QUESTION:
The temperature in my shop regularly dips below freezing in the winter. If there’s any water in my waterstones, it freezes, expands, and breaks them. Can I use oil to lubricate them instead?
Benton Landers, Minneapolis, MN
ANSWER:
According to waterstone manufacturer Norton, you shouldn’t use oil on waterstones because the oil will clog the stone’s pores. That would keep slurry from developing. Slurry is a soupy mixture of water and loose abrasive particles, and it’s what does the honing.
Your best bet during the winter is to keep your waterstones in a heated area. Or you could just switch to another sharpening method.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Honing Compound
This honing compound is great for loading into a buffing wheel and polishing an assortment of metals.
Norton Water Stones
This kit includes everything you need to sharpen all of your blades, with water stones in four grits and a separate stone to keep them flat.
Rockler Silicone Sharpening Stone Tray
At 6 in. wide, with plenty of length for standard waterstones, they have grippy dimples that keep the stones stable and level, plus wide channels all around to catch the water. They also lock together, side by side, so I can have all of my stones available at the same time.
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