Shopsmith Forums

I have USA drill bits 30-50 years old and sharpen them with a Drill Doctor 750x. These are the instructions: “Most wood and soft metal applications require 118°. Harder materials such as stainless steel and tool steel require 135°. If you are drilling contoured materials (such a car fender), plan on splitting the point to prevent walking of the bit.”

Sometimes I drill into cold rolled steel and harder metals and the bits dull quickly. Is there any reason I wouldn’t increase the angle for normal drilling?

Friction , if your bits are dulling or getting hot my assumption might be you need a flatter angle so the tip doesnt have to absorb the bulk of the heat build up ? JMO

Good write-up here: https://www.finepowertools.com/drills/1 ... drill-bit/

Mike -