Old Eclipse #39 drill sharpener: how to use?

[paul womack]

Just got one of these at a yard sale. It's a manual gadget
for sharpening twist bits. It's got an angled 'V' groove for holding
the bits, and wheels. I guess you just roll it along on some taped
down SiC paper. But I don't know what angle you put the bit into,
or how you control the process (cutting angle, relief angle,
all that good stuff)

I don't own (or want to own) a bench grinder, so this little
fella looks like fun.

So if anyone can point me at a manual, or tell me how to use
it I'd be grateful.

BugBear (looking forward to sharper bits)

[paul womack]

Just to be old fashioned, and report back to the group:
A kind fellow in Canada (!) photocopied and sent me an
original instruction sheet.

It's kinda difficult to do the illustrations, but if
you've got the gadget in your hand, the text is pretty
clear:

herein transcribed.

For sharpening twist drills in a range of sizes from 3mm (1/8 inch) to
13 m (1/2 inch)

Assembly
Remove small chrome plated screw from strut. Assemble struct
into body. Fit screw and tighten up.

Instruction for use
1 Hold strut with V channel uppermost.

2 Release back stop and slide to end of strut

3 Loosen drill clamping screw

4 Insert dril into V strut with point away from back stop. Hold drill
in V with thumb. Upturn sharpener to bring drill point into view, align
one cutting edge parallel to and flush with front gauge, which is
adjustable for different drill size.

5 Lightly tighten drill clamping screw

6 Swing aside back stop shim and slide back stop into contact with
the drill shank and tighten

7 Swing shim back into V. This will advance drill the required amount
for sharpening.

8 Check that the drill is still correctly aligned with front gauge and
fully tighten drill clamping screw

9 With one hand hold sharpener between thunmb and finger in side
recesses and with the other hand hold abrasive paper on a smooth flat
surface

10 Roll sharpener up and down the full lenght of the abrasive paper
until cutting ceases

11 Fully release drill clamping screw rotate drill 180 and align second
cutting edge with front gauge

12 Ensure drill shank is in contact with back stop shim and tighen
drill clamp screw.

13 Repeat sharpening action

14 If drill is not completely sharpened, repeat from 6

Note
(a) use whole surface of abrasive paper
(b) do no allow wheels to slide
(c) For speed of sharpening we suggest 100 grit Aluminium Oxide
(Aloxite) paper