Screwdriver
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- Messages
- 10,156
My cheapo Chinese plate was great for sharpening a banana but not so good for getting a razor edge. So I recently bit the bullet and bought a decent Trend 300/1000 plate for general purpose sharpening, flattening stones, surface prep etc.
My question is: what is the best lubricant to use?
Two things to avoid please.
1. yes, I appreciate Trend will sell me 100ml for £15 but I think I'd have a heart attack every time I squirt the trigger. That fluid is too expensive (for me).
2. WD40. Much as I would like to use that if only for the aroma, it is too thick for proper sharpening, the film thickness is deeper than the height of the abrasive(!)
The options I am considering are:
Mineral/synthetic "auto" windshield fluid
Isopropyl alcohol/rubbing fluid
Regular machine coolant (emulsion)
Because these diamond stones are nickel plated onto the substrate, they are susceptible to corrosion if water gets onto them. With a brand new stone ideally I would start off using a product and stick with it. Ideally it should be ok to use the same product on my collection of ceramic stones, evem though I might still use them with water. I just want to keep water away from the lapping plate.
I hear a lot of talk of light mineral oils, brake fluid and even lighter fluid and am happy to consider all suggestions. It needs to be cheap enough to allow me to use it liberally by which I mean max £10/litre ish, water soluble and non corrosive. Ideally of course it would be "free" but even water doesn't quite pass that test so something low cost will have to do.
My question is: what is the best lubricant to use?
Two things to avoid please.
1. yes, I appreciate Trend will sell me 100ml for £15 but I think I'd have a heart attack every time I squirt the trigger. That fluid is too expensive (for me).
2. WD40. Much as I would like to use that if only for the aroma, it is too thick for proper sharpening, the film thickness is deeper than the height of the abrasive(!)
The options I am considering are:
Mineral/synthetic "auto" windshield fluid
Isopropyl alcohol/rubbing fluid
Regular machine coolant (emulsion)
Because these diamond stones are nickel plated onto the substrate, they are susceptible to corrosion if water gets onto them. With a brand new stone ideally I would start off using a product and stick with it. Ideally it should be ok to use the same product on my collection of ceramic stones, evem though I might still use them with water. I just want to keep water away from the lapping plate.
I hear a lot of talk of light mineral oils, brake fluid and even lighter fluid and am happy to consider all suggestions. It needs to be cheap enough to allow me to use it liberally by which I mean max £10/litre ish, water soluble and non corrosive. Ideally of course it would be "free" but even water doesn't quite pass that test so something low cost will have to do.