- 1). Clamp the bit into a vise by the shaft of the bit so the cutting edges of the bit is sticking up. Examine the cutting edges of the bit. You will see how the knife edge runs along the profile of the bit at a 30-degree angle. It should be slightly shinier along the angle, and reflect light at a different angle.
- 2). Grasp the file by its handle and lay it on the 30-degree cutting edge. Your file should be pointing down at an angle. Match the angle of the file to the angle of the cutting edge.
- 3). Push forward and down with the file. Remove the file and examine the mark you made with the file. You can see how and where your file is cutting. If the mark is out of alignment with the cutting angle, adjust your file angle and make another mark until you can see that your edge is getting sharper.
- 4). File the cutting edge sharper using only downward strokes. Work along one side of the profile until the angle is bright and shiny and the edge feels sharp to your fingertip.
- 5). File each individual cutting edge until it is shiny. Use only downward strokes and examine your work every few minutes.
previous post