whats the best way to clean drill bits?

[treequip]

Don't use an abrasive, you'll alter the size

 

Unlikely

[treequip]

i'll have to try the cheap cola trick...

 

it's only mild surface rust and i didn't want to take an abrasive to them unless 100% necessary.

 

 

anyone know where you can buy these things???

 

i can't find anything like them this side of the pond.

 

Its a drill bit, as in Brace and bit and you didn't look too hard

 

Auger Drill Bits and Hand Drill Braces - Old Tools

[R Mac]

i'll have to try the cheap cola trick...

 

it's only mild surface rust and i didn't want to take an abrasive to them unless 100% necessary.

 

 

anyone know where you can buy these things???

 

i can't find anything like them this side of the pond.

 

They're known as Auger Bits generally.

 

There are a couple of variations in the design, the ones you have that look a bit like a corkscrew and the ones that have what looks like a central shaft. The type you have are known as Lewis type from what I can see, the most common of the ones with a central shaft are Russel Jennings or Irwin.

 

You can still get the corkscrew type, try Irwin, Bahco etc, stick with names you've heard of, for the earlier type again Irwin, Faithfull, Record etc etc try ebay. If you want to use them in a brace they probably need the tapered square end otherwise a regular straight end like yours. You can get expansive auger bits, again try ebay.

 

For new high quality tools try workshop heaven.com

 

Here's a link to a page explaining the variations on auger bit styles,

 

What are the different auger bit patterns?

Edited August 24, 2016 by R Mac

[R Mac]

Unlikely

 

It's very likely and if you are tempted to sand the outside of the cutters at the end in an attempt to make them nice and sharp you'll end up starting a hole that the remaining part of the auger won't fit in, once you've bored in to 6" (if you even get that far) the bit will be stuck, good luck getting it out.

 

@se7enthdevil, you can buy a file specially for sharpening auger bits but of course you'll probably have to buy it from the States, a very small nedle file will work but buy a decent one.

[Paul in the woods]

I've used citric acid dissolved in water to clean my old auger bits and other tools. I've seen other people use it and you can make it up as weak or strong as you like, a strong hot mix will work quickly or a weaker, cold mix works overnight. When the rust is removed I rinse and give them a light oil. Plenty of info online about it.

[treequip]

It's very likely and if you are tempted to sand the outside of the cutters at the end in an attempt to make them nice and sharp you'll end up starting a hole that the remaining part of the auger won't fit in, once you've bored in to 6" (if you even get that far) the bit will be stuck, good luck getting it out.

 

@se7enthdevil, you can buy a file specially for sharpening auger bits but of course you'll probably have to buy it from the States, a very small nedle file will work but buy a decent one.

 

 

WOT????

 

Its just a rub with a bit of sandpaper or wire wool, how much material do you think wire wool is going to take off?.........................

 

Microns at best unless you dedicate the rest of your life to the job

[spiral]

If you use coke make sure its the diet variety...

 

The sugar sweet ones work much slower & make a stickier mess.

 

spiral

[eagleye]

they just have round ends on them unless you do a chuck up proper tight with a chuck key and give it a little tap with a hammer their going to slip in the chuck better off with the 3 sided ones they dont slip

dont bother cleaning them spray them with a little oil and run them through some scrap timber that will clean the rust off

[cornish wood burner]

Jenolite for removing rust

[Lazurus]

What are you using them for Steve, is it for a specific task, or are you a tool junkie!!