Waterstone sharpening station

[nosuchhounds]

Does anyone use a sharpening station for waterstones? Ive seen the Paul Sellars version from diamond but would like to have a go at something for water. My space is small so something all in one, obviously stones need soaking so that would be something to consider in the design

 

[D_W]

A lot of videos show something you can carry around. I think if you're going to do much work by hand ,you need to have something far enough away from the bench that you won't hit it but close enough that you won't avoid stepping over to it, and the stones need to be out all the time. It needs to have some mass, so if I suggested anything, rather than a dedicated sharpening station only, I would suggested making or finding (I just use a heavy older crude machinist bench) something relatively heavy and crude that also has storage under it. That way, it will do well as a sharpening station and whatever you store under it (away from dust) will also be stored, and will serve as ballast. If you need to soak stones, you can keep a bucket of water or a container to soak them in, as well as rinse them (rather than running water over them - that takes a lot more time).

 

[Ttrees]

Not that I'm used to waterstones, but Frank's box looks pretty impressive, although I'd want a fail safe for my needs.
Just posting for fun really.

 

[MikeK]

Does anyone use a sharpening station for waterstones? Ive seen the Paul Sellars version from diamond but would like to have a go at something for water. My space is small so something all in one, obviously stones need soaking so that would be something to consider in the design

Here are photos of my sharpening station, which uses the Tormek T8 and various waterstones. I built this station in the basement laundry room so I could have a sink with hot and cold running water, as well as a dedicated sharpening system. It is separate from the main shop areas. Originally, I was going to use the Belfast sink I purchased and shipped from the Birmingham B&Q at great expense, but it would take up too much space in the cabinet and not leave enough room for the water heater and pump. I'll likely use the Belfast sink when I redo my kitchen.

The right cabinet under the sink is where the water heater and lift pump are installed. The basement is below grade and the sewage drain is about one meter above the basement floor, so I needed a pump to get rid of the water. The vertical gray pipe is the drain from the pump and the white pipe next to it is the cold water feed that I spliced into the washer connection.

The Tormek T8 is stored in the middle section on a slide-out tray and is placed on a support that fits in the second drawer in the middle section. This drawer uses heavy duty full extension slides that can handle 45KG each. The other full extension drawer slides are rated at 25KG each. The 800 and 1200 grit waterstones are kept partially submerged on edge in the gray box. The blue Dychem mat is a non-slip mat that holds the waterstone in place while I abuse the chisels and plane irons. I keep the 6,000 and 10,000 grit waterstones in the top drawer of the middle section and spritz them with water from the green bottle when I am using them. The DMT diamond flattening stone is standing on end leaning against the wall.

The six drawers in the left section are for the Tormek jigs and accessories.

Here is a photo of the gray box showing the 800 and 1200 waterstones.

Here is a photo of the gray box without the waterstones. I hot glued three sections of 20mm PVC pipe to the bottom of the box to provide support for the stones and keep them off of the bottom. The pipe sections are intentionally shorter than the width of the box so the water can circulate. This also makes it easy to flush the box when needed.

Here is a photo of the 800 grit waterstone on the Dychem mat. In normal use, the stone does not move as I sharpen the chisels or plane irons with the honing jig.

 

[nosuchhounds]

Not that I'm used to waterstones, but Frank's box looks pretty impressive, although I'd want a fail safe for my needs.
Just posting for fun really.

I watched this the other day. Great idea

 

[AJB Temple]

My advice is avoid soaker stones. They are messy. I have pretty much switched entirely to splash and go (Naniwa) in my case. Then I just use a cheap spray mister bottle to wet the stones during use and quickly rinse them off at the end.

I put the stones on a damp blue catering cloth (disposable) and also wipe the knives on this when I switch grits. I always strop at the end. I haev proper stops, but what I actually use is an old leather belt impregnated with autosol.

Splash and go stones dry in a few minutes after use and go in a drawer immediately beneath where I use them. I have 320, 400, 2000, 6000, 8000, 12000, 20000, flattener and a few specialist bits. Overkill by miles for tools but I have pots of Japanese knives. Similar set up in kitchen and workshop. Very rarely day to day do I use other than a 6000 grit stone (polish/hone) as I don't let edges get dull. Hence I want set up and clean up to be quick.

Used to have a Tormek. Found it slow. Now have a Sorby, which is better. But frankly I still prefer hand sharpening on the Naniwas.

Have had the full Japanese water bath and stands set up in the past. Too fussy so I simplified.

 

[D_W]

Curious, which naniwa? Superstone or Chosera? I'm guessing superstone by the numbers.

The choseras work better with a short soak, but they are (if I recall) not supposed to be soaked for long, which made them kind of a pain. They are like silk when soaked, but you have to plan ahead and then not forget.

It's hard to give up the control and speed that you can gain hand sharpening something like a knife.

 

[Bingy man]

Here are photos of my sharpening station, which uses the Tormek T8 and various waterstones. I built this station in the basement laundry room so I could have a sink with hot and cold running water, as well as a dedicated sharpening system. It is separate from the main shop areas. Originally, I was going to use the Belfast sink I purchased and shipped from the Birmingham B&Q at great expense, but it would take up too much space in the cabinet and not leave enough room for the water heater and pump. I'll likely use the Belfast sink when I redo my kitchen.

The right cabinet under the sink is where the water heater and lift pump are installed. The basement is below grade and the sewage drain is about one meter above the basement floor, so I needed a pump to get rid of the water. The vertical gray pipe is the drain from the pump and the white pipe next to it is the cold water feed that I spliced into the washer connection.

The Tormek T8 is stored in the middle section on a slide-out tray and is placed on a support that fits in the second drawer in the middle section. This drawer uses heavy duty full extension slides that can handle 45KG each. The other full extension drawer slides are rated at 25KG each. The 800 and 1200 grit waterstones are kept partially submerged on edge in the gray box. The blue Dychem mat is a non-slip mat that holds the waterstone in place while I abuse the chisels and plane irons. I keep the 6,000 and 10,000 grit waterstones in the top drawer of the middle section and spritz them with water from the green bottle when I am using them. The DMT diamond flattening stone is standing on end leaning against the wall.

The six drawers in the left section are for the Tormek jigs and accessories.


View attachment 143162

Here is a photo of the gray box showing the 800 and 1200 waterstones.

View attachment 143163

Here is a photo of the gray box without the waterstones. I hot glued three sections of 20mm PVC pipe to the bottom of the box to provide support for the stones and keep them off of the bottom. The pipe sections are intentionally shorter than the width of the box so the water can circulate. This also makes it easy to flush the box when needed.

View attachment 143164


Here is a photo of the 800 grit waterstone on the Dychem mat. In normal use, the stone does not move as I sharpen the chisels or plane irons with the honing jig.

View attachment 143165

Even though I don’t use water stones that’s seriously impressive- and cleaner than my doctors surgery.

 

[mikej460]

Here are photos of my sharpening station, which uses the Tormek T8 and various waterstones. I built this station in the basement laundry room so I could have a sink with hot and cold running water, as well as a dedicated sharpening system. It is separate from the main shop areas. Originally, I was going to use the Belfast sink I purchased and shipped from the Birmingham B&Q at great expense, but it would take up too much space in the cabinet and not leave enough room for the water heater and pump. I'll likely use the Belfast sink when I redo my kitchen.

The right cabinet under the sink is where the water heater and lift pump are installed. The basement is below grade and the sewage drain is about one meter above the basement floor, so I needed a pump to get rid of the water. The vertical gray pipe is the drain from the pump and the white pipe next to it is the cold water feed that I spliced into the washer connection.

The Tormek T8 is stored in the middle section on a slide-out tray and is placed on a support that fits in the second drawer in the middle section. This drawer uses heavy duty full extension slides that can handle 45KG each. The other full extension drawer slides are rated at 25KG each. The 800 and 1200 grit waterstones are kept partially submerged on edge in the gray box. The blue Dychem mat is a non-slip mat that holds the waterstone in place while I abuse the chisels and plane irons. I keep the 6,000 and 10,000 grit waterstones in the top drawer of the middle section and spritz them with water from the green bottle when I am using them. The DMT diamond flattening stone is standing on end leaning against the wall.

