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Storing Water stones between use ?

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Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Paul-H » 15 Aug 2022, 21:41

Hi all

A quick question I hope.

What's the best way to store water stones between sharpening sessions, keep them soaking in water or let them dry out between sessions, or something else.

Thanks for any help with this.

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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Argus » 15 Aug 2022, 22:20

Bucket of water.
They need constant immersion.
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Peri » 15 Aug 2022, 22:32

Tupperware container full of water, ready for use.

If they're in an unheated workshop, probably not a good idea to let them freeze solid in the winter though :)
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Cabinetman » 16 Aug 2022, 01:21

The Navy used to put brandy in the drinking water to stop it spoiling- damn waste for stones though lol.
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Just4fun » 16 Aug 2022, 02:00

Cabinetman wrote:The Navy used to put brandy in the drinking water to stop it spoiling- damn waste for stones though lol.

What brandy should you use to get the sharpest chisels?
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Windows » 16 Aug 2022, 04:25

I run my stone under a tap before and after use and store it dry. The manufacturer of your stone may have a different serving suggestion for you.
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Peri » 16 Aug 2022, 06:13

Just4fun wrote:
Cabinetman wrote:The Navy used to put brandy in the drinking water to stop it spoiling- damn waste for stones though lol.

What brandy should you use to get the sharpest chisels?


Not Brandy - Obviously :D

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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Dr.Al » 16 Aug 2022, 07:40

As the grit size gets smaller, the need for soaking reduces. I've got a fine grit stone (6000 or 8000, I can't remember) and that just needs a generous squirt of water before use. I don't use the coarse ones any more: I don't like to leave them soaking due to the risk of freezing and it takes quite a while to soak them before use.
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Woodbloke » 16 Aug 2022, 08:32

Argus wrote:Bucket of water.
They need constant immersion.


Nope, they don't need constant immersion. David Charlesworth used to store his in green trays from the garden centre with about 12mm of water each - Rob
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby AndyT » 16 Aug 2022, 08:40

If you have a waterstone that you want to keep immersed because the maker said you should or because you decide to, have a look in the tupperware section of a kitchen or hardware shop. You can get a sealable plastic box, sold as a box for bacon rashers, which is exactly the right size. It will seal properly so there's no evaporation or dirt to manage and you can just put the stone on the shelf, next to your natural oilstones, your man-made oilstones, your diamond stones, your ceramic stones and your abrasive papers.
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Andy Kev. » 16 Aug 2022, 08:59

I had a Japanese water stone where the maker specifically said it was not to be stored immersed in water. You had to soak it for just a few minutes before use. If you soaked it, it would crumble away.

I imagine that the manufacturer would supply information in cases like that.
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Argus » 16 Aug 2022, 09:05

Gave 'em up when decent diamond plates came out - quicker, easier, sharp tools, less mess.

One instance of technology trumping the traditional stuff.
It's a bit like giving up stone axes, when the metal ones became available.

The water evaporated years ago, but they are still in the bucket.................
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby johnward » 16 Aug 2022, 09:08

I've used an 800, a 6,000 and a 16,000 grit for all my sharpening for a good number of years. I leave them in position covered in plastic when not in use and only soak the 800 grit for 10 minutes before it's needed. The other two are so dense that they only need a spray of water before use.
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Woodbloke » 16 Aug 2022, 11:41

Argus wrote:Gave 'em up when decent diamond plates came out - quicker, easier, sharp tools, less mess.


Same here; waterstones were quickly booted into the long grass when decent diamond plates (DMT etc) became available, but I've moved on again to 'scary sharp' films from WH.

The caveat with waterstones is that to get the best out of them, the 'shop ought to have a sink with a drain and running water. Not many 'shops can boast of such an accessory inc. mine and without access to running water the things are a complete pain in the arris - Rob
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Phil Pascoe » 16 Aug 2022, 12:03

I've used water stones for 40 years and still prefer them to (decent) diamond plates. (No I haven't running water.)
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby AJB Temple » 16 Aug 2022, 16:34

I've used a lot of water stones. Mostly bought in Japan and have never left any to soak after use having had a 800o grit expensive stone start to craze when over soaked. Nowadays I only use splash and go stones anyway, and just wet those with a mist spray bottle. Prefer w/s to diamond plates personally.
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby —Tom— » 17 Aug 2022, 08:29

There are broadly 2 types of water stone - splash and go and soakers. Some splash and go stones will suffer if soaked as the binder will start to dissolve.
If you don’t know the type a quick 10 min soak before use will be fine and cover both types ok.
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby AJB Temple » 17 Aug 2022, 11:18

Tom - your first post and you've jumped right into a sharpening shark pool :lol:
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Woodbloke » 17 Aug 2022, 12:49

AJB Temple wrote:.... right into a sharpening shark pool :lol:

That's the same one that's got all the crocodiles :lol: - Rob
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby —Tom— » 19 Aug 2022, 07:30

Hopefully more of a puddle than a pool!
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby Woodbloke » 19 Aug 2022, 11:18

—Tom— wrote:Hopefully more of a puddle than a pool!

Even an online sharpening puddle is fraught with 'difficulties' :eusa-whistle: That's why we don't go anywhere near them on WH2 - Rob
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Re: Storing Water stones between use ?

Postby —Tom— » 19 Aug 2022, 16:20

Woodbloke wrote:
—Tom— wrote:Hopefully more of a puddle than a pool!

Even an online sharpening puddle is fraught with 'difficulties' :eusa-whistle: That's why we don't go anywhere near them on WH2 - Rob


Glad to hear it!
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