Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    484

    Default 6000 grit "cloudy" finish on King waterstone

    I've been flattening and polishing Titans. I've been polishing to 400 grit wet and dry sandpaper, then moving on to my 6000 grit King waterstone.

    The backs are very shiny off the 400 grit, but develop a rather patchy, cloudy finish when applied to the 6000.

    Is this usual? It doesn't seem to behave this way on the bevel, where it polishes up nicely.

    I don't use a nagura. (Can't find it, for one, and Hock's book on the sharpening argued convincingly that it doesn't do much).

    I've been flattening the stone on 400 grit W&D, which most people seem to estimate is about the same as using a 1200 grit waterstone. I can't see any abrasive contamination, and the stone comes out a uniform colour, so I trust this isn't the problem.
    Cheers,

    Eddie

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Brisbane - South
    Posts
    2,395

    Default

    The stone should be dry & you add a little water with a spray bottle.
    Keep rubbing the back of the chisel/plane blade until you can hardly move it on the stone - the stone should be almost dry by now.

    Add a little more water & clean the black marks off the stone & repeat.
    Should be only a couple of repeats to achieve an uncloudy mirror
    Cheers

    Major Panic

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    484

    Default

    Yes, that's much better.

    Still cloudy rather than shiny, but in a much more uniform and "finer" way.

    Sharper too, which is the point.

    Only five more chisels and three irons to go...:
    Cheers,

    Eddie

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Aus.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    12,746

    Default

    Nothing wrong with a haze finish all other things equal.

    A mirror finish is said to be the acme but you can get one (to the naked eye) just by using a synthetic abrasive that produces even scratches that refract the light in the same way. Take a close look with a loupe and you'll see distinct scratches.
    Cheers, Ern

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Darkest NSW
    Posts
    3,197

    Default

    It doesn't make much difference to the flatness, but the main difference between a cloudy and mirror finish off a fine waterstone is the amount of water used IMHO.

    I used to apply water VERY liberally, thinking that this removed the abraded metal particles more effectively. Then one day Jim Davey showed me his technique on a fine waterstone, using hardly any water at all. Keep polishing even as the stone begins to dry out, and DON'T add more water. That grimy black film building up on the stone is what will give you the mirror finish.

    On chisel backs I can get a mirror finish more easily working across the width of the stone, working the same spot to build up the black gunk faster.

    Many stones (including ceramics) almost have different cutting properties depending on how much water is used, i.e. a finer finish with less water used.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    3,551

    Default

    The muddy bog that builds up on the stone is what gives the shine. Only add enough water to keep it wet, not wash off the stone. wash the stone off between chisels etc.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Lalla, Tasmania
    Posts
    1,349

    Default

    Well you learn something every day on this forum. Thanks for the info as I just started using jap waterstones, wish someone had said about the water before, now I know what I'm doing wrong.

    SB
    Power corrupts, absolute power means we can run a hell of alot of power tools

Similar Threads

  1. 6000 grit; where to now?
    By snafuspyramid in forum SHARPENING
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 29th August 2011, 09:36 AM
  2. Replies: 19
    Last Post: 9th January 2011, 04:09 PM
  3. Replies: 14
    Last Post: 19th April 2010, 03:17 PM
  4. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 15th June 2009, 09:12 AM
  5. Grit - Waterstone vs Wet/Dry
    By mat in forum SHARPENING
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12th March 2009, 09:37 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •