Flattening Stone Not Square ???

[pnienaber]

I have 3 King brand water stones (800, 1000 & 6000) I bought an Ice Bear brand flattening stone at the recent Perth Wood Show to flatten my water stones. The flattening stone has deep grooves, but its surface is not flat ??? The parrts in the middle protrude the most. I assume if one rubs it across a water stone so that the middle covers the whole water stone, then it should flatten the water stone...

Am I doing something wrong, or should the flattening stone surface be totally flat? I cannot find instructions for its use on the web. I have in the past used wet and dry sandpaper on a glass plate.

All advice welcome.

[MikeW]

Having never had nor used one of these type flattening stones, my thought is the thing used to flatten should itself be flat. I would consider exchanging it for one which is flat.

Take care, Mike

[zenwood]

i've got the Lee Valley system consisting of a glass plate and the carbide powder abrasive. I've found I hardly use it any more since I've been rubbing my waterstones against each other each time I sharpen. That way, the stones keep each other flat.

[pnienaber]

Ok, I guess I am no further in my quest for advice from someone who has used a special flattening stone. I have previously used 240 grit wet and dry sandpaper on glass to flatten my water stones. I also have a large DMT diamond plate, however, this has a slight hollow. I do not believe in rubbing the stones together, as my 6000 King stone has a hollow, but the others are quite flat. i was looking for a convenient way to quickly flatten the stones. I looked at multiple flattening stones, but none of them were flat. I think they are designed that way. I will order a larger, but much more expensive stone from Dick Tools in Germay and give it a try. Thanks again, Pieter

[derekcohen]

Hi Pieter

Before you order another expensive flattening stone, how about flattening the flateening stone?

What is its construction? I have seen pictures of one, but not used any.

For Kings I use 220 grit plasterboard mesh or a 240 grit beltsander belt glued to a glass plate. For my Shapstones I use a Extra Coarse DMT diamond stone (it is flat).

Regards from Perth

Derek

[pnienaber]

Derek, I was hoping you would get onto my message. The flattening stone is made from some brown ceramic stuff (looks like a paving stone). It is sold under the "Ice Bear" brand, which I believe is made by King. I have a DMT metal sharpening plate, but it has a slight hollow. It is not the type with the plastic grid. Where do I get the plasterboard mesh?

BTW, I think you are also a loudspeaker builder so would like to catch up about that sometime.

[AlexS]

Where do I get the plasterboard mesh?



Try a specialist paint shop.

Sorry I can't help about the flattening stone - never used one.

[derekcohen]

Hi Pieter

You can get plasterboard mesh from Bunnings. I usually get 220 grit. The sheets are about 12" x 3" from memory. However the last time I tried (about a month ago) all they had was 150 grit in smaller sheets.

We could try grinding down your flattening stone on my belt sander.

Where about in Perth are you?

Regards

Derek

[pnienaber]

Derek, I am in Swanbourne. At the moment I am away at Dwellingup every weekend doing the "introductory woodcraft" course for a total of 10 weeks. If it would suit you, I could bring it one week evening. I will try and post a picture of the flattening stone.

[derekcohen]

Pieter

PM sent

Regards

Derek

[Lignum]

At the moment I am away at Dwellingup every weekend doing the "introductory woodcraft" course for a total of 10 weeks.

Curious...

If you are doing that course, then why are you posting this question on this forum?
Surley the teachers can answer all your questions, it doesnt make sense:?

[pnienaber]

Lignum, I know I should have posted in the Sharpening forum. Trust me, I have more woodworking books than most people. I have also taken lessons with some excellent instructors, all who sharpen in a different way. I was specifically looking for someone who had experience with one of these flattening stones. The people at the FHC do not know everything. However, I am thoroughly enjoying the course and can recommend it. Pieter