EP stones smooth already

[deruitem]

I have had the system for a few weeks now. Most of the stones seem way smoother than they used to be. Will the stone leveling kit bring them back to original roughness? Any other suggestions? Thanks

 

[singularity35]

Water stones do need to be lapped to freshen them. The leveling kit can do that or you can just try to lap the stones on a cinder block or on a concrete pavement. If you can get some silicon carbide(80-100 grit) from a hardware store you can use that on a piece of glass to lap your stones.

 

[deruitem]

thanks for the reply, 30 seems like a lot for a bag of sic and a peace of glass. I guess I just found a use for the old glass cutting board i took away from my mother. no wonder he knives were not lasting long!

 

[singularity35]

thanks for the reply, 30 seems like a lot for a bag of sic and a peace of glass. I guess I just found a use for the old glass cutting board i took away from my mother. no wonder he knives were not lasting long!

an 8 ounce bag of SiC costs three bucks. Just find a piece of glass. Or you can get trimmings from a glass and aluminum supply store. Or that cutting board of your mom's.

 

[deruitem]

Sounds like a plan, how much Sic do you use each time?

 

[singularity35]

Sounds like a plan, how much Sic do you use each time?

Just a pinch,or lets say just the tipmost 1/4 inch of a regular screwdriver. A little goes a long way. Lap the lower grit stones first.

 

[Medic1210]

EP has a video on the process on their website. Basically he just takes a pinch of SiC and sprinkles it on the glass with some water. Then you lay the stone down and rub it in a circular motion for a minute, then flip the stone around (so the side your left hand was holding, is now held by your right hand) to even the pressure. You do this process until the color of your stone is even across the surface.

 

[bjt3833]

I have had the system for a few weeks now. Most of the stones seem way smoother than they used to be. Will the stone leveling kit bring them back to original roughness? Any other suggestions? Thanks

The obvious question is have you cleaned them? Otherwise they may loaded with metal. If they are clean that's as far as my suggestions go.

 

[deruitem]

If by cleaning the EP stone you mean washing them out with a little soap and water and a tooth brush yes I have done that a few times

 

[singularity35]

Merely cleaning glazed waterstones don't work. You have to get the top layer off by lapping them so the abrasives can break down properly. Ceramics can be scrubbed to clean them and will work well when clean of metal particles.