Sharpen your dull drill bits in seconds
Bad Dog Diamond Sharpening Wheel
How to Sharpen SDS Drill Bits (and Any Drill Bit) in Seconds
If you’re wondering how to sharpen SDS drill bits or standard drill bits, the process is a lot simpler than most people think.
With the right angle and a diamond wheel, you can bring a dull bit back to life in seconds and get right back to drilling.
How to Sharpen an SDS Drill Bit
To sharpen an SDS drill bit, hold the cutting edge at a 118° angle against a diamond wheel and lightly grind each side evenly. Use a flat reference surface to keep the angle consistent, and sharpen both sides equally so the bit cuts straight.
Step-by-Step: Sharpening SDS and Drill Bits
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Chuck the Bad Dog Drill Sharpener into your drill
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Find the flat spot on the wheel where there is no diamond
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Set your bit to a 118° angle using that flat as your reference
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Drag the cutting edge out across the diamond surface
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Flip the bit and repeat on the other side
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Keep both sides even so the bit tracks straight
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Test the bit outside hammer mode
A few seconds is all it takes.
How to Tell If Your SDS Drill Bit Is Dull
Most guys miss this, but it is the easiest way to check your bit.
Your SDS drill bit should still cut even when it is not in hammer mode. If it spins and does nothing, the cutting edges are worn down.
Other signs:
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You have to lean on the drill
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It only works in hammer mode
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It creates excess heat
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It drills slower than it should
If you see any of that, it is time to sharpen.
What Angle Should You Sharpen a Drill Bit?
Most general-purpose drill bits, including many SDS bits, are sharpened to a 118° point angle.
That angle gives you:
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Fast starts
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Efficient cutting
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Less heat buildup
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Longer edge life
When you sharpen, you are not reshaping the whole bit. You are restoring that 118° cutting geometry.
Why a Diamond Wheel Works Best
A diamond wheel removes material clean and evenly without overheating the cutting edge.
That matters because:
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Heat kills the edge
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Uneven grinding ruins the angle
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Cheap abrasives wear out fast
Diamond keeps the edge sharp and consistent so your bit cuts like it should.
What This Looks Like in the Real World
You do not need a bench grinder. You do not need a jig.
All you need is a diamond wheel.
Find the flat. Set your angle. Drag the edge out. Flip it. Repeat.
When you get it right, you will feel it immediately. The bit grabs and starts cutting again, even before you switch to hammer mode.
Once you hit hammer mode, it drills even faster.
Why Sharpening Matters on the Job
A dull SDS drill bit slows everything down.
You end up:
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Pushing harder
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Building heat
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Wearing out the bit faster
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Taking longer on every hole
Sharpening takes seconds and fixes all of that.
The Tool That Makes It Easy
The Bad Dog Drill Sharpener is a 4 inch diamond-coated wheel with a 1/4 inch shank that chucks right into your drill.
It is designed specifically to maintain that 118° angle quickly on the jobsite without a full sharpening setup.
You sharpen and keep moving.
More Than Just SDS Drill Bits
Once it is in your kit, you will use it for more than sharpening.
It is also great for:
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Trimming tile
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Cleaning up rough edges
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Lopping off the end of a bolt
Built for Real Work
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Designed for 118° Bad Dog Multi-Purpose Drill Bits
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Works for sharpening SDS and standard drill bits
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Diamond-coated for long life
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Fast, simple jobsite use
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Backed by our lifetime guarantee
If you wear it out or mess it up, we will take care of it.
Stop Fighting a Dull Bit
Most people keep pushing a dull bit and wasting time.
You do not have to.
Set the angle to 118°.
Find the flat.
Drag it out.
Flip it.
Now get back to drilling.
FAQ: Sharpening SDS Drill Bits
Can you sharpen SDS drill bits?
Yes. SDS drill bits can be sharpened using a diamond wheel by restoring the cutting edges while maintaining the correct angle.
What angle do you sharpen SDS drill bits at?
Most SDS and general-purpose drill bits use a 118° angle for balanced cutting and durability.
Why won’t my SDS drill bit cut?
If your bit spins without biting, the cutting edges are dull and need to be sharpened.
Do you need a special tool to sharpen drill bits?
A diamond wheel is the easiest and most effective way to sharpen drill bits quickly and accurately.
Written by Joseph Strong on 19th Mar 2026 I’m JJ Strong, a mechanical engineer and third-generation tool designer at Bad Dog Tools, our American-made, family-run company built on durability and innovation. I grew up hauling booths and talking tools at trade shows before I could even drive. Now I design and build and improve our next generation of lifetime-guaranteed tools - our custom induction brazing system to our precision sharpening technology. On weekends, you’ll find me restoring my ’86 Land Rover Defender or ’54 Jaguar XK120 and seeing just how much I can build (or break) with Bad Dog Tools.