Does anyone have a slick way to sharpen Forstner bits? Like which way to you sharpen the flat area and what do you do to sharpen the teeth around the edge?
There are a lot of other pages on this topic, but these two actually show two different methods of doing it.
I tend to use the first method, since it only requires a few tools.
I have never sharpened my Forstner bits. But, I thought I heard my Grampa say that you could sharpen them on a drill doctor. Not sure thou, I love my forstner bits, I got them at a auction for only $9 dollars! It's a 20 piece set!
Rat tail files come in handy here. Finer toothed, better "sized" for bit sharpening, and easier to control IMO. And I try to only minimally sharpen at any one time, in order to keep as much of the bit as I can. In this sense, I sharpen more frequently but less aggressively.
Thanks, James for this info, that is what I thought. I have been sharpening the flat with a diamond hone and will now try to uses round stone on the curved area.
AJ, I have see a drill doctor and they tend to sharpen just the point of a drill and do a back cut to thin the point for less resistance when drilling without a pilot hole. I don't thin they would address the surfaces of a forstner.
Hi Mike, they must not be too hard if a file will cut them. I'll have to try that too. That U tube video was a good one but it showed a big one being sharpened. The ones that get dull the quickest are the 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4. I use them the most- especially the 3/4 one. I try a file to all the surfaces of the 3/4 one and see how it works!!
thanks, Jim
While I do not know, I do suspect that some of the cheaper Forstners are made with softer steel (I am NOT saying SOFT) than the highest quality bits. As a hobbiest, I just do not use them so much as to need to buy the best, though I understand that desire to have the latest/greatest at all times urge.
Hi Mike. some say HSS but it may not be hardened High Speed Steel. that makes a big difference!!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!