EDM Stones

stereo.pete

stereo.pete

Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
600
Well, I ordered a set of EDM stones after I saw a few members here used them. I love the idea of them, but I had a few questions.

1. Do I need to flatten then before each use as I would with my whet stones?
2. What lubricant do you suggest using with them?

Thanks,

Pete
 
Ironically, I just received my orange EDM stones today Pete. Never used them before, but I thought I'd try some out to see if they were of any use for my hand finishes. Picked mine up from moldshoptools. I haven't thought much about dressing them flat. I reckon a low grit diamond stone would take care of that. They're cheap enough that if they have decent life to them with regards to wear, I'll probably just replace them with new ones. From what I've read they don't wear too fast though and are very hard. As for lubricant, the place I ordered from suggested odorless mineral spirits. Let me know how you get along with them. I'm just finishing up what is likely my last knife for the year, so I probably won't get to try them until after the new year.
 
I believe they are to be used a bit like abrasive pencils, so I just use a bit of sandpaper to initially grind a 45deg chamfer on one end. It stands to reason that skinny little sticks are not intended to be used for flattening the way large flat stones could be. They can be used to locally remove high spots or scratches and blend into the rest of the blade.

Like this but without the power vibration...
[video=youtube_share;LZ8cXpjbSWY]http://youtu.be/LZ8cXpjbSWY[/video]

I guess mineral spirit would work. I have used water on mine and it was a lot better than dry. Without a good deal of lubricant they clog quite fast.
 
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Like with all the stones i use, i prefer water...if you use oil there is no turning back to water.
Flattening is mandatory every now and then, and use it anyway you prefer, Claycomb gave a good tip, you can shape them depending on purpose.
If you already use whetstones you already know they are faster then sandpaper but require dressing

Stefano
 
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