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.
Wen Diamond Grinding Wheel
Diamond grinding wheel is perfect for flattening grinding wheels before honing chisels and plane blades
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