Thread: How to hone a lathe tool ?

Originally Posted by texx

well i would just like to know what mew is ..??

johno

MEW = Model Engineer's Workshop (English model engineering magazine)
ME = Model Engineer (Sister magazine to MEW, but dealing with models rather than tooling)

Michael

thank you for that .


johno

Originally Posted by morrisman

Hi

Well I bought a small arkansaw stone from a UK vendor for $15 - I thought I would give it a try . It is a fine , hard grade stone , 1" X 2" . First impression , it does the honing effectively . I have sharpened all my HSS lathe tools on it , it is easier and more effective to use than any other stone I have tried . Wish I had one of these stones earlier

Mike

Hi Mike,

Will you post a photo of your new stone and a link to the seller? Since I'm back to using HSS and Crobolt I'm honing again and my cheap Chinese stone I found at work isn't up to the task.

Thanks Ben.

Originally Posted by bwal74

Hi Mike,

Will you post a photo of your new stone and a link to the seller? Since I'm back to using HSS and Crobolt I'm honing again and my cheap Chinese stone I found at work isn't up to the task.

Thanks Ben.

Hi Ben

No problem, this is what I purchased

Arkansas Hard OIL Stone Sharpening Tools Boxed Watchmakers Clockmakers Engineers | eBay

Another likely candidate

DAN'S Whetstone Arkansas Pocket Sharpener Stone W Pouch | eBay

I had an Arkansas stone identical to the Dan's one for about 20 years, then it broke in half one day. I'll buy another from the eBay seller. Thanks for the link. Any idea what grit the white Arkansas is equivalent to?
Chris

Actually,
Anyone tried these:

http://www.carbatec.com.au/dmt-mini-whetstones_c7370

Oops, disregard. I see Pete F uses them.

Hi,

Thanks for the link.

I was also looking at these:

EZE LAP Diamond Knife Blade Tool Sharpener 5 SET NEW | eBay

About $35 Ozzie delivered. But I do like Dan's stone.

Ben

Originally Posted by jack620

I had an Arkansas stone identical to the Dan's one for about 20 years, then it broke in half one day. I'll buy another from the eBay seller. Thanks for the link. Any idea what grit the white Arkansas is equivalent to?
Chris

The stone I bought ( in the little wooden box ) is a very fine grade , as you run a finger over it, it almost feels like glass .

BTW I followed Pete's suggestion. It only takes 6 or so light strokes to get a nice edge . With the tool edge facing away from you , pull the edge inwards .

Mike

Originally Posted by jack620

...........Any idea what grit the white Arkansas is equivalent to? Chris

Novaculite is a form of microcristalline quartz only found near Hot Springs in Arkansas. It is said to be the finest grit natural stone known. According to this site, it compares to about 600-1000 grit: Hall's Pro Edge - Frequently Asked Questions

Maybe you have used "Tripoli" polishing/buffing compound? That is just powdered Novaculite: Novaculite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks Chris. Interesting that the 'grit' size of the various stones is the same. It's the density of the stone that varies.

I've ordered one of Dan's pocket Arkansas stones. Can't wait to try it. I've been missing my old stone.

Hi

What would be the favourite honing oil in use ?

Mineral oil ( AKA Johnsons baby oil ) and kero in a 50/50 mix seems to be the way ?

Mike

Diesel.

Originally Posted by morrisman

Hi

What would be the favourite honing oil in use ?

Mineral oil ( AKA Johnsons baby oil ) and kero in a 50/50 mix seems to be the way ?

Mike

I do not think it matters just for final honing a lathe tool or a milling cutter, you can use it dry. For adding a tip radius or sharpening a scalpel or the like any light mineral oil will do, I like "3in1" oil or even WD40 because of the pleasant smell. Stay away from all vegetable oils, as these polymerize and clog the stone.

But what IMO really matters a LOT is to carefully clean the stone after each use. I do this by spraying it with WD40, then with electonic cleaner/degreaser, and if necessary brush with a nail brush. All visible metal deposits/streaks have to go, or they clog the stone and become ever harder to remove. Keep it clean and it will outlast you, you will not wear it out in your lifetime.

With porous stones i was taught to soak them overnight is a warm mix of 50:50 oil and kero. This soaks the stone through. Repeat every few years....
For my larger white and black Arkansas stones i use straight kero normally. You can dress most stones with carborundum powder mixed with kero on a piece of glass.

Cheers,
Ew