Hey all, newb here. I’m building my first workshop in my basement with hand tools only (might add power tools later) and looking for some advice.
I’m still undecided on a sharpening setup, so wondering what other people like. How fussy are water stones, and how do you manage keeping them true? Do you have any cool tricks or things you want to show off?
Follow up question, what do you use for an abrasive fluid? I’m pretty new to sharpening and just bought diamond stones and lapping fluid, but the fluid is semi-expensive. I’ve seen about anything from just water, Windex, Krud Cleaner, and then all sorts of replies saying that each of those wreck the stone in some way. Is there a cheap alternative that you use, or should I just keep buying the lapping fluid?
I use water on my diamond plates, usually a weak solution of Simple Green. People swear by that for all sorts of things but I’m not entirely convinced it’s that much better than a little dish soap or just water.
I tried window cleaner per Paul Sellers but didn’t care for it. To be fair, he uses automotive window cleaner, which I didn’t have and wasn’t going to buy some to try it out, nor do I know if what he gets in the UK is the same as what we get in the US.
There will likely be rust on the plates, but know that is from the swarf, not the plate itself, which is a nickel alloy.
You can use a cheap rubber eraser to clean or one of those crepe sticks that are sold for cleaning sanding belts.
Diamond stones are pretty much fine with anything you want to use. In a pinch, use them dry but wipe off the metal dust frequently (dry rag). In the shop where I don’t have a sink I use a spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol (50% seems about right). In the kitchen I use soapy water. I’ve seen oil used but I’d rather not have the mess.
Diamond stones don’t absorb so any liquid that can be cleaned off and isn’t corrosive or otherwise dangerous will work.