Drill Bit Angle Gauge – Usage, Charts and Brands

The drill bit angle gauge, drill point gauge, and drill bit sharpening gauge are the same tool which is used to measure the drill bit angle.

A drill bit angle gauge measures the drill bit point angle while resharpening. Drill bit angle gauges are mainly two types. Those are fixed gauges and adjustable gauges. A fixed-angle drill bit gauge can measure 118 degrees and 135 degrees. Adjustable gauges can measure a wide range of angles, such as you need. However, fixed drill bit sharpening gauges are more efficient than adjustable drillbit sharpening gauges.

What is a Drill Bit Angle Gauge?

A drill bit angle gauge is used to measure the drill bit point angle. It is made of stainless steel and roughly 3″ -6″ long. Drill bit angle gauge is mostly used in twist drill bits. Single-angle gauges can measure only one angle and universal grinding gauges can measure 60 °, 70 °, 90 °, 110 °, 118 °, 125 °, 135 °, 150 °, and 160 °.

Drill bit sharpening varies with the type of drill bit, drilling material, drill bit geometry, and outer coating. Hence, you should know how to sharpen a drill bit properly by using suitable tools and equipment.

What are the 2 Types of Drill Bits Angle Gauges?

The main 2 types of drill bit sharpening gauges are adjustable-angle sharpening gauges and fixed-angle sharpening gauges. A fixed sharpening angle gauge is cheaper than an adjustable gauge. An adjustable drill bit angle gauge can be used to measure a wide range of angles.

When you use a drill bit sharpening gauge continuously, it is better to have a fixed gauge. Because it will improve efficiency. Adjustables need time to operate it. Below are the best drill bit sharpeners that you can use for your workshop.

1. Adjustable Drill Bit Sharpening Gauge

The most used adjustable drill bit angle sharpener brand is General Tool.

General Tools (a company) adjustable drill bit sharpening gauge is one of the most used adjustable gauge in the market. It is a 6-inch length in size and consists of a 4-inch ruler. It has the below useful features,

1. DRILL POINT GAUGE: Checks 59 angle drill points.
2. BEVEL PROTRACTOR: Measures and lays out angles.
3. CENTER FINDER: Locates centres of shafts or circles.
4. CIRCLE DIVIDER: Used for dividing circles into sectors, regular polygons and polygrams (up to 9 equal parts).
5. TAP & DRILL TABLE: Correlates popular top sizes with correct drill sizes for the National form of threat.

Read More About – Drill Bit Sharpening Angle Charts for Metal, Wood, and Masonry

2. Fixed Angle 118-degree Drill Bit Gauge

This is a fixed drill bit sharpening gauge. It comes with both 118 and 135 degrees of angle. Some tools can measure 60 °, 70 °, 90 °, 110 °, 118 °, 125 °, 135 °, 150 °, and 160 ° angles easily with using these tools. Fixed sharpening drill bits are more efficient than adjustable sharpeners.

How to Measure Drill Bit Angle?

A drill bit angle can be measured by following 7 steps.

1. First, clean the drill bit and the angle gauge to ensure there are no debris that might alter the measurements.
2. Next, hold the drill bit with the point facing upward.
3. Place the angle gauge next to the drill bit. Ensure that the base of the gauge is parallel to the length of the drill bit.
4. Look at where the drill bit’s point intersects with the angle measurements on the gauge. This will be the angle of the drill bit.
5. If the point of the drill bit is between two measurements, estimate the angle as best as you can. For example, if the point is between 120 and 130 degrees, you might estimate the angle to be 125 degrees.
6. Repeat the process a few times to ensure accuracy.
7. Write down the angle measurement for future reference.

What are the Recommended Drill Bit Angles for Materials

These are the recommended drill bit angles for metals, wood, concrete, stone, bricks, tiles, PVC, and fiber.

What Drill Bits You Can’t Measure Using a Drill Bit Gauge?

You can’t measure below drill bits point angle using a drill bit gauge.

1. Brad point drill bits – The unique shape of brad point drill bits, with their sharp point and outer spurs, can make it difficult to get an accurate reading with a standard gauge.
2. Hole saw bits – Due to their large size and hollow, cylindrical shape, hole saw bits cannot be measured using a standard drill bit gauge.
3. Countersink bits – The angle of countersink bits is different from standard drill bits, which can make them difficult to measure accurately with a standard gauge.
4. Special drill bits – There are many specialized drill bits, such as forstner bits, auger bits, and spade bits, that have unique shapes and angles that a standard drill bit gauge may not be able to measure accurately.
5. Extremely small or large bits – If the bit is too small, it might be difficult to get an accurate reading. On the other hand, very large drill bits may not fit into the gauge.
6. Damaged or worn bits – If the drill bit is damaged or worn out, it can be challenging to get an accurate measurement.