How to Sharpen a Drill Bit With a File

Drill bits are bladed tools, just like knives. While those blades might be tiny, they are still essential to the drill and need to be kept sharp. A dull drill bit makes the drill work harder, wearing out its motor and degrading your investment in a quality power tool. Sharpening drill bits with a file requires nimble fingers, but otherwise is an easy task requiring only a few minutes.

Old rags
Table vise (optional)
Mill file or augur file
Household machine oil

Instructions

- 1
  Wipe away any debris, dust or grime that is on the drill bit with a wet rag.
- 2
  Clamp the drill bit in a table vise. If you don't have one, holding it with a firm grip in your hand will be a bit more awkward, but workable.
- 3
  Place the file on one of the blades at a 60 degree angle. There are two blades on either side of the bit's point. Use an auger file for a brad-point and auger bit, and a mill file for a spade bit. Run the file down the edge six to eight times. Repeat the same procedure on the other side of the bit.
- 4
  File off any metal burrs by drawing the file one time up and across the underside of the areas you sharpened in the previous step.
- 5
  Apply a drop or two of household machine oil and rub it into the drill bit.

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