Cleaning oil stones...

x39 · Apr 5, 2003

I recently bought a carborundum stone at a used tool sale. It was really loaded up bad, and needed a good cleaning. I usually use a stiff nylon brush and kerosene, but while looking for my jar of kerosene I came across an aerosol can of automotive brake cleaner and thought I'd give it a try. The solvent seems to be under higher pressure than the average aerosol, and holy cow did it work good! A few passes over the stone and it looked like new. I seem to remember this topic being discussed here a while ago, I hope this can be of help to someone.

King Grinch · Apr 6, 2003

I think you can just boil the stone to remove the oil.

x39 · Apr 6, 2003

King Grinch- didn't you used to post over at ak-47.net? Don't think I've seen you around for a while, how ya doin'?

TomW · Apr 11, 2003

A while back I tried sharpening dry and have a box of stones set aside just for that purpose. Automative brake or carb cleaner has always worked well for me. So has dry sharpening.

Tohatchi NM · Apr 11, 2003

I've wondered about this too.

Could you use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) or sulfuric acid to dissolve the metal?

I don't think it should hurt ceramic/carborundum/alumina, assuming that the particles in the stone are fused together with no glues or binders. The problems I see are dissolving any sort of glue or binder, creating trapped gas that would cause the stone to explode, or releasing lots of heat that would cause the stone to crack.

*I've never tried this, so proceed with caution!"

King Grinch · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by x39
King Grinch- didn't you used to post over at ak-47.net? Don't think I've seen you around for a while, how ya doin'?

I am fine!

Cliff Stamp · Apr 15, 2003

The man made stones are not solid abrasives they have binders holding the AO or SiC particles together. If the stone is really soaked in oil the one way to completely dry it is to burn the oil out. Alvin Johnson described this on rec.knives awhile ago.

-Cliff

x39 · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by King Grinch
I am fine!

Glad to hear it, see ya around!

Matt Shade · Apr 15, 2003

Generally, I just hit the surface of the stone pretty good with some 100-150 grit sandpaper. Cleans it up and keeps it flat. Only have to do this about once a year on the stones I normaly sharpen with, just have to be careful about wiping them down/rinsing them off after you use them.
And don't be skimpy with the honing oil, keep the surface good and wet so the filings float off the surface of the stone instead of getting down into the pores.