RW

R. Wink

03/10/2004 12:31 AM

Stones

I've got a small problem with sharpening stones. My dad died last year and left me his stones. I have a double sided stone
that's extremely rough, a couple of diamond hone blocks (180, 260 & 360 grit) that look like they came from HF, a double
sided white and blue and a stone reading "Franz Swaty." All of them are loaded and have extremely shiny surfaces.
Is there a way to clean and/or save these stones? What's the proper way to use them..oil, water or dry? I've got a number
of carving tools, planes and power tools I'd like to sharpen but don't have any idea if these stones will work or are worth
the effort.
R. Wink


This topic has 11 replies

LB

Larry Blanchard

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

03/10/2004 9:25 AM

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> I'd use a light oil like sewing machine oil or camellia
> oil to lube them. 3-in-1 works well too, but I have a source of sewing machine oil that's cheaper than 3-in-1.
>
I've had pretty good luck with mineral oil from the discount grocery -
seems to be about the right consistency not to fly off the stone.

--
Where ARE those Iraqi WMDs?

RC

Rick Cook

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

03/10/2004 5:24 AM



AAvK wrote:

> > I've got a small problem with sharpening stones. My dad died last year and left me his stones. I have a double sided stone
> > that's extremely rough, a couple of diamond hone blocks (180, 260 & 360 grit) that look like they came from HF, a double
> > sided white and blue and a stone reading "Franz Swaty." All of them are loaded and have extremely shiny surfaces.
> > Is there a way to clean and/or save these stones? What's the proper way to use them..oil, water or dry? I've got a number
> > of carving tools, planes and power tools I'd like to sharpen but don't have any idea if these stones will work or are worth
> > the effort. R. Wink
>
> Also, below (previously) in this NG search for the header:
> "flattening Shapton stones - any alternatives to the Shapton plates?"
> You'll see some good suggestions for flattening stones, which
> I intend to try.
>
> I think wd-40 is too thin, never done it, but saw someone else do
> it and the stuff soaks right in when some should remain on top,
> to be effective. He kept on putting it in frequently as I watched.
>
> Point being is, the oil prevents the stones from clogging the way you
> found yours and creates "slippage". I suggest as cheaper source that
> will be effective, 3-in1 oil. You can get large sizes of it cheaply at places
> like home depot or orchard supply hardware.
>
> Alex

I'd suggest cleaning the stones by scrubbing with detergent and a brush. I'd use a light oil like sewing machine oil or camellia
oil to lube them. 3-in-1 works well too, but I have a source of sewing machine oil that's cheaper than 3-in-1. (SWMBO is a
mega-serious sewer and quilter with 'ins' and discounts at a lot of the local shops.) The diamond stones can be used with water as
well.

--RC

RC

Rick Cook

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

04/10/2004 8:14 PM



AAvK wrote:

> > I'd suggest cleaning the stones by scrubbing with detergent and a brush.
>
> I have done that and it work pretty good, then I read to soak an old stone in
> kerosene, right on the carborundum box, doing that currently.
>
> I'd use a light oil like sewing machine oil or camellia
> > oil to lube them. 3-in-1 works well too, but I have a source of sewing machine oil that's cheaper than 3-in-1.
> [snip]
>
> That is a good thought, does it work well? Is it thick enough?

Sewing machine oil is thick enough without being too thick. I suppose if I was doing things like putting edges on
beat-up machetes, I might prefer something like 30 weight motor oil, but most of what I'm doing is honing and light
edge renewal. I have used sewing machine oil for flattening the bottom of planes, however and it worked well.

--RC

>
>
> Alex

RC

Rick Cook

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

05/10/2004 7:13 AM



AAvK wrote:

> > I have used sewing machine oil for flattening the bottom of planes, however
> > and it worked well.
>
> Really? That is what I am doing now with a stanley #4 type 19, on sand paper
> which is on thick glass, super 77 and dry with no oil, but what is your media,
> a tool or the same as what I'm doing?

For flattening I use a sheet of plate glass with wet or dry sandpaper lubricated
with sewing machine oil. The lubricant keeps the paper from loading up so quickly
and makes it last longer. I've also found it pays to go to an auto supply store and
get high-quality sandpaper.

I also use the same setup for sharpening plane blades, woodworking chisels and
similar tools. (My woodcarving chisels get a different treatment, in part because
they have a different profile.)

--RC

>
>
> This plane was used a lot for a long time but it was never tuned, the factory
> grinding marks are still on the sole and still a lot of hills and valleys. Wanna
> get it real smooth.
>
> Alex

In my experience, just flattening the sole of a plane makes a huge difference in how
well it works.


sD

[email protected] (Doug Miller)

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

04/10/2004 1:33 AM

In article <PyJ7d.1157$1g5.155@trnddc07>, "Searcher" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Personally, I use WD 40 to clean my stones.

Odd, I use soap and a washcloth to clean mine.

Oh, wait. Never mind.

--
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Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)

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by sending email to autoresponder at filterinfo-at-milmac-dot-com
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SU

"Searcher"

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

03/10/2004 2:34 AM

Personally, I use WD 40 to clean my stones. I am sure many opinions will
come of this. One thing though, you will want to find your flatest most
perfect stone that you have and square your finer stones. Constant
sharpening will cause a "gully" in your stone. When sharpening I will also
use WD 40.
Hope this helps you it id what I do and have never had a problem.

