The instructions that came with my lansky diamond set recommended using the stones dry without oil but they send oil in the kit. I have read some technique threads that recommended using the oil to prolong the life of the stones. Any thoughts one way or the other? Pros vs cons. I have been using them dry and getting acceptable results just wondering could my stones benefit by using the oil or would I do more harm than good
Hi,
The key to prolonging life of the diamonds is using light light light light light light force
think like brushing your teeth with a toothbrush
press just hard enough for the diamonds to start cutting
because if you press too hard you run the risk of damage
you can feel the difference easily on wider edge bevels (~4mm and up)
when you're gong too light the blade just kind of skates/skips/slides on the stones you're rubbing it on ice/glass
but when you press hard enough (which is a bit harder for wider bevels) instead of skating accross easily the stones "grab" the blade and you can feel the drag
on narrower edge bevels , and especially on the belly/tip area of blades, go even lighter
you can put a number on it if you use a food scale, put the stone on the scale, put the knife on the stone, and push just hard enough to cut ...
If you
use lube (water) and keep the force under 1/2 lb (or 226.8 grams ) diamonds should last "forever"
Using the same force with a nail , a point, like stab knife into stone, will damage the diamond plate (rip out diamonds) --
dont stab your stones man!
Yes lube always helps extend the life of abrasives, but diamonds are very very very very very slow wearing (after initial breakin period), the real key with diamond plates is dont dislodge diamonds dats damage
The real reason for wet grinding with diamonds is to keep metallic dust out of the air which is bad for your lungs.
Ever put your tongue on a
"copper" penny or other coin? Do some dry grinding with a diamond to where its very dusty, then smell the dusty diamonds, you'll taste the same metallic terrible taste ... thats bad for your lungs (like smoking). If dry grinding do it outside.
Now regarding lube, be it water or oil or ...
if you're removing a lot of metal,
so much metal that you can see the dust against the shiny diamond plate,
adding small amount of lube like its typical with oilstones is going to create SLUDGE/mud
from the swarf, where as if you kept it dry , you could just keep grinding and grinding
but solution to sludge is simple
just add more lube (wash) and maybe scrub with toothbrush (needs a "sink" or "tub")
or wipe diamonds down with damp rag (its quick and "dry" and doesn't splash)
after you're done ,
if you used water as lube ,
dry the diamond plates on a dry towel
to prolong the life (rust)
if you used oil just wipe with it down so its not drippy
you can buy water based lubricating solutions
but all they are is
thickener (agar/xanathan ... jello ... bacteria food),
some antifungal (borax? ...),
some bubbles (soap...),
and corrosion/rust inhibitors ( tiny amount of baking soda and antacid ...)
