Long bit sharpening with lead screw point

[Hattrick17]

Can I sharpen some very long wood drill bits 18" x 7/8" diameter.  These are typically used by plumbers and electricians. My neighbor has like 20 dull ones and wants to know if I can sharpen them for him.  These drill bits  are used for drilling through 3"headers and or rim joists and or thick glulam's. These typically have a lead screw tip on them.   Can these be sharpened via the TormeK T-8?

[RichColvin]

Those are auger bits and must be sharpened by hand. 

[Ken S]

I worked for thirty five years as a telephone installation and repair technician. Long drill bits like this were part of my kit, as was sharpening them. Rich is correct; they must be sharpened by hand with special tools. Fortunately, they are made of mild steel and easily sharpened. The lead screw is sharpened with a triangular needle file. (It is probably best to just purchase a set of needle files.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/General-Tools-Swiss-Pattern-Needle-File-Set-12-Piece-707475/309676297

The lips are sharpened with a special auger bit file, as shown in this link. One of the ends and one of the flats is "safe", meaning having no teeth which could cut into the lips.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/sharpening/files-and-hones/70693-auger-bit-file

Start filing gently. Aggressive filing will shorten the life of the auger bits.

Ken