Replies

1. 
   Troy | Dec 23, 2005 08:24am | #1

   You can use sand paper on glass or a piece of granite. I have used fairly course grit. I have also had good luck with course dry wall sanding screens on the same glass.

   Troy

1. 
   Toolfreak | Dec 23, 2005 08:35am | #2

   Troy,

   How coarse are you using and do you use the same grit for both sides?

   Mike- Toolfreak

1. 
   Troy | Dec 24, 2005 04:26am | #5

   I usually use 120 grit or 80 grit. I don't think it really matters that much. Give it a try I don't think you will hurt the stones. Be sure to ease the edges after you flatten the stones so they don't chip.Troy

2. 
   kesac | Dec 23, 2005 09:57am | #3

   You can use just about whatever grit wet/dry works for you.  Play with it a bit. you can also flatten them against your diamond plate too.

   I don't use water stones for thin blades like 1/8" chisels, just so they won't get dished too quick.

1. 
   DonStephan | Dec 24, 2005 03:10am | #4

   I was using 220 wet/dry based on an article, and then watched Frank Klaus' sharpening video. He pointed out, quite correctly, that waterstone are SIGNIFICANTLY easier and faster to flatten when dry rather than when wet. 120 grit for 800 and 1200 waterstone, 220 grit for 4000 grit waterstone. There was mention I think in new product section of recent FWW on grooved flattening stone made by Norton that was about $25, but haven't seen it anywhere else yet.

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 25, 2005 08:31am | #8

   If you go to http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com, you will find the $25 ceramic flattening stone for sale, as well as a lot of other great woodworking stuff.

   Merry Christmas,

   Jeff

3. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 24, 2005 06:52am | #6

   I flatten the water and ceramic stones at school, in the morning when they are nice and dry, using a coarse diamond plate held perpendicular to the stone being flattened; only takes a minute per stone.

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

4. 
   Troy | Dec 24, 2005 11:23pm | #7

   You can also buy a flattening stone just for that purpose I think Norton makes one. In the long run that might be cheeper than sand paper.

   Merry X-mas

   Troy

5. 
   ChrisB | Dec 26, 2005 12:34am | #9

   I flatten my waterstones before EVERY use. Since my stones reside underwater in a Tupperware container, I flatten them wet. I usually use 180 grit wet-dry paper , but anything between 120 and 220 will work OK. 80 grit strikes me as a bit too coarse. I put the paper on a piece of 3/8" glass I got for five bucks.

   Take a #2 pencil and draw two vertical lines along the length of the stone, dividing the stone into thirds. Draw four horizontal lines across the width dividing the stone into sixths. Flatten until all the pencil lines are gone.

   I tend to sharpen two or three plane blades at a time. If I'm just  putting on a new micro-bevel, the stones will reach flat in about ten seconds of flattening. If I am reestablishing the main bevel, it might take thirty seconds of flattening.

   Having said all that, I must admit I am a bit intrigued by the Norton flattening stone discussed above. Andy Engel reviewed the thing in the current annual issue of Tools and Shops. Andy said it takes him an hour to flatten his stones on sandpaper. He is waiting waaaaaay to long between flattening sessions.

   Chris

   Wait a second. Four horizontal lines divides the stone into fifths, not sixths. My bad.

    

   
   

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   Edited 12/25/2005 5:53 pm ET by ChrisB