Sharpening drill bits? When and how it's worth it

How do you recognize blunt drills?

  • Drill squeaks or smokes

  • Burr formation at the hole edge

  • High pressure required

  • Blue discoloration on the cutting edge

Sharpen or replace?

Drills made of HSS or HSS-G can be regrinded.
Cheap drill bits made of soft steel, on the other hand, are not worth it – they lack the hardness.

Note the grinding angle

The tip angle is usually 118° or 135° , depending on the material.
A grinding jig or drill bit sharpener helps to keep the angle exact.


Regular sharpening extends the service life and improves drilling quality.
For lasting precision, it is worth investing in high-quality HSS-G drills – like those from a+s.

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