Sharpening my auger bit

[Vario]

I am looking for the proper procedure to correctly sharpen an auger bit. I use an 18in long 7/8 bit routinely. (Electrician)
There seems to be a vast misconception on the subject, my foreman and most guys around me only seem to wreck them every time they try to sharpen. I seem to have a hard time aswell, they don't cut like new ones after I'm done. Any tips?

 

[jmbfestool]

I am looking for the proper procedure to correctly sharpen an auger bit. I use an 18in long 7/8 bit routinely. (Electrician)
There seems to be a vast misconception on the subject, my foreman and most guys around me only seem to wreck them every time they try to sharpen. I seem to have a hard time aswell, they don't cut like new ones after I'm done. Any tips?

Which type of auger bits are they?!    Normal auger bits are very easy to sharpen.    Send a link to the ones you have!  So easier to help

JMB

 

[Vario]

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/drilling-accessories/wood-drilling/ship-auger-bits/7-8-inch-x-18-inch-ship-auger-bit/48-13-5870

It is this one exactly!

 

[jmbfestool]

I dont own one of those.  But looking at the pictures they look like they have the same cutting edge as a regular auger but  the only difference is they dont seem to have the outer cutting edge to give that clean slice around the edge. 

Using a file is the easiest and quickest I find  and if you wanted use a diamond to clean the edge even more but I find their is no need  a file is good enough.

You just gotta make sure you file straight not rocking and just keep filing untill the edge is sharp not rounded.  Hard to explain really im pants at explaining my self in txt!  Videos are easier!  Ill do a quick little video 2moro. 

 

[Vario]

Wow, that would be much appreciated, this forum is next level help!

 

[tbellemare]

The 4th image on that Milwaukee page shows a sharpening technique for that bit.

Tom

 

[jmbfestool]

Sorry didnt get this video made sooner!  I didnt see much point untill I had a blunt auger bit!  

Well!  Lucky you yesterday  I damaged TWO auger bits!   I hit a HECO 200mm flanged screw bang on!  both bits where damaged enough to stop me being able to drill any more holes!   [mad]  

Here are 2  pictures  of before!    You can see how the edge cutter is bent/rounded over
[attachimg=#]

This one you can see the main cutting edge is non existent
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[Ken Nagrod]

Sharpened?  With what, an ice cube?  The cutting edge is all ruined, in that picture.  Each part of those bits has a cutting purpose -- self feed point, end of the bit and the helix edge.  They all work together.  If one is screwed up, the whole bit suffers in cutting performance.

 

[jmbfestool]

Sharpened?  With what, an ice cube?  The cutting edge is all ruined, in that picture.  Each part of those bits has a cutting purpose -- self feed point, end of the bit and the helix edge.  They all work together.  If one is screwed up, the whole bit suffers in cutting performance.

Ken I hit a structural screw and damaged the bit proper good  never said I could get it like new again nor would I EVER try and get it like new whats the point! I would rather go and buy a new one my time is worth more than getting a new one.   I do it on the job in work time if I damaged it on the job so I get paid to sharpen it any way but the client wont be happy if it takes me AGES to sharpening it.  So this simple quick method of sharpening I do with my bits is perfectly fine and they work very well still.  

IF YOU WAIT I made a video to show the bit in action once it was sharpened with an ice cube!    It just taken ages for the video to upload  so I posted the pictures while I wait!

JMB

 

[jmbfestool]

Well here is a quick video    using an ICE CUBE I some how managed to get my auger bit which wouldnt even drill into the OAK piece because it was so badly damaged to drill three holes easily with out any trouble! 

It didnt take long the sharpen at all

Sharpen

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I want to see the ice cubes you use.  Are they the typical square shape or popsicle shape and what Rockwell hardness are they?

 

[John Bates]

Pm me your address and I'll try and get you an auger bit designed for hardwoods to try, was that 16mm?

 

[Deansocial]

if you look carefully at 3.01 there is a very good sight of hand where he swaps the duff bit for a new sharp 1, he also does kids partys.

What auger bits for hardwood, do you have a link?

 

[jmbfestool]

I think it was a 10 or 12 mm bit

I damaged two the other one was a 16mm I think  I need to sharpen that one still left it in my van though and I had the 10/12mm in the garage to make a video with.

JMB

 

[jmbfestool]

if you look carefully at 3.01 there is a very good sight of hand where he swaps the duff bit for a new sharp 1, he also does kids partys.

What auger bits for hardwood, do you have a link?

haahaa joker! 

 

[John Bates]

Funnily enough, I do
http://www.famag.com/files/FAMAG-2011-english.pdf

The 1493 series bits or if it's been a good week 1494.

 

[jmbfestool]

Well some think my method  should not of worked  well it does. 

I use a smoother file or a diamond on my auger bits if they are blunt due to wear    but auger bits I damage when hitting something like the one in the video the auger bit I used was damaged. 

Well it was just to help the OP      He mentioned he uses 7/8 (22mm) most often,  I know I used a 12mm but that was because I damaged it I could show how it wouldnt even cut into the oak all it was good for was doing countersinks  then after a quick file it would cut oak no trouble.

The bigger the easier they are to sharpen I think more room to sharpen. 

JMB

 

[John Bates]

I've got to say I didn't think your method would have worked but it did. There is a difference between bits that will get away with softwood or do hardwood and your method worked. The point looked rough but for site work, if it digs in that's it.
The perfect angle is a luxury when time is money so whatever gets the job done!
Back home you can sort out the angle and edge at your own pace.

 

[jmbfestool]

Thank you again John Bates for the free Auger bit!  I received the Famag 10mm Auger bit 2 day that was very quick!

As Soon as I got in from work I got the drill my  the damaged but repaired 6mm Auger bit Bosch from the previous video and the Famag 10mm Auger  to make it a fair test I got one of my 10mm Auger bits  which I had bought from my Local dealer in a wooden box with 5 augers in they didn't cost alot and have no brand name on them so I have named them  Unknown 10mm

So here is a video  testing all three bits  Bosch 6mm (ice cubed sharpened)  Famag 10mm and Unknown 10mm

Others VS Famag

 

[Alan m]

pritty impressive there jmb.
you wouldnt know the difference.