Thread: Flatten an oilstone?

I think I remember when this was discussed once before was that the way to go was to use another oil stone to flatten it.

I think it would be fair to say though that most of the people on this board use water stones.

Have a look in the Polls forum. There is a thread in there called "how do you sharpen your tools" or something like that.

Craig

rhook,

As Craig suggested do a search.

Are you sure they are oil stones? There are quite a few different types of stones which might all be classified as oil stones to anyone not 100% familiar with stones. I am not an expert but the colour and construction of them will assist in identifying them.

The previous polls discussed how to do flatten them but it is a long and hard task if they are oil stones and quite worn. It is easier to buy new stones and try to wear them evenly and give them regular flattening maintenance.

Don't throw them away though as they obviously have a link to your family's history.

- Wood Borer

Originally Posted by rhook

I have an old oilstone that was my dad's. It may have been his dad's. Anyway, the problem is that it is badly dished, to the extent that it can no longer really be used for sharpening.

Is there a simple way to flatten the stone again, or should I just preserve it as a keepsake and go the scary-sharp route?

Absent anything better, a concrete "Besser" brick will do the trick. Just make sure that it doesn't have any lumps.

I was in the exact same predicament myself earlier in the year. This is what I did.

Take your dished stone and carefully sit it on a flat surface. Then buy a new stone, and use it to sharpern your tools.

I have a similar issue.

one my fathers old oil stones which is great but it needs flatening.
I had a good go at it a couple of years ago with some course sand paper on the top of the saw bench.
went thru quite a lot of sand paper & got to the point where progress was slow. most of the dish has been removed but it doesn't cut as agressively as it used to.
I have recently purchased some abrasive gritt & intend having a go at it on a piece of glass with some oil In the hope of getting a result. Ive had some other hairbrained ideas too but I see how it goes.

I just recentlt baught a norton black & tan stone. it was not dear but & suspect it is not as flat as some of the top shelf stuff and even the fine side is a little coarse for my liking

a teacher I know says flattening oil stones what he used to give as a detention exercise. So , its probably a slow process but achievable.

cheers

Robert,
MAAAAATE!!!!

Where did you get that Avatar :confused:

Reminds me of one of the Bosses,
trying to work out what I'm up to :eek:

I can't get away from him here either :mad: :mad:

Ivan in Oz

Thanks for all the feedback on that. It sounds like the consensus is that it can be done, but it's an awful lot of effort. I might just put the stone aside as a keepsake, and go down the scary-sharp route. The main things I want to keep scarily sharp are the plane blades and chisels, and the ss thing sounds like it works very well for that.

Cheers.

Find yourself a grinding wheel and go outside and with the garden hose running face it on the wheel. With a coarse gringing wheel and the water running it does not take long to face your oilstone.

Originally Posted by Wood Borer

rhook,

As Craig suggested do a search.


The previous polls discussed how to do flatten them but it is a long and hard task if they are oil stones and quite worn. It is easier to buy new stones and try to wear them evenly and give them regular flattening maintenance.


- Wood Borer

WB I'm still rubbing

Gee, you would have to be careful not to electocute yourself with the water around the electrics of the grinder.

- Wood Borer

Originally Posted by vsquizz

WB I'm still rubbing

The reason you are still rubbing is because your eyes have been irritated by all the sand over there in WA. I suggest you flush them out with a saline solution and resist the temptation to rub. Excessive rubbing could make you go blind

I tried to flatten an old hollowed oilstone before I "discovered" water stones. I managed to knock some higher spots off but I gave up after an hour or so and bought a new nice flat one.

- Wood Borer

My carb stones are nearly flat now after ...lots of hours of rubbing together. Only a coupla millimetres to go...should be done by christmas.

The sand is an abrasive extra in the rubbing process. Just means you have to wear the Triton face shield when the wind is blowing.

Originally Posted by Ivan in Oz

Robert,
MAAAAATE!!!!

Where did you get that Avatar :confused:

Reminds me of one of the Bosses,
trying to work out what I'm up to :eek:

I can't get away from him here either :mad: :mad:

Ivan in Oz

It is just a picture I picked up along the way. You can convert any picture to an avatar.
Rob

Gee, you would have to be careful not to electocute yourself with the water around the electrics of the grinder.

- Wood Borer



Suggest you leave the grinder in the shed unless you want to sit on it.