Way to sharpen unibit?

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Is there a way to sharpen a unibit drill bit? I have a cheap set and for the most part they have worked great, but doing 1/8" aluminum getting it to cut the biggest hole on there is a pain! I already smoked my dewalt and trying to find an alternative to spending $50 on a nice bit if it's going to wear out also.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Typically they are sharpened in a fixture with a grinding wheel formed to the shape of the flute. If they are cheapies you can try your hand at sharpening them with a slip stone if they just need touched up but you can also try using a thin cut off wheel in a muffler cutter or grinder to just touch up the flat edge of the bit. The formed profile is somewhat of a J shape with the short leg of the J being flat.  Fastenal sharpens them for about 11 bucks up to 15/16 of if I recall. Larger bits were more money. If you ever get the chance try a set of Blair Rotobroach bits, they are great for precise hole and a set up to 1" or so is about 60-70 bucks. I bought mine from the MAC tools guy and (unbelieveably) he warrantys them. Only for broken ones, not dull,  but ours alway seem to break when they are getting dull...... "Anybody can talk $h!t behind a monitor, I let the quality of my work speak for itself"Lincoln Square Wave 255 and 355 Tig Lincoln 255 Power-Mig w/ spool gun Koike 5 x 10 CNC plasma Hyd-Mech DM-10 bandsaw Ineco QB-76 NC tube bender
Reply:New cheapies only cost about 18 bucks at Harbor freight... come in a 2 pack.  One large one and one small one.  I bought a set of them about a year ago.  I use them in 11 gauge steel all the time, and they're still going strong.They're only 15 with the 20% off coupon from the Sunday paper.  http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...lls-96275.html
Reply:you could probably resharpen one fairly easy with a pencil grinder..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by bruceryou could probably resharpen one fairly easy with a pencil grinder..
Reply:If your smoking them on aluminum, slow your cutting speed ( on spindle ) down aluminum is gummy and trashes blades and bits at higher speeds.
Reply:Originally Posted by fredschromIf your smoking them on aluminum, slow your cutting speed ( on spindle ) down aluminum is gummy and trashes blades and bits at higher speeds.
Reply:have you tried the smooth sided instead of the stepped version?  those would be pretty easy to sharpen with a small diamond grinder bit.  HF has sells them smooth unibits.. if you are drilling the full bit depth I think those may work well for youTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:really ?Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:Originally Posted by scotts_enterprisesbacon grease makes the best lube for drilling and using a burr in a die grinder for Aluminum.Scott
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI'm trying not to use any lube or oils so I don't have to clean it later. Besides I don't like bacon so it's never being cooked or bought
Reply:Sorry! Did not mean to hijack the thread. Just one of my pet peaves!And to answer your question, I don't know. The set I have had for fifteen years is still sharp!! Wink Wink, Nudge Nudge.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI'm trying not to use any lube or oils so I don't have to clean it later. Besides I don't like bacon so it's never being cooked or bought
Reply:Originally Posted by rexcormackThere is the problem.You should ALWAYS use oil on any metal machining operation. Not WD40, Dino juice! All your cutting tools will last a lot longer and your results will be a lot better looking.Also while we are on the subject almost everyone runs drill bits and hole saws WAY too fast and apply WAY too much force. 150 rpms max. Let the bit do the work.If you start with sharp bits and follow these simple recommendations you will never have a dull bit again.
Reply:I use wd40 on aluminum, it keeps your bit from gumming up.
Reply:bacon grease makes the best lube for drilling and using a burr in a die grinder for Aluminum.