Thanks: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 14 of 14
-
10th February 2013, 11:36 AM #1GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Sep 2008
- Location
- North Carolina, USA
- Posts
- 2,327
Cheap Diamond Honing plate VS Expensive
When I ordered a spindle adapter for my lathe from PSI the minimum shipping was such that I added a diamond plate:
Diamond Impregnated Sharpening Plate at Penn State Industries
Has anyone here tried a cheap Chinese one and also a more expensive one? Any observations?
I use the plate for my accursed skews. A quick swipe or two with any of them makes a difference in clean smooth cutting.
It is called a 400 grit, but with use it is not so grainy but still hones nicely.
I have been using it dry, a woodworker friend thought they should be wetted with water.
Any thoughts about that?
Edit: I noticed at the bottom of the page some references to diamond sharpening plates. I read that and dipped into the sharpening section and got educated.
I thought turners were opinionated, nothing like those seeking the sharpening grail.So much timber, so little time.
Paul
-
10th February 2013 11:36 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Posts
- Many
-
11th February 2013, 01:16 AM #2
I've no idea what you mean by 'cheap Chinese ones' - I keep a set of 3 from Aldi in my smock back pocket, 150, 400 & 600 grit. Never worn one out yet.
The only difference I can see is expensive ones come on a thicker sub-strait (metal plate), whereas the Aldi type are quite thin metal, mounted on a plastic backing. Are they any better or worse - eh, correct me if I'm wrong here but a Diamond is a Diamond (albeit an industrial diamond).
As you say a quick wipe over and the skew edge is refreshed. As is the scraper or even a spindle gouge.
I agree they seem to work a little better when wet, so a finger dabbed on the grinder quenching pot or even a quick (sorry ladies) spit and away I go.Dragonfly
No-one suspects the dragonfly!
-
11th February 2013, 02:29 PM #3GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- McBride BC Canada
- Posts
- 3,543
The water is only the vehicle to wash away the swarf as it does with water stones, as oil does with oil stones. I can imagine that it might be useful to rinse once in a while. Try a squirt bottle.
See, the deal is that the diamond plates simply last longer = they are no better or worse than anything else. Given the hardness (duh!), the plates inherently last longer than the equivalent stones and they stay flat. The abrasive does not crush like the metallic oxides do. Now, if you need those things to float your boat, fine. I don't need those attributes.
To call the vehicles "lubricants' is bass-akwards to the entire process. We are talking abrasives here. When I need to use stones with wood carving tools, I FLOOD them with vehicle. A bit messy, but my entire goal and point is to regenerate the tool. I want a "carving sharp" edge on my tools. As such, that edge doesn't last more than 30 minutes of steady work. ... . .maybe I'm too fussy but that's what I enjoy.
-
11th February 2013, 02:42 PM #4
Two issues with diamond plates:
how flat they are
and whether the diamonds are electro-bonded to the top of the plate(inferior and cheaper) or sintered which means the diamonds are more impregnated into the substrate with pressure (and heat?), and have much greater longevity (but significantly more expensive in the short term).
Electro-bonded plates should be treated VERY carefully with low pressure applied, otherwise you'll wear them out in a week, as I did with my two DMTs (and I thought I was being gentle enough). Sintered plates are much tougher, and represent better long term value IMO.
Cheers
Brett
-
11th February 2013, 03:27 PM #5SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Location
- Nth of Newcastle
- Age
- 77
- Posts
- 811
I notice Aldi has a " special ". Four 150mm X 50mm diamond 200# to 600# on a block.
may not be sintered, but for $9.99 ........well
-
11th February 2013, 03:30 PM #6
Definitely not Phil, and could be useful (for something anyway). I'd be concerned about flatness, not the short lifespan (you get what you pay for).
-
11th February 2013, 04:17 PM #7GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
- Location
- McBride BC Canada
- Posts
- 3,543
Are those plates monocrystalline or polycrystalline diamond?
How much of a departure from optically flat will the plates need to be before anyone notices?
-
11th February 2013, 04:25 PM #8
Ah yes, another good point RV. If they don't specify then they are most likely Poly, which again is inferior and cheaper to produce, and less lasting.
-
12th February 2013, 04:21 AM #9GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Sep 2008
- Location
- North Carolina, USA
- Posts
- 2,327
Many thanks to all of the contributors above.
In another thread I saw where one could buy diamond honing paste for a most reasonable price.
When I have worn the diamond grit off my $15 plate I will get a lifetime supply of grit for less.
I, and probably most turners do not usually need a tool sharpened on a 12000 grit stone to poke into a piece of abrasive timber turning at 1400 rpm.
That fine edge will be gone in 1.37 second.So much timber, so little time.
Paul
-
12th February 2013, 08:45 AM #10
Paul, I had vindication of Diamond Paste on Saturday - we had a couple of dozen members here for a GTG, and there were a couple of comments on the sharpness of my chisels (paste honed on MDF).
-
18th February 2013, 02:10 PM #11Jim
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Location
- Victoria
- Posts
- 3,191
-
18th February 2013, 11:22 PM #12
-
19th February 2013, 10:33 PM #13Senior Member
- Join Date
- Oct 2004
- Location
- NJ, USA
- Age
- 75
- Posts
- 123
-
28th February 2013, 11:58 AM #14Hewer of wood
- Join Date
- Jan 2002
- Location
- Melbourne, Aus.
- Age
- 71
- Posts
- 12,746
Just watch out for the quality of diamond paste too. The stuff I got via ebay must've just been waved over the seller's missus' engagement ring
Cheers, Ern
Similar Threads
-
Difference between cheap gun and expensive gun
By Arron in forum FINISHINGReplies: 3Last Post: 21st September 2012, 07:58 PM -
Honing Compound Mess, HSS Blades, Diamond Plates, Chisel Blade angles
By thumbsucker in forum SHARPENINGReplies: 15Last Post: 15th February 2010, 01:33 PM -
Diamond Plate W.I.P
By powderpost in forum WOODTURNING - GENERALReplies: 17Last Post: 15th January 2010, 11:46 AM -
Diamond plate - wet or dry?
By matto1 in forum SHARPENINGReplies: 5Last Post: 15th October 2008, 08:45 AM -
Diamond Honing Lubricant
By jmk89 in forum SHARPENINGReplies: 11Last Post: 9th January 2008, 01:32 PM