Searcher1

"R. Wink" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've got a small problem with sharpening stones. My dad died last year
> and left me his stones. I have a double sided stone
> that's extremely rough, a couple of diamond hone blocks (180, 260 & 360
> grit) that look like they came from HF, a double
> sided white and blue and a stone reading "Franz Swaty." All of them are
> loaded and have extremely shiny surfaces.
> Is there a way to clean and/or save these stones? What's the proper way
> to use them..oil, water or dry? I've got a number
> of carving tools, planes and power tools I'd like to sharpen but don't
> have any idea if these stones will work or are worth
> the effort.
> R. Wink

Aa

"AAvK"

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

03/10/2004 12:48 AM


> I'd suggest cleaning the stones by scrubbing with detergent and a brush.

I have done that and it work pretty good, then I read to soak an old stone in
kerosene, right on the carborundum box, doing that currently.

I'd use a light oil like sewing machine oil or camellia
> oil to lube them. 3-in-1 works well too, but I have a source of sewing machine oil that's cheaper than 3-in-1.
[snip]

That is a good thought, does it work well? Is it thick enough?

Alex

Aa

"AAvK"

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

02/10/2004 8:20 PM


> I've got a small problem with sharpening stones. My dad died last year and left me his stones. I have a double sided stone
> that's extremely rough, a couple of diamond hone blocks (180, 260 & 360 grit) that look like they came from HF, a double
> sided white and blue and a stone reading "Franz Swaty." All of them are loaded and have extremely shiny surfaces.
> Is there a way to clean and/or save these stones? What's the proper way to use them..oil, water or dry? I've got a number
> of carving tools, planes and power tools I'd like to sharpen but don't have any idea if these stones will work or are worth
> the effort. R. Wink


Also, below (previously) in this NG search for the header:
"flattening Shapton stones - any alternatives to the Shapton plates?"
You'll see some good suggestions for flattening stones, which
I intend to try.

I think wd-40 is too thin, never done it, but saw someone else do
it and the stuff soaks right in when some should remain on top,
to be effective. He kept on putting it in frequently as I watched.

Point being is, the oil prevents the stones from clogging the way you
found yours and creates "slippage". I suggest as cheaper source that
will be effective, 3-in1 oil. You can get large sizes of it cheaply at places
like home depot or orchard supply hardware.

Alex

b

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

02/10/2004 11:21 PM

On Sun, 03 Oct 2004 00:31:03 GMT, R. Wink <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I've got a small problem with sharpening stones. My dad died last year and left me his stones. I have a double sided stone
>that's extremely rough, a couple of diamond hone blocks (180, 260 & 360 grit) that look like they came from HF, a double
>sided white and blue and a stone reading "Franz Swaty." All of them are loaded and have extremely shiny surfaces.
>Is there a way to clean and/or save these stones? What's the proper way to use them..oil, water or dry? I've got a number
>of carving tools, planes and power tools I'd like to sharpen but don't have any idea if these stones will work or are worth
>the effort.
>R. Wink


kitchen cleanser (I like barkeeper's friend) and a green scotchbrite
pad will clean them pretty well.

Aa

"AAvK"

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

04/10/2004 3:41 PM


> I have used sewing machine oil for flattening the bottom of planes, however
> and it worked well.


Really? That is what I am doing now with a stanley #4 type 19, on sand paper
which is on thick glass, super 77 and dry with no oil, but what is your media,
a tool or the same as what I'm doing?

This plane was used a lot for a long time but it was never tuned, the factory
grinding marks are still on the sole and still a lot of hills and valleys. Wanna
get it real smooth.

Alex

Ac

Anonymous

in reply to R. Wink on 03/10/2004 12:31 AM

17/10/2004 7:44 PM

On Sun, 03 Oct 2004 00:31:03 +0000, R.Wink wrote:

> I've got a small problem with sharpening stones. My dad died last year
> and left me his stones. I have a double sided stone that's extremely
> rough, a couple of diamond hone blocks (180, 260 & 360 grit) that look
> like they came from HF, a double sided white and blue and a stone reading
> "Franz Swaty." All of them are loaded and have extremely shiny
> surfaces. Is there a way to clean and/or save these stones? What's the
> proper way to use them..oil, water or dry? I've got a number of carving
> tools, planes and power tools I'd like to sharpen but don't have any idea
> if these stones will work or are worth the effort.
> R. Wink

To clean the stones, soak them in mineral spirits in an old electric fry
pan. Bring it to a simmer (out of doors preferred) and let it stay that
way for fifteen minutes to half an hour. Allow them to cool in the pan,
soaking up the oil / mineral spirits blend as they cool. Take them out
and wipe them off with a rag. If any metal still sticks to them, pick
it off with a scribe tip. Now, soak them with whatever oil you intend to
use for cutting to refill their inner pores and rub them together to
flatten them. Obviously the diamond whet stones and any round stones do
not get this treatment ... in is only for bench stones.

Apply a few squirts of oil each time you sharpen something on them so that
the pores are full of oil and not shavings.

Bill

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