There is some conflicting information on whether you can sharpen Dewalt drill bits or not. You might be confused about when or how you can sharpen them- if you can sharpen them at all! 

Yes, you can sharpen Dewalt drill bits. If you notice the bits are becoming dull, sharpen them rather than throw them away!

You might be wondering if you can sharpen all drill bits and how to sharpen them. We will cover all the details in this guide so you can stop throwing away old drill bits and reuse them instead!

Can All Dewalt Drill Bits Be Sharpened?

The main concern when it comes to sharpening drill bits is the coating. One thing to remember is that once a bit is dull, the coating is also dull. So sharpening the bit does not affect the coating. 

All Dewalt drill bits that are high-speed twist can be sharpened. 

If you aren’t sure what kind of drill bits you have, check the user manual. You can also look up the product on Amazon and go through the product description as it always states what kind of drill bit is being used. 

One of the most common Dewalt drills that are used is the Pilot Point. This drill uses high-speed twist bits and they can be sharpened. 

Does the Coating Matter On Dewalt Drill Bits? 

All drill bits have a coating. It can be Black and Gold Oxide, Titanium Nitride, or Cobalt. The coating of the drill bit does not matter when it comes to sharpening. 

Over time and with extensive use, drill bits become dull. Once a bit is dull, the coating has already worn off and become dull. So, sharpening the drill bit does not affect the coating and it will not wear it down faster. 

This is the number one myth when it comes to sharpening bits and is why many people throw away their drill bits not realizing that they can sharpen them and keep using them. 

How to Sharpen Dewalt Drill Bits 

Now that you know you can sharpen the drill bits, you might be wondering how to do so! While some people have a machine they can use for sharpening, it’s easy to do by hand.

The best way to sharpen them by hand is to follow these steps:

  1. Use a belt sander or a bench grinder. 
  2. Your hands will be close to the grinder though so make sure you always stay aware of where your hands and fingers are to prevent an injury. 
  3. You also shouldn’t wear gloves. The gloves can get caught in the sander or grinder and then pull your fingers and skin too close causing them damage.  
  4. Once you have the belt sander or bench grinder ready, you want to ensure that the guards are at least 1/8 inch away from the belt. This is so the bit will not get caught between the machine and the guard. 

Let’s get into the steps in more detail below.

Practice By Holding the Bit 

Before beginning the sharpening process, you should practice holding the bit. 

The best way to hold it is at a 60-degree angle with the face of the bit towards the sander or grinder and follow these steps:

  1. Put the end of the landing against the belt. 
  2. You then need to move the bit back and forth across the belt. 
  3. Make sure you practice holding the bit and moving it back and forth a few times before turning the machine on or before doing it with force. 

Skipping the practice step is not a good idea so you might end up damaging your finger or hand. 

Cut the Landing 

Once you have practiced a few times, you can begin to cut the landing by applying pressure to the grinder or sander. You can then use your left hand to operate the device. 

Shape the Chisel 

Now it’s time to shape the end of the bit. 

Move your hand towards the right side so that you can make the perfect chisel angle. You want to make sure the chisel angle is about 45 degrees from the end to the lip. 

You might need to practice a few times before getting the angle perfect. 

Shape the Landing 

Now that you have the chisel, you can shape the landing. Roll or rotate the bit in a counterclockwise direction. This makes the landing rounded and will give the lip better support. 

Combine the Movements 

Now that you have practiced all the movements, you can combine them all together to get the perfect sharpening mechanism. 

You will need to repeat all the movements a few times to get the perfect shape. You can also rotate the drill in your other hand so both sides of the lip get sharpened. 

Final Thoughts 

You can sharpen drill bits by Dewalt that are dull. All you need is a bench grinder or belt sander and follow the procedures above. 

Sharpening the drill bit is a great way to save money so you don’t need to buy new ones. It also doesn’t affect the coating.