Drill Bit Maintenance

Drill Bit Maintenance

Based on some emails I saw on the deelnemers-mailinglist, I thought, there should be a wiki page on these kind of things.

Please feel free to add additional information and improvements.

What you should check for before you start using a drill bit

• Is it the right type of drill bit for your job:
  • ....
• Is it sharp
• Is it streight
• Does it have a nick

What you should check for during the use of a drill bit

• Cutting fluid (Boormelk)
• ...

What you should check for after you used a drill bit

• Did it become blunt
  • Think of how this happened, so you won't make this happen again
    • did you use the wrong drill bit for the kind of material you are using
    • did the drill bit become too hot
    • ...
  • Do not put it back, but
    • If you know how to sharpen it, do so
    • If you do not know how to sharpen it, throw it in the 'damaged tools'-box and replace it with a new one from the cabinet
  • Did it become bended
    • Think of how this happened, so you won't make this happen again
    • If you do not know how to sharpen it, throw it in the 'damaged tools'-box and replace it with a new one from the cabinet
  • Did it get a nick
    • Think of how this happened, so you won't make this happen again
    • Take a file and file it off so the drill bit fits back into its own size hole in the bit set

What is expected of you when doing the 'Check the drill-bits'-chore

• Check all places where drill bits are available:
  • ...
• Check if there are not loose ones which are not put back properly
  • This is a bad habit from people who are in a hurry, probably.
  • Check if they are damaged (see above)
  • Put them back (maybe they are from a different working location)
• Check if they are complete
• ...