How to Sharpen Tungsten Carbide Drill Bits? – 6 Easy Steps
Tungsten carbide drill bits are renowned for their exceptional hardness and durability, and they are widely used in metalworking, woodworking, and stone drilling. As a professional manufacturer of tungsten carbide parts, we have long been dedicated to producing high-performance cutting tools and industrial components.
Years of experience have shown that even the hardest drill bits require regular sharpening to maintain optimal cutting efficiency. In this post, we will share safe and effective methods on how to sharpen tungsten carbide drill bits, along with tips to extend their lifespan.
Part 1. Preparations Before Sharpening Tungsten Carbide Drill Bits
Before sharpening begins, it is vital to complete all necessary preparations to ensure safety and achieve optimal results:
- Examine the Drill Bit
Before using any drill bit, carefully inspect it for cracks, chips or wear that might indicate cracks in the drill bit’s construction or severe wear and tear.
If the damage is significant, it is preferable to replace rather than sharpen a compromised drill bit as this could increase its risk of breaking during use.
- Sharpen Your Tools
Grinder: For maximum wear resistance when grinding tungsten carbide materials, diamond wheel grinders are highly recommended as they provide gentle care of its hard surface without excessive wear and tear.
Protective Gear: Always wear goggles and gloves as a preventative measure against sparks or debris flying around, while wearing goggles to guard your eyes will protect you from sparks or debris flying by, while gloves will reduce hand injuries.
Coolant/Lubricant: For optimal drilling bit performance, always utilize an appropriate cooling liquid in order to avoid overheating that could result in microcracks or brittleness in its core material.
- Clean the Drill Bit Surface
Make sure that any dirt, oil, or other contaminants from the surface of the drill bit have been eliminated.
Clean surfaces ensure uniform and effective grinding, helping prevent uneven wear or poor sharpening results.
These preparations not only enhance sharpening efficiency but also help extend the lifespan of tungsten carbide drill bits.
Part 2. How to Sharpen Tungsten Carbide Drill Bits?
Sharpening tungsten carbide drill bits requires precision and care for optimal performance and longevity of your drill bits: Follow these steps for optimal results:
Step 1: Securing the Drill Bit
Secure the drill bit securely within a workbench vise or grinder clamp to reduce movement during grinding.
Proper stabilization ensures the sharpening angles remain accurate and protects them against uneven wear and damage.
Step 2: Select an Appropriate Grinding Wheel
Tungsten carbide is extremely hard, rendering traditional grinding wheels ineffective against its surface.
Use a diamond grinding wheel, which will rapidly remove worn layers and restore sharpness.
As a manufacturer of tungsten carbide parts, we supply diamond wheels which have been rigorously tested to be compatible with various industrial drill bit sizes and specifications.
Step 3: Determine the Correct Grinding Angles
Tip Angle: The ideal range of tip angle for drill bits lies between 118deg-135deg. This may have to be altered slightly based on the hardness of the material through which drilling is done.
Clearance Angle: To ensure smooth cutting and reduce friction, aim for a 12° – 15° clearance angle on both sides of the work area.
Proper adjustment of the angles provides for effective cutting and prolongs a drill bit’s service life.
Step 4: Grinding Gently to Prevent Overheating
Lightly touch the drill bit onto the grinding wheel without exerting force; no heavy or abrupt touches should be applied.
Liquid can help to maintain an appropriate temperature or grind intermittently to prevent overheating and subsequent microcracks or brittleness in tungsten carbide, potentially leading to microfractures and/or brittleness.
Step 5: Review of Sharpening Results
Check all cutting edges to ensure they are sharp, symmetrical, and free of burrs.
Start by testing the drill bit on a piece of wood or metal to ensure smooth cutting performance.
Step 6: Maintain a Clean and Lubricated Environment
Once sharpened, rinse the drill bit surface with water or use a mild cleaner to eliminate any dust or grinding residue left from sharpening.
Apply a thin coating of anti-rust oil or lubricant to protect and extend the sharpness of the drill bit, maintaining long-term sharpness.
As long as these steps are followed, your tungsten carbide drill bits will remain highly efficient and durable, prolonging their use in demanding industrial applications.
Part 3. Common Mistakes When Sharpening Tungsten Carbide Drill Bits
Tungsten carbide drill bits must be sharpened carefully to avoid making mistakes that reduce cutting efficiency, shorten lifespan or result in permanent damage to the drill bit itself. Being aware of potential pitfalls will help ensure they’re avoided:
1. An incorrect grinding angle
Tip angle (usually within the range of 118-135deg) and clearance angle (12-15deg) play key roles in the success of any cut.
