Shopsmith Forums

Has anyone mounted a drill sharpener (see the picture of the type I am asking about) to the Shopsmith? It seems a natural, using the sanding disk with fine grit paper. I reviewed the question using "Search" without any luck.

I have the same drill sharpener. However it is to be used with a bench grinder.
BPR

I have one of those too. I would think you could mount it to the table top using one of those inserts for the miter slot. In fact, I've got the little bench vise that has 2 of them that I could borrow one for.

I acknowledge it is usually set up with a bench grinder and I have seen it pictured grinding on the side of the wheel, considered a no-no by some.
It seems to me it could mount on a cross piece of say, 2x4 on the way tubes and be blocked up to the right height, at say, spindle centerline for grinding (some sources suggest the 10 o'clock position is better). No danger from shattered grindstones using the sanding disk and easily (?) changed grits. Slow speed grinding on the SS should be better for the temper of the steel in the bits compared to the speed of a bench grinder.
I am considering mounting it on a cross slide to control the amount of cut easily, with the slide bolted on the 2x4 perpendicular to the sanding disk. I am hoping someone already did it all and I can avoid reinventing the wheel. All comments are appreciated!

You can mount a grinding wheel on the SS and use as designed. I have one just like that, but have not used it yet - just got it recently. I intend to mount the sharpening jig on a board and clamp it to the SS main table.

I've never used one like that, but I have a Drill Doctor that my dad gave me and I love it.

The best "Shopsmith devotee" articles I've seen on this challenge may be found at
http://www.shopmachineadventures.com .

The May/June 2007 Home Shop Machinist shown in that link has the author's drill-sharpener pictured on the cover, but not detailed inside.
The Sept/Oct 2007 Home Shop Machinist has a detailed article on the author's drill sharpening jig.

He went to the nth degree in using a precision, heavy, chatter-free Darex sharpening jig, which was the best for ensuring symmetrical facets on the bit tips. He also would go above and beyond sanding disks (OK for steel and HSS bits) to include a specially adapted diamond wheel, good for sharpening carbide bits. He has sharpened several thousand bits. A sharp fellow no doubt.

prmindartmouth wrote:Has anyone mounted a drill sharpener (see the picture of the type I am asking about) to the Shopsmith? It seems a natural, using the sanding disk with fine grit paper. I reviewed the question using "Search" without any luck.

I have a couple of those and one should work just fine on a SS. I seldom use one. I am old school and just free-hand such sharpening jobs most of the time. Many of the bits I use in the metal shop are too big for such sharpening devices. I seldom sharpen bits under about 1/8" and usually just toss those unless I need one and don't have an extra.
I wouldn't worry too much about using a fine paper.
Common twist drills used in woodworking are pretty forgiving and you generally don't use them for larger or finished location holes. Just get the lips even on both sides and have decent relief behind the lips. On metal working, especially on larger bits it is often necessary to thin the web or adjust the grind depending on what you are drilling.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but has anyone have any success sharpening brad point bits?

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but has anyone have any success sharpening brad point bits?
BPR