water stone flatening

[alex.c]

After recently buying some water stones I was looking for a diamond stone to flatten it and was wondering if there is any advantage to get a better quality diamond stone or a chepo one from ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3PC-Diamo...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item5651c3766f also dose it matter what grit i use ? should i use a coarse medium or fine stone ?
Cheers.
Alex

 

[Teepee]

Those little diamond stones are quite good, pricey though at that. I paid 99p. I'm sure I've seen them in £ shops aswell.

The bigger 'card' stones of that type are nearly useless out of the packet as they warp. They need seperating and mounting onto another board with glue.

Unless its a tiny waterstone, something bigger will be much better. I'd get one of the Aldi or Lidl 4 sided blocks for £7.99-very good for the money.

 

[ateallthepies]

I use the cheap diamond stones from Axminster. Another way is to get some 120 grit or similar sand paper and stick to a flat surface.

Steve.

 

[Paulm]

Use some drywall mesh on a flat surface, get them in packs of a few in B&Q etc for a couple of quid, work great and without clogging so much.

Cheers, Paul

 

[slingback]

I use three whetstones, I rub the faces together, works a treat, 800 against 1200 against 6000 everytime I use them.

 

[sxmolloy]

I use three whetstones, I rub the faces together, works a treat, 800 against 1200 against 6000 everytime I use them.

Same here. I rub the 2 higher grits against the lowest grit and that flattens all 3 stones.

 

[Dave Budd]

i use waterstones a lot (I also use them for teaching, so they get some abuse). I use a paving slab with some sand or better still sandblasting grit. Its fast, cheap and effective, especially if the stone is dinged or quite hollow. Then I rub two stones of similar grits together to remove the coarse groves and any sand particles

 

[Jomo]

i use waterstones a lot (I also use them for teaching, so they get some abuse). I use a paving slab with some sand or better still sandblasting grit. Its fast, cheap and effective, especially if the stone is dinged or quite hollow. Then I rub two stones of similar grits together to remove the coarse groves and any sand particles

I'm with you on this one Dave, I use the concrete slabbed steps outside of my door works a treat and costs me nothing

 

[alex.c]

Thanks for all the help guys it looks like i have a few things to try. I just have a couple of questions. how useful is a nugura stone ? and if i bought a diamond stone for flattening would it also act as a sort nagura stone when sharpening creating a slurry ? Also if i got a diamond stone once using it on water stones can i then use it for general sharpening ?
Thanks again.
Alex

 

[Dave Budd]

the naggy stone is most useful for deglazing a fine stone and adding some extra polishing slurry to it when sharpening. It's not essential, but can be nice to have (though depending on the steel that your balde is made of, you may or may not prefer to use it). I personally wouldn't use the diamond flattener anyway, but you could use it to deglaze and add slurry; I would be wary of stray diamond working loose into the slurry and also the nagura stones are much softer than the stone (thus the slurry is softer and finer than a diamond stone would create).

 

[alex.c]

Thanks again guys.
Alex.