Grinding at incorrect angles can make a drill bit less effective at penetrating material, create uneven holes or increase friction.
An uneven angle between its cutting edges can result in an unstable drill bit during use, leading to incorrect holes being created as well as increased wear on its moving parts.
2. Overheating of Drill Bit
Applying too much pressure, grinding without stopping continuously and without rest, may generate excessive heat.
Tungsten carbide is both hard and brittle; temperatures above 600F may cause microcracks or weaken its cutting edges to form, eventually weakening their structure over time.
An overheated drill can produce visible discoloration, chipping at its tip or sudden breakage during use.
Utilising sufficient coolant or intermittent grinding helps maintain an ideal working temperature and limit heat-related damage.
3. Utilizing the Incorrect Grinding Wheel
Ordinary abrasive wheels may not be capable of effectively sharpening tungsten carbide and may wear out quickly or damage the drill bit.
Only diamond grinding wheels or specially designed wheels for hard materials can properly smooth surfaces and restore sharpness to surfaces.
Unsuitable wheels can result in uneven edges, reduced cutting efficiency and shorter drill bit lifespan.
4. Ignoring Drill Bit Cleanliness
Residue such as dust, oil or previous grinding debris can interfere with grinding, leading to uneven edges that prevent your bit from reaching its potential and creating a sharp and smooth edge.
Always clean the drill bit thoroughly prior to sharpening, in order to ensure an even and precise sharpening process.
5. Bypassing Inspection Following Sharpening
Unintentionally leaving minor burrs or uneven edges unchecked after sharpening can leave minor burrs unnoticed, potentially leaving your drill bit vulnerable to wear-and-tear damage that goes undetected.
These imperfections can significantly lower cutting quality and may even damage a workpiece during drilling operations.
As with any major project, conducting drill tests on scrap material should be used as a way to validate performance before embarking on major endeavours.
Avoiding these mistakes will ensure your tungsten carbide drill bits maintain peak cutting performance, longevity and safety during use.
Part 4. Strategies to Extend the Lifespan of Tungsten Carbide Drill Bits
Care and usage of tungsten carbide drill bits is essential to prolonging their service life and maintaining cutting efficiency. Here are some practical tips:
1. Employ Lubricants or Coolants to Decrease Friction and Heat
Cutting oil or coolants help dissipate heat generated from friction while drilling.
Reduced heat protects against microcracks, edge chipping and premature wear – keeping the drill bit sharp for an extended period.
Drilling metals or other hard materials that produce high temperatures presents unique challenges when drilling at high temperatures.
2. Regularly Inspect and Sharpen Drill Bits
Periodic inspection allows you to detect wear, chips, or minor damage early.
Sharpening on time ensures the cutting edges remain sharp and symmetrical, maintaining accuracy and efficiency during drilling operations.
Small dullings of drill motor components can increase workload and decrease hole quality, and therefore decrease hole productivity.
3. Prevent Extended Drilling in Hard Materials
Long drilling in extremely hard materials without taking breaks can result in overheating and excessive wear, potentially leading to overheating and increased wear and tear.
Work at regular intervals or reduce drilling speed in order to alleviate stress on the drill bit and ensure optimal performance.
Utilising appropriate drilling parameters for the material type also contributes to prolonging longevity.
4. Source Reliable Tungsten Carbide Parts Manufacturers for Drill Bits
High-quality drill bits, made by reliable manufacturers, guarantee constant hardness and wear resistance as well as stability of the structure.
The reputable providers test their drill bits for performance and durability in order to reduce the possibility of premature failure.
Although quality tools may be more expensive at the beginning, their advantages are that they save time, enhance efficiency, and reduce replacement costs in the long term.
Follow these tips to extend the life of tungsten carbide drill bits and increase precision and overall efficiency in your projects.
Final Words
Tungsten carbide drill bits require proper care to remain sharp. By following the correct procedures, including securing the bit, selecting an appropriate grinding wheel, controlling angles and preventing overheating，you can extend their lifespan and enhance machining efficiency. At our professional manufacturer of tungsten carbide parts, we supply superior-grade drill bits and industrial components designed to meet a range of industrial machining needs, so your tools always perform at their peak potential.
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