resharpening a carving bit

[Capt Bruce]

These are not the best photos but as good as the close up on my Canon pocket camera will allow.
I bought this set of Trend files more than 10 years ago to touch up conventional carbide tipped router bits, being Scottish by nature and they show no wear to date. The maker notes they are 600 grit monocrystaline diamond coated. Here are a few photos



With the bit secured in my drill chuck as a steady rest and the file laid in the flute I use just that part of the file that is about half the width of the groove and press up against the inside cutting edge. 2-3 short strokes in each area and then work up along the edge. Step down to the next flute and follow it again and then the 3rd or 4th flute as well.

In the last photo I come back to each flute at the tip from the other direction and follow that edge raising the angle of the file up to stay with the edge right up onto the top.

I generally wait until I have several bits that need this type of touch-up work so my routine is fairly consistent and muscle memory clicks in. Can't say this will work for everyone but seems to work for me. Comments are welcome Team.

[DocWheeler]

Pretty cool Capt.
I found a source of that file for $7, most of the others I found were 400 grit, even found one with 150 grit!

[bergerud]

I am going to give that a try. I also have very fine diamond dust Dremel bits I may try. I have a microscope to check results.

[Capt Bruce]

I am going to give that a try. I also have very fine diamond dust Dremel bits I may try. I have a microscope to check results.

Hi Bergerud,
I want to ask if you had a chance to try sharpening like this. If so did your microscope reveal anything that would help us all? Thanks

[RogerB]

just found my set of sharpening honse. This is something to try for sure.

[bergerud]

No, I have not yet given your method a try.

I broke the cutting edges off of the tip of a new (one of Jeff's) carving bit the other day. So, under my microscope, I reshaped and resharpened it with a diamond disc on a Dermel. The ball is now more like a 3/32" ball but it carves fine. A very delicate operation and I think I would only use such a bit for roughing.

[Capt Bruce]

Thanks,
I have not tried salvaging a broken bit tip but may try it sometime to create as you said, a "roughing-in" bit. Delicate to be sure but if I get more carving life from an otherwise dull bit then nothing lost in the long run. Keep on creating.

[ktjwilliams]

Sometimes folks over complicate things ... We're talking carbide cutting wood in most cases ... Most times the cutters aren't dull they get a build up of pitch N gum ,,, So a simple cleaning restores the cutter most times .. But TOUCHING up with the drill in reverse is just that a touch up... And the tip can also be touched up in the same manner ...
As one of my shop teachers said " KISS " !!! KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID ..... Oh ,,, I have an "A" machine and am still using the original carving bit with great results ... Proof is in the pudding ...

[unitedcases]

Original bit? That's impressive. How many hours on that beast?

[ktjwilliams]

Not sure how many hrs on the bit, but I would say a couple hundred .... Just cleaning the pitch N gum out goes a long way !!! Mostly I've just carved wood but I have also used that bit to carve several pieces in corian ...

Original bit? That's impressive. How many hours on that beast?