Die Makers Stones

S

Steve Beckwith

Joined
May 29, 2004
Messages
393
After a recommendation here on the forum I bought some type "N" die makers stones from Falcon Tool. At the time they sold them by the piece and I ordered a selection of half a dozen and tried them out. Since I last placed my order with them they have changed their policy and now only sell them by the dozen. Does anyone have any experience with stones from another company that would be similar to these that are sold in smaller quantities? As usual, any response would be greatly appreciated. Thanx, Steve B
 
Congress tools has a pretty broad selection of shapes and binder hardnesses to choose from. (I'm not familiar with the N stones you mentioned.)
 
Salem Straub said:
I don't know if you know about this, but Falcon has a deal for "5 LB ASSORTED BROKEN AND IRREGULAR POLISHING STONES" for $15.
https://www.falcontool.com/Section-2/Misc.-Accessories/02Z-MSC1001

You get a sizeable bag of stones, most of them in good shape. Mine included a bunch of sizes of "N" stones as well as most of the other types. I like the "SE" ones best, myself...
Click to expand...

Thank you for posting that! I like to grind special shaped stones and a mix bag of broken ones would be preferable to grinding on new ones.
 
I looked at Congress Tool, they have many varieties to choose from. I would have to call them, possibly they can match the type N. I like type N because they are friable. Also I had no idea that Falcon had the grab bag. 5 lb. is a lot of stones. It works out to $25 with shipping. Could possibly be a lifetime supply. I tried to order from Falcon this afternoon, apparently a problem with their website site, the site loaded VERY slowly and couldn't take my CC. The MS DIRECT stones probably would work but I don't want to part with so many $$. Thanks all,
 
I also don't know what "type N" stones are. I bought my finishing stones from Gesswein: Diemaker 9 piece set (item 405-2062) for $25.95, contains 1/2 x 1/8 x 6" stones in 9 grits from 100 to 1200. Great for touching up plunges and smoothing edges of full tangs where a small wheel has left little ridges. Gesswein also sells individual stones in minimum quanities of 12. Or you can buy one of their 20 piece Polishing Stone sets, which give you 5 pieces of 4 different grits. But they won't take an order for only one stone. I can't blame them because the cost of processing a $2.00 order is more than the markup in it (unless the seller jacks up the freight charge to include "handling", which just multiplies what you pay for the item).
 
5 lbs. is a lot of stones indeed! I may have a half lifetime supply, at any rate. Way worth the $25 with shipping, as you say.
I found that the SE stones, while they load up on the surface, can be easily wire brushed clean and keep cutting. I just keep a little stainless wire brush by me when using them, and brush off the stone now and then. That way I don't have to use it with kerosene (not enjoyable.)
 
Just a follow up, I ordered the 5lb mystery box from Falcon Tool. There are more than enough marked stones on the mix to be worth the total cost of about $25 (with shipping). There are also a lot of stones of varying sizes of unmarked stones to keep me going for probably years. Thanks Salem for putting me onto this deal!
 
No problem, I was just out there today using a bunch of those assorted stones on a project- thinking I might go ahead and buy another 5# while the deal lasts! Once you get used to them, they are much nicer than sandpaper/block for detail areas and blending.
 
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