Restoring/sharpening old Auger Bits

I personally think this is the best option.

How rusty are they? If just surface rust then running it through wood will probably scour most of it off. Harbor Freight or Lowes has sets of small diamond impregnated riffler files that you could use to sharpen the tip of the augur (not the screw tip obviously). The length of the augur just moves the chips up and out of the hole.

First, ensure that bits are not twisted (this can happen with heavy use, in extremely hard woods, and with the amount of torque available with the big throw braces). Check by rolling on a flat surface—the twisted ones will not roll in a straight line. Also ensure that the threads are still sharp and that no one has (incorrectly) ground or sharpened the OUTSIDE curvature of the cutting spurs. This would changed the diameter of the hole they produce, making them virtually useless.
Lastly – go online and search for “sharpening auger bits” or the like. You’ll find tons of info and pictures of exactly what and where to file. Much easier than trying to explain in words alone.

http://logancabinetshoppe.com/blog/?s=sharpen+auger+bit&x=8&y=13

HTH

This is a question I have been wondering myself. I got an old tool box with 60+ auger bits thrown in for “cheap” with two braces I purchased a year or so ago. They have just been sitting so I am thinking about trying this.

Thanks for the link waho6o9!

I am not sure if this is the place to post this but I will probably sell a bunch if you are interested. I have never sold anything so I am unsure on how it works.

-- -Kevin

You remove the rust just like you remove rust for hand plans.
There are plenty of blogs here on LJ on that subject.

Brit (Andy) has blogs of brace refurbishing and did a blog on sharpening auger bits as well.

Here is his blog:
http://lumberjocks.com/Brit/blog/25755

Be sure to check out his other blogs on braces too.

-- I'll be a woodworker when I grow up. HHHOPKS

After cleaning, and before sharpening, I take a piece of cotton “sash cord” rope charged with valve grinding paste (fine) to polish the flutes of the bits. Kinda like shining a shoe. Wipe ‘em down, sharpen, drill.
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

Get one of these.

-- Bondo Gaposis

Here’s another article on restoring bits:

http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/bracecleaning.html

It describes an interesting technique for sharpening the lead screw that uses valve grinding paste, not a file.

-- More tools, fewer machines.