How do I sharpen drill bits on a bench grinder?

Hold the drill bit at a 59-degree angle to the wheel face with the cutting lip horizontal. Touch the heel of the bit to the wheel and rotate slightly downward. The heel must be lower than the cutting edge. Practice on old bits first. Drill bit sharpening jigs ($20-30) make this much easier and more consistent.

How do I dress a grinding wheel?

Use a diamond wheel dresser or star wheel dresser. With the grinder running, press the dresser firmly against the wheel face and move it back and forth. This removes glazed, loaded, or out-of-round material and exposes fresh abrasive. Dress your wheel whenever it glazes (becomes shiny) or vibrates from being out of round.

Best Bench Grinders 2026