Darex Timeline

Darex has grown to produce the world’s best-selling industrial drill sharpeners as well as a full range of commercial and consumer sharpening products. Darex® brands include Darex® industrial bit sharpeners, Drill Doctor® professional and DYI drill bit sharpeners, and Work Sharp® knife and tool sharpeners. Darex has been helping industry professionals and do-it-yourselfers stay sharp for almost 40 years.

1947


Bernard Welding Equipment Co. is founded by Art Bernard, one of the world’s first welding engineers.
Art’s son Richard soon joins and Bernard Co. grows to become one of the premier manufactures of MIG welding guns and other welding accesories.
The genesis for Darex is where there is a constant struggle to maintain sharp drills in their manufacturing process

1973


Darex incorporates. Richard Bernard and David, his son, are founders. The first three letter of the Darex name are the first letters of David, Arthur and Richard Bernard.

1976


First Darex drill sharpener M-1 is introduced at Cleveland regional tool show. Shown at IMTS later that year.

1979


Second generation drill sharpener M-2 is introduced, replacing the M-1.

1981


Third generation drill sharpener M-3 is introduced. Designed by Dave, first attempt at “prosumer” product, the M-3 is designed to attach to a common bench grinder.

1982


M-4 and M-5 are introduced; M-5 adds point splitting for the first time.

1986


A low cost Power Feed that could be attached to any drill press was introduced at $298.

1988


E series Endmill Sharpeners are introduced.

1990


TR series of tap and reamer sharpeners is introduced.

1992


SP series of Drill Sharpeners is introduced. Awarded 3rd best place to work in Oregon by Oregon Business Magazine.

1995


BK-65 sharpener for large drills up to 2½” (65mm) is introduced.

1996


Drill Doctor debuts in August at the Int’l Hardware Show in Chicago. AP-5000 automatic drill sharpener introduced at $5998.

1999


The Drill Doctor 250 Handyman is introduced to the marketplace and wins the Best New Product award from the Handyman Club of America as well as Retailers Choice Award at the National Hardware Show. Drill Doctor outgrows their home and moves to the current location.

2000


Paul Harvey begins endorsing the Drill Doctor products in one of the first nationwide advertising campaigns for Drill Doctor. Company named one of Oregon’s top 50 places to work.

2001


The Drill Doctor 100 Traveler is introduced and wins Retailers Choice Award at National Hardware Show. Drill Doctor also begins airing long-form infomercial. Company named one of Oregons top 50 places to work.

2002


Darex introduces the XPS-16 CNC drill bit sharpener, a breakthrough in cutting tool sharpening technology that brings the accuracy, programmability, and automation of a tool and cutter grinder to an affordable cost.

2003


Darex Introduces the XT-3000 Xpandable Tool Sharpener. The XT combines the ease of use of the SP series machines with the versatility and adjustments of the M series sharpeners.

2004


The one-millionth Drill Doctor is sold! Company named one of Oregon’s top 50 places to work for the third year in a row.

2005


The entire Drill Doctor line is re-engineered as “GenNext,” adding functionality and making the Drill Doctor even easier to use.

2007


The Work Sharp brand—for precision wood and shop tool sharpening— is launched.

2008


The Darex family tradition continues as Matthew Bernard becomes the fourth generation family owner of the company.

2009


Darex introduces the Auto Sharpener, which automates the sharpening process on the already popular XT-3000 for greater throughput and repeatability.

2010


Drill Doctor introduces the DD Spade Bit Sharpener combining the already popular twist bit sharpening technology with never before seen powered spade bit sharpening. Work Sharp introduces the Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener, the first ever consumer knife sharpener that uses flexible abrasive belts.