Thread: flattening water stones

I've been using W&D on glass since I first flattend my stones, probably flattened them several dozen times each and I still have 6 of the 8 sheets of W&D 240 grit paper I bought specifically for the purpose.

Lately I've used a peice of thick perspex slightly bigger than my stones which had been lapped flat. It has 240 W&D spray-glued to one side and 120 on the other for flattening different stones.

I give my stones a very quick once over with the flattening block before each use. Typically I'll change both peices of W&D about once every 5 days of solid wood working (or every other month )

Dave.

The sanding mesh used for plasterboard is the go. I use it over an offcut of 12mm glass scrounged from a ... glass supplier!

Often you'll find a plain ordinary old concrete block is perfectly flat as well.

Cheers,

P

Last time I used w&d on 10mm glass. It worked quite well.

However, I also needed to flatten a cheap oilstone to sharpen kitchen knives. I tried the w&d method and it just dulled the w&d within a few strokes. I had some sand I borrowed from Maroubra beach to use in my bbq tray, so I put a small heap on the flat concrete garage floor, added a bit of water, and then used my foot to massage the stone into the sand. It formed a nice paste, and left me with a flat stone in less than a minute. Not sure if I would use this method for the waterstones as my perception is that the waterstones are much softer than the oil stones.

Carbatec also sell flattening stones for $35, but the w&d works fine.

Regards,

Tom

This is an idea that I got from Derek Cohen. Midge refers to the mesh that is on the floating glass. The stone is clamped on the right hand side for the sharpening process.
Les

DMT 10" x 4" Coarse/Extra Coarse. I am as picky about sharpening as anyone,likely more. The DMT's get my Shaptons and oilstones and NortonWS plenty flat. And on any waterstone, if you consciously use the whole surface you won't flatten as often.mt

Plasterboard sanding mesh is the go. Cheap, long lasting and fast

James

Originally Posted by yjnb

Plasterboard sanding mesh is the go.

I bought some of this too, but I was never able to find a way to hold it down flat satisfactorily. I think I might have to re-visit this idea. I like being able to hold my flattening medium and treat the stone in place before use, can anyone recommend a way to manage this? Spray adhesive just doesn't work on the mesh.

Perhaps something like the sanding blocks that this mesh is designed for?

TomH, if you're talking about the Bunnies grade Silicon Carbide (grey) stones then sand or loose Silicon Carbide grit is the best method. Indian stones can be flattened well on W&D.

I used the concrete footpath last week. The stone is probably 80 years old, it belonged to my great grandfather and would have been 5-6 mm hollow at the centre on both sides.
Took me about 30 minutes to get it down relatively flat. It is not quite as thick now on the edges that it was, but the difference that it made sharpening the kitchen knives is unbelievable.

All of the methods do work. The DMT gives the benefit of excellent range of use. I have a totally unjustified personal historical grudge against "Scary Sharp."mike

All of the methods do work. The DMT gives the benefit of excellent range of use. I have a totally unjustified personal historical grudge against "Scary Sharp."mike