Left handed bits?

[SharpenADullWitt]

Can they be done on this?

[Ken S]

The practical answer is no. The DBS=22 is set up for right handed bits.  The "right handed" part of the jig is the swing plate.  The swing plate could be designed and manufactured for left hand bits.  However, producing such a part for a very limited market (the vast majority of drill bits are right handed) would be very cost ineffective. Market demand would be miniscule.

If you have a very definite need to sharpen a lot of left handed bits on a regular basis, you could have a custom swing plate made up at a local machine shop.  Be prepared to pay more than a Tormek or two would cost for this custom machining. We live in a right handed world. I would opt to buy replacement bits.

Ken

[Herman Trivilino]

Let's see ... How about if you did it standing on your head?

Or maybe move your Tormek to Australia?

[SharpenADullWitt]

How about working on old vehicles (can anyone say rust and broken bolts).

[Ken S]

Now I see what you are asking.  I might try it using the Torlock platform freehand.  A more practical option might be using a diamond file before the bit gets too dull.

Ken

[Ken S]

Let's rethink this.  the only difference between a right handed bit and a left handed bit is the handedness.  They both cut the same, just in opposite directions.
The DBS-22 is set up for right handed bits.
Before the DBS-22 was introduced, if a person approached a Tormek demonstrator with a drill bit which needed to be sharpened, what happened?  Did the tormek rep say, "Sorry, you will have to purchase our competitor's product because drill bits can not be sharpened with the Tormek"?  or, did the Tormek rep sharpen the bit?

The DBS-22 is certainly an elegant way to sharpen drill bits.  However, drill bits have been resharpened for many years.  How was it done on a Tormek?  If we know that, we can just switch the handedness for left handed bits. No "Wow factor" as with the DBS-22, but an adequately sharp bit.

This would be an excellent opportunity for the many of you who view and never post to share your machine shop background.

Ken