How to Sharpen a Ship Auger

If you've ever used a ship auger, you know it's a handy tool to bore holes when you might run into a nail or two. The cutting edges are tough and can cut through the nail without the problems that you might have with other tools. If it's dull, you need to sharpen the ship auger.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Triangular file
• Bench grinder
• Fine grit sharpening stone

1. Check the flat top edge of the ship auger. Make sure it's smooth and spirals up to the screw feed. Carefully grasp the tip of the screw feed and use the auger bit file or bench grinder to smooth the surface of the top edge. Make certain that it's a single edge.

2. Sharpen the feed screw, which is the little screw at the end of the ship auger. Hold the top edge against a piece of pine or other softwood. Pass the file across the edges of the feed screw as you turn the auger, and make sure that you don't alter the bevel. Just do the face and keep the amount of material removed down to a minimum as you sharpen.

3. Hold the auger with the screw point up and locate the parts that need sharpening. Look downward at the bit and rotate the ship auger until you see a horizontal cutting edge. The part jutting down on the left-hand side of the cutting edge is the side lip. You only sharpen the inside of the lip and the cutter when you sharpen a ship auger. Move the triangular vise against the edge until sharp.

4. Place the auger in a vise so you can see the lip and side edge interior. Sharpen with a triangular file. If you need to, tilt the auger so the spots are more visible. Keep the same bevel as the factory.

5. Remove any burr from the bit with a fine grit sharpening stone, minimum 3,000 grit. Move the ship auger around in a circle to remove the burr.

6. Inspect the ship auger. Check the auger for clean bevels and sharp edges. If everything looks good, you accomplished the job of sharpening a ship auger.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use a bench grinder for any steps, wear safety glasses.