The six drawers in the left section are for the Tormek jigs and accessories.


View attachment 143162

Of equal interest is the black cabinet to the right.....although I doubt its contents help you to stay sharp..

 

[MikeK]

Of equal interest is the black cabinet to the right.....although I doubt its contents help you to stay sharp..

It's one of three in that room. Two hold over 200 bottles each and the third holds 66 bottles. I have other hobbies.

 

[mikej460]

It's one of three in that room. Two hold over 200 bottles each and the third holds 66 bottles. I have other hobbies.

As hobbies go it's a corker...

 

[MARK.B.]

Of equal interest is the black cabinet to the right.....although I doubt its contents help you to stay sharp..

It's one of three in that room. Two hold over 200 bottles each and the third holds 66 bottles. I have other hobbies.

That my friend is not a hobby ,that is a full time job. Now please tell me where to send my CV

 

[Suffolk Brian]

Here are photos of my sharpening station, which uses the Tormek T8 and various waterstones. I built this station in the basement laundry room so I could have a sink with hot and cold running water, as well as a dedicated sharpening system. It is separate from the main shop areas. Originally, I was going to use the Belfast sink I purchased and shipped from the Birmingham B&Q at great expense, but it would take up too much space in the cabinet and not leave enough room for the water heater and pump. I'll likely use the Belfast sink when I redo my kitchen.

The right cabinet under the sink is where the water heater and lift pump are installed. The basement is below grade and the sewage drain is about one meter above the basement floor, so I needed a pump to get rid of the water. The vertical gray pipe is the drain from the pump and the white pipe next to it is the cold water feed that I spliced into the washer connection.

The Tormek T8 is stored in the middle section on a slide-out tray and is placed on a support that fits in the second drawer in the middle section. This drawer uses heavy duty full extension slides that can handle 45KG each. The other full extension drawer slides are rated at 25KG each. The 800 and 1200 grit waterstones are kept partially submerged on edge in the gray box. The blue Dychem mat is a non-slip mat that holds the waterstone in place while I abuse the chisels and plane irons. I keep the 6,000 and 10,000 grit waterstones in the top drawer of the middle section and spritz them with water from the green bottle when I am using them. The DMT diamond flattening stone is standing on end leaning against the wall.

The six drawers in the left section are for the Tormek jigs and accessories.


View attachment 143162

Here is a photo of the gray box showing the 800 and 1200 waterstones.

View attachment 143163

Here is a photo of the gray box without the waterstones. I hot glued three sections of 20mm PVC pipe to the bottom of the box to provide support for the stones and keep them off of the bottom. The pipe sections are intentionally shorter than the width of the box so the water can circulate. This also makes it easy to flush the box when needed.

View attachment 143164


Here is a photo of the 800 grit waterstone on the Dychem mat. In normal use, the stone does not move as I sharpen the chisels or plane irons with the honing jig.

View attachment 143165

That looks cleaner and better than my Doctor’s surgery……….

 

[--Tom--]

Kitchen gastronorm tubs and a sink bridge gives a contained solution that is neat and can be used with soakers. I just use a canteen style tray and then let the stones air dry before going away in a filing drawer cab from ikea.
Re choseras if you soak them the magnesia binder softens and you get crazing on the surface of the stone - much worse with the ones above 5k.

 

[yetloh]

I have been using Japanese water stones for many years and my sharpening station amounts to a piece of pond liner on a work surface and a sqeazy bottle of water. Admittedly, the work surface is next to the workshop sink with hot and cold water. I keep my stones in plastic bacon boxes, with or without water as appropriate to the stones. Never felt the need for anything more elaborate.

Jim

 

[artie]

Not that I'm used to waterstones, but Frank's box looks pretty impressive, although I'd want a fail safe for my needs.
Just posting for fun really.

Brilliant.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've had two water stones in water in Tupperware type containers for decades. I take the lid off, drop the stone on the lid, sharpen the tool, put the stone back, lid on and wipe the tool dry on my shorts or shirt. I've never see the need to faff about.