Edge pro question

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basjoo

Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
118
I've been using an edge pro apex for a couple of months now and it seems to me the 180 grit stone is really losing its' cutting ability. Initially it really hogged off the steel but now it's acting like an oil stone that's gotten loaded up. I've tried flattening with the supplied sand and a medium drywall sanding screen and managed to get the surface fairly white again but it still doesn't seem to cut well. Any ideas what I might be doing wrong? Thanx
 
Those 180's really chew off metal,but remember they are at there optimum when they are new,get them as flat as you can.I've resufaced mine with the sand on a cinder block twice and they seem to work fine.I can see the day when I might need to get a new stone but I think I am for the most part mostly done with the 180.Removed enough steel and am on to finer things evenyually the 3000 polishing and there's a 4000 available.Get them flat.Leatherbird. :)
 
I've changed all my stones out with the diamond equivalents... I'm much happier now, except for the fact that my Edge Pro's "suction cup" has gone south! :( . A small C clamp seems to cure all ills, but wish it wasn't so in the first place.
 
Leatherbird, Nope, was actually wondering if I was using too much water. I really haven't used the 180 enough to dish it out but was wondering if I needed to bring a clean surface up for maximum effect. The surface of the stone gets pretty dark grey with use and I managed to get it fairly white by resurfacing. Maybe if I need to hog off a lot of metal I should go with a belt sander or MFs diamond suggestion. Do the diamond equivalants come in coarse, medium, fine etc. Which would you recommend to really remove some steel? Thanks for all your replies.
 
basjoo,If you need anything call or Email Ben Dale or Lyle Bronckhurst at EdgePro and they'll have your answer,pronto.
 
basjoo said:
...if I needed to bring a clean surface up for maximum effect.
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Yes, if it is discolored enough to visually change color then the cutting ability will have degraded.

-Cliff
 
I just bought an Edge Pro Apex and it came with 120, 180, 320 and 600 grit stones. You might want to buy the 120 grit stone and see how that works for you. Let us know how things work out. :)

Starchaser
 
All I hear on this forum is "buy this, buy that"! :) I've got over $200 in sharpening equipment and I feel I'm just getting started!!
 
You can try soaking the 180 stone in water for a few hours before use. I find if I lap my stone with the 90 grit carbide stuff from Leevalley on a piece of plate glass it greatly restores the cutting ability of the stones.
 
Thanks Wade, I'll give the soak a try. Heard the carbide lapping compound was good stuff to use. Have you tried wet/dry sandpaper of the same grit for lapping? Is it ok to lap the stones if they are still damp or should you wait till their dry? Thanks for the input.
 
basjoo said:
All I hear on this forum is "buy this, buy that"! :) I've got over $200 in sharpening equipment and I feel I'm just getting started!!
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There's a $ 500 Tormek out there somewhere with your name on it.
 
basjoo said:
Thanks Wade, I'll give the soak a try. Heard the carbide lapping compound was good stuff to use. Have you tried wet/dry sandpaper of the same grit for lapping? Is it ok to lap the stones if they are still damp or should you wait till their dry? Thanks for the input.
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Haven't tried the wet/dry paper. It would probably work, but it might break down fast and clog up. I would do this wet. With the silicon carbide (or whatever) grit you poor it onto a flat piece of plate glass, add water, and move the stone aroudn in a figure 8 pattern. It makes a lot of noise, but works quickly. This is something that should be done regularly to reduce the amount of time it will take to flatten the stone. The coarser stones will wear faster than the finer ones and they need to be done more often and watched closely for signs of dishing. Just check 'em with a metal straight edge. The carbide grit was pretty cheap so I just orderd a bunch of it and I should be set for life. :)
 
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