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flattening stone on the cheap

G

GuyUpNorth

Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Messages
8
Event though the DMT DiaFlat looks really cool, it's price is prohibitive... Does the other flattening stones (Norton, Naniwa) are any good ? What do you use to flatten your stones ?
 
I think the cheapest solution I've heard of, is a simple concrete sidewalk or driveway. Haven't done it myself, but at least a few of the experienced sharpeners here have.
 
I just use my DMT XC plate under a stream of water from the tap. Does a fine job on my waterstones, although for stones higher than 5K I might be tempted to pick a slightly finer plate for flattening. The silicone carbide grit that Ben Dale sells for the EdgePro works fine as well, if a bit more messy. Just use it on a piece of scrap glass from your local hardware store.
 
If its just for waterstones pretty much any whetstone will work. I use the coarse side of a cheap benchstone most of the time. For hardcore flattening chores I use a tile-setter's rubbing stone available at Home Depot - it will flatten some tough stuff and only costs about 8 bucks.

Some SiC grit from a lapidary supply shop can make for very nice results quickly using a hardware store whetstone for a lapping base. I did one side of my Spyderco Fine stone to turn it into an EF using the fine side of the cheap benchstone and some 1200 grit polishing dust.
 
I agree with HH. I've used diamond stones on some of mine to a concrete sidewalk on others. They work. DM
 
Another on-the-cheap method is to just pour some sand onto a smooth, flat concrete surface like your garage floor and work it dry. It's slow, but very effective.
 
I use a coarse silicone carbide stone from the hardware store for my water stones. Seems to work fine.
 
Sheet of 120 or 220 sandpaper on anything flat. Piece of glass is ideal. works great if not severely dished. The more dished the stone the more sheets of sandpaper it will take.

Soak waterstone and use wet dry sandpaper, or just wet the sandpaper
 
lamesalegend said:
Sheet of 120 or 220 sandpaper on anything flat. Piece of glass is ideal. works great if not severely dished. The more dished the stone the more sheets of sandpaper it will take.

Soak waterstone and use wet dry sandpaper, or just wet the sandpaper
Click to expand...

Excellent solution. I've used 3M wet/dry sandpaper (with lots of water) on glass with wonderful results. When the paper becomes too worn, the loose Sic powder available from Edge-Pro can be sprinkled on the used paper and it works exceptionally well
 
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