were a lower cost option than high speed steel.

This week I purchased a set of Irwin "black anodized" bits.  They are supposedly good for "thin" metal.  I doubt they are high speed steel.  They should suffice for my intended use of predrilling wood and drywall for screws.
Ken

[Herman Trivilino]

As long as you can keep sharpening them they should perform just fine.

[Rob]

You bought the drill sharpening jig didnt you Ken?

[Ken S]

Yes, Rob, I bought the drill jig.  I agree, Herman, as long as we keep sharpening them, drill bits, high speed or otherwise, will continue to do their jobs.

I do have and use other bits than the household small ones for screws and anchors.

I bought the drill jig at a woodworking show my local dealer hosted.  It was 20% off.  I like tormek and I really like bargains.  Looking at the price of individual replacement drill bits, it may actually pay for itself over the long haul.

Ken

[Rob]

Like you Ken..I like both bargains and Tormek...the drill jig is very expensive though.  I would have to have some serious specialist applications to warrant such a spend.

Actually what I really would find useful is a means of sharpening my forstener bits.  They get dulled pretty quick in white oak, theyre expensive and Ive no idea how to sharpen them??  Regular drills are now so cheap I just couldnt justify the cost of the jig.  I believe for my use I wont spend that much on drills in my lifetime and Im not exaggerating.  I have a set I bought 20 years ago and theyre not razor sharp but they still cut.

Forstener bits....now they need sharpening badly.

[Rob]

Having said all that...its still nice to have ultra sharp tools, regardless of the economic justification so I get why you have it :-)

[Herman Trivilino]

Actually what I really would find useful is a means of sharpening my forstener bits. 

Look around for a local sharpening service, there must be a way to sharpen them.

[Herman Trivilino]

Like you Ken..I like both bargains and Tormek...the drill jig is very expensive though.  I would have to have some serious specialist applications to warrant such a spend.

It's too pricey for me, too.  I have a Drill Doctor and it does a good job on all but the smallest bits.  And those are the ones that dull the fastest.

[Rob]

a service is possible I guess....but that really rankles when I have the Tormek you know.  I know Forstener bits are out of reach though so I guess youre right

[Herman Trivilino]

You can't get around using a sharpening service for some things.  I can use Easy Off oven cleaner to keep the carbide tips on my table saw blade clean, but I can't use the Tormek to sharpen them.

[Rob]

Quite....costs around £25 to have my 80 tooth 10" saw blade sharpened...a new blade costs £40 so thats pretty expensive to sharpen.

[Herman Trivilino]

I used to work with a trim man (second fix, to you) who would buy a new blade and immediately have it sharpened.  He could cut panels, stiles, and rails from veneer plywood and never have to sand anything!

[Rob]

When either my chop or tablesaw blades get sharpened I can see how your man could get results like that. They are a pleasure to use when they're like that. Crisp edges, really lovely

It's a few weeks in they go off the boil, especially building in oak which I use a lot

I need to get some kind of diamond file so I can just dress the carbide tips by hand. It would eek out the time between sharpenings. Can anyone recommend anything?

[Herman Trivilino]

The glue and resins in veneer plywood does a job on blades, too.  It's a constant battle to keep them sharp.  You have to have several on hand and rotate them between being used and being sharpened.

There's no file hard enough to sharpen carbide steel.  You need a diamond embedded substance, lots of force, and lots of rubbing.  I know of no hand tool that can do the job.

[Ken S]

For those of you who are considering purchasing Forstner bits:  Do yourself a favor and look at the high speed steel bits sold by Lee Valley.  They should hold their keen edges for a very long time.

Also, a note to Rob:  As I recall, you are a turner.  You could turn tapered blocks, similar to replacement socket chisel handles, to mate with the inner taper of your Forstner bits.  Use diamond paste.  That should restore your Forstner bits to their former glory.  (Keep the blocks for future touchups.  Store them in a sealer plastic bag to help preserve the diamond paste.)

Ken