abrasive particles vs bonded stone.

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Oct 2, 2011
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hello everyone,

So I'm looking to get a Waterstone kit and it occurs to me that Silicon Carbide is dollars a pound, which means people are paying for the convenience of the bonded stone. The top of the heap seems to to be the Naniwa Chosera stones, with a high premium added for responsive bonding formulations which closely mimic Japanese natural stones. I want some. I want some ceramic Shaptons too, but since I'm essentially a raw materials artist I'm now thinking bags of dirt. Good dirt though. Diamond powders and SC particles, AO and whatever, especially anything unusual; the same stuff the best stones are made of. Non-bonded I can have a full cart of top dog abrasive particles for the price of two great synthetic stones. I work small-scale with non-powered hand-tools on O-1 and .999Silver mostly, intending an elegant but primitive look. The extra work and mess doesn't worry me cause all I do is one-offs. I'm thinking to get a full kit of diamond and SC, and devise various methods and tools to deliver the particles loaded on built to need tools. I'll buy a 1,000 Chosera just to encourage the innovation, but I'll spend the money saved on synthetics on quality natural finishing stones, Japanese or otherwise. Anybody have any experience with this sort of thing? I mean beyond the lapping plate? What would be the most ideal loading surfaces? I'm thinking a stone chosen just for feel would make a great bed. Since I'm constantly loading particles it doesn't have to be the most expensive. Epoxy emulsion loaded with diamonds...why not? I don't care if it goes quick. recapture the waste and burn clean and reuse...

(( Please repost in the proper section ))

Thanks,

Jim Shepard
 
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I should add that I've been reading up on the subject from a technical and historical perspective, there are a lot of turn of the century manuals out there for free.
These masterworks of knowledge tend to serve those working in the glory days of the industrial revolution, not so much the one man shop on an island.
Questions of suppliers and incorporation of modern materials are ongoing.
I've made a batch of shellac, I'm gonna experiment with some SC grit from my lapping kit, paper, leather, etc.
and the Nagura slurry principle is going to be very important to final patina, I think.

Jim
 
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