drill doctor/tungsten grinder

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i found a drill doctor at a yard sale for 15.00.took it home  and found it was never used so i got some of my tungstens and tried it.its was really good as you can set it for a long or shot taper and theres no guesswork.
Reply:I've been thinking about one fot hose for years now, and never was sure how well they worked.  I learned how to sharpen my own when I worked in a machine shop, but I'm sure the angle consistantcy would be better if the machine performs properly.  I see where they make a deluxe one now where you can reduce the angle of the leading edge.  That's handy for drilling on sheet metal and other thin materials where you don't want it to grab when it breaks through.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:ive used it for both bits and tugstens.it works good but leaves a very very slight swirl pattern on the tungstens.the swirl dosent affect it tho just swirls thegas a lil more
Reply:Nope, not the right tool to sharpen a tungsten for TIG/GTAW.The proper way to grind a tungsten is to have the grinding lines axially, that is in the same direction as the length of the tungsten.Grinding in a DrillDoctor will put radial grind lines on the tungsten.  Radial grind lines lead to arc wander.  Not good.See http://www.millerwelds.com/education...ips/setup.html for pics of right and wrong for tungsten grinding.Use the DrillDoctor to sharpen drill bits.  That's what it's made for.
Reply:never had a problem.no arc wander and if its done smoothly it is almost the same as a tungsten  machine
Reply:you can always make quick trip to a bench grinder to put the finishing touches on it after you get the proper angle on the drill doctor.  and despite what the box says the drill doctor is not the proper tool for sharpening drill bits
Reply:I have a drill doctor and love it.I haven't tried sharpening tungsten with it....I still use one of my BurrKings.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Originally Posted by rusty ripple  and despite what the box says the drill doctor is not   the proper tool for sharpening drill bits
Reply:Originally Posted by 3 weelin geezerThen, whats it for?
Reply:I've never thought about using a drill doctor for tungsten, I'm gonna try it.  I know it sucks for what it was designed for.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:best thing is still a diamond stone on a pedestle grinder with a drill
Reply:Originally Posted by Rockskibest thing is still a diamond stone on a pedestle grinder with a drill
Reply:I though my drill doctor sucked at first also but then I got instruction on how to use it properly and my drill bits are sharper than ever.  There is a technique to it. I can't even really explain it but you have to put the right pressure in the right direction and rotate at the right speed.  Setup of the bit in the chuck is  critical.
Reply:I have a drill doctor,it sharpens bits up to 3/4 inch with diamond stone and like it real well.I'm pretty good with bench grinder which is faster,but drill doctor gets angle better.also had one with sanding disc and thought it sucked.
Reply:I think I'll continue to sharpen them by hand the way I've always done it. Pedistal grinder and diamond wheel.  Belt sanders are too rough and don't keep a consistant angle. With the many different types of drill bits and angles, the most efficient way is to do them by hand.  Remember to always wear eye protection! I bought another jig for sharpening other types of hand tools that I was never impressed with.  If you practice, you can do it just a well by hand.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:I tried the drill / pedestal grinder method cause somebody here mentioned it here before, and it works great!  I don't know if it's better than by hand, but seems for me to get the point more symetrical, and for sure it's faster! I usually do a bunch at a time.  SamNot a beginner, not a pro !
Reply:thats why it's at a garage sale for $15.00  "there junk"  Take it to a construction site and make $5.00  sell it to a  contractor.  just keep practicing.                                              BILL