Cleaning oilstones

[Asa Samuel]

Hi,

I bought a cheap oilstone because I have a lot of rough work to do with it but it's getting really clogged up with the metal powder that comes off the blade and isn't as abrasive as before.

How should I go about cleaning it as I thought you shouldn't apply water to an oilstone? Also, is there anything I can do to help prevent the build up?

 

[shaggystu]

soak it in petrol and give it a rub down with a stiff brush.

sorry if this is sucking eggs but....you are using oil on the stone when you use it aren't you?

cheers

stuart

 

[Asa Samuel]

soak it in petrol and give it a rub down with a stiff brush.

sorry if this is sucking eggs but....you are using oil on the stone when you use it aren't you?

cheers

stuart

Yes of course I am - maybe I'm not using enough?

 

[shaggystu]

Yes of course I am - maybe I'm not using enough?

or possibly the oil that you're using is too thick? what kind of oil are you using?

 

[Asa Samuel]

or possibly the oil that you're using is too thick? what kind of oil are you using?

Lol, to be honest I'm not sure, the paint has rusted off! Is there anything you can recommend?

 

[shaggystu]

lol not really mate, that sounds like exactly the same kind of oil that i use! you could try thinning the oil down a little though, white spirit does the job. it could also be the case that you've just taken off the initial roughness of the stone, cheap stones tend to smooth down a little bit when you first start using them (maybe expensive ones do too, i wouldn't know), have you thought of trying a file instead of a stone for "heavier" work?

 

[Asa Samuel]

lol not really mate, that sounds like exactly the same kind of oil that i use! you could try thinning the oil down a little though, white spirit does the job. it could also be the case that you've just taken off the initial roughness of the stone, cheap stones tend to smooth down a little bit when you first start using them (maybe expensive ones do too, i wouldn't know), have you thought of trying a file instead of a stone for "heavier" work?

I had thought about using a file but quickly dismissed it, it's not quite that 'heavy' and I don't want to risk damaging the temper of the blade.

 

[shaggystu]

I had thought about using a file but quickly dismissed it, it's not quite that 'heavy' and I don't want to risk damaging the temper of the blade.

not sure how you'd damage the temper of a blade with a file?

 

[g4ghb]

you can flatten stones on a paving slab - I would think that would 'reface' your stone and bring it back to life

Just rub in circular motions on the flattest slab you can find

 

[launditch1]

Paraffin is also good for cleaning clogged oilstones.As for what oil to use try that household oil in the white cans with red writing(?)4in1 or something like that...(sorry, cant remember its proper name).

 

[1234]

ive used this guide with good results