Tool sharpening recomendations

[Bassbear81]

Thinking of getting this

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp? ... =1&jump=48

I was thinking of getting a diamond stone but got given an oil stone for Xmas.

Should I take it back or stick with. Any views on both items would appreciated

Cheers

 

[wizer]

the vertitas mk.2 is probably a better buy

what type of oil stone have you got?

 

[Bassbear81]

It was from axminster, I cant see it on the website, but its in a red plastic case. Think it was about £10.

 

[Bassbear81]

Is the MK II that much better? As its an extra £17

 

[wizer]

Yes i believe it is. Although very soon someone will come along and tell you you can use a sub £10 eclipse holder just as well.

do a search on the mkII

 

[Bassbear81]

What about oil stones and diamond stones?

 

[OPJ]

I would also highly recommend the Veritas MkII honing guide. Haven't personally used the one you've linked to so, I can't really comment.

I do like oil stones and I think the Norton ones are good quality. They're certainly not as hard-wearing as Diamond stones but, as oil stones are relatively cheap, you can use them to practice on until you get the hang of sharpening, at which point you could then upgrade.

Ideally, you'll want various grits, anyway. Always try to use the whole surface of the stone.

 

[DaveL]

What about oil stones and diamond stones?

Well a diamond stone should cut faster than an oil stone and a good one will be flat and stay flat.
Oil stones do work and I used them for many years but have now changed to a wet grinder and ceramic stones for the final finish. I have a diamond stone that I use if only a small amount of sharpening is needed, don't have to mess about filling the water trough and then cleaning up afterwards. :roll:

 

[wizer]

I recently changed from waterstones to diamond stones and I am so glad I did. Once I get a permemant place for them to live it will be so easy to quickly sharpen the tool I am working with and get on with the job rather than cleaning up the muck and gunk from waterstones.

With regards to oilstones. It depends what brand you have. If it's a regular chippies oilstone from somewhere like scrrewfix, then don't bother They might help a bit but generally you might aswell sharpen tour tools on the pavement.