It seems like a while ago I recall seeing an article in a in a mag suggesting that Bar Keepers Friend could be used as a final polish on a cutting edge rather than a diamond paste. Since you can get about a case of BKF for the cost of a few grams of diamond paste it would seem like a good way to go — if it works.
Has anyone tried this? Or any other low cost methods to get an edge better than you can get with sandpaper?
Replies
Kzoo,
OK. What is Bar Keepers Friend?
Rich
Never mind, found it on Google.
Edited 1/10/2007 11:32 am ET by Rich14
Bar Keeper's Friend is a cleanser intended to get rid of rust stains in sinks and tubs. It has oxalic acid in it (also in rhubarb and spinach). It also has pumice, but using it on cutting tools might etch them too much if you didn't wipe it off thoroughly.
The easiest and best way to get that final polish on an edge is with a leather strop charged with some fine polishing paste. I use Maas, Mothers or Simichrome metal polish, they contain jewelers rouge or Tripoli. Diamond paste is an intermediate step. You can go from a 1200 stone to the leather and get a mirror finish, if you want one. Although they are not inexpensive, diamond stones are very nice. They don't hollow out, last a lifetime, lubricate with water, cut quickly and don't break if you drop them. For straight edges like plane blades and chisels, I use a honing guide. This helps keep you from rounding the edge on the leather. Just like grandpa's straight razor, leather is the way to go.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Pumice will work.That is basically what household cleansers are. I have used valve grinding compound on a glass plate. Reasonable priced at auto supply stores. Anyone old enough to remember doing a valve job on an engine head and doing the final lapping by hand? Speaking or writing of nothing being new My Grandfather was a carpenter and I remember back in the 30s seeing him sharpen his plane irons and chisels on a piece of granite using valve grinding compound. He got the granite from a local mounument Co. known locally as "The Tombstone Factory"
I restore vintage motorcycles, so I've got valve lapping compound and the tools. Messy stuff, four valve twins are plenty for me.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
And if it don't fit , get a bigger hammer
When I was a junior in high school, 1963, I worked part time at the local garage, primarily pumping gas. I slowly graduated to changing tires, lube & oil, taking things apart for the boss, etc.
One of my first major projects was to grind the valves and lap the seats, by hand! The lapping gizmatchee had honing stones mounted on springs and was turned via a hand crank. First apply honing paste, not too much, and lap the valve seats.
To answer your question, YUP!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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