lightly OT: can anyone recommend a source of good sharpening stones?

[fyffe555]

Hi all,

need to sharpen my hand planes and chisels and need a decent oil stone, or water stone depending on where you live. I was gifted an Arkansas Combination Stone from wood craft, its too coarse and I can't seem to get on with it. Of course I threw out my old dished and chipped stone before trying the new one . So, any recommendations?

thanks

Andrew

[ger21]

Don't remeber where I got it, but I use a 1000 grit Japanese waterstone, followed by wet or dry sanpaper on 1/2" plate glass up to about 1500 grit, then use an 8000 grit waterstone for final polish. I might have gotten them at woodcraft, but I've had them over 10 years now.

Not cheap, but you might want to look here.
http://www.japanwoodworker.com/page.asp?content_id=2896

[fyffe555]

Thanks, I'll have a look. The sandpaper on glass thing, is that whats refered to as 'scary sharp' on the web? seen it around before but didn't want to try it with my decent tools...

[ger21]

I always thought of scary sharp as just really, really sharp. The sandpaper is quick and easy, without the expense of good quality stones. Although in the long run, the stones would probably be cheaper if you do a lot of sharpening.

didn't want to try it with my decent tools...

I have a $150 set of japanese chisels, and using sandpaper, the backs look like mirrors.

[ViperTX]

Personally I use diamond stones....haven't tried the Japanese waterstones.....sandpaper on glass....works beautifully...

[mxtras]

Look for Norton in McMasterCarr or MSC for bench stones - many grits and configurations are available.

Scott

[Mcgyver]

emery's a good idea, mostly though i use waterstones, right up to the 8000x japanese stone. on advantage of the water stone, they cut very quickly.

btw you can can similar grits of paper, used iirc for polishing windshields and such. body shop supply should carry up to 2000, its made up 10,000, but not sure who has it. I've got some up to a few thousand and feels very smooth at that grit. still, the water stones are faster and cheaper, although more to purchase up front. Lee Valley makes a nifty little device that holds the angle for the primary and secondary bevel, well worth having for planes and chisels imo - its the veritas one shown in the follow link.

Lee Valley in Canada has a lot of good sharpening stuff (although is evolving more into a gift shop), Leonard Lee wrote a great book on sharpening. Garret Wade is perhaps the best woodworking supplier and is domestic to you

http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?...mType=CATEGORY

[ger21]

Garret Wade is perhaps the best woodworking supplier and is domestic to you

Also one of the more expensive, but they carry nice stuff. I got my chisels there
http://www.garrettwade.com/shopping/...oductID=104515