Flattening Old Oil Stone

[George Bokros]

I have and old oil stone that was my father-in-laws and would like to flatten it so I can use it. How would you recommend doing so? I was thinking of doing so using some coarse say 80 grit sand paper using the table saw as the backer for the sand paper.

Should I just scrap it and buy a new one? If a new one is the best way to go is a water stone a better alternative? What grits would you recommend if new is the best alternative?

Thanks

George

[Gary Herrmann]

George, try posting this on the Neanderthal forum - or ask a mod to move it. You'll get a lot more responses.

In terms of flattening or buying new, like everything else, the answer is - it depends:

How out of flat is it?
How important is it to you that you use this stone?
I think I'd go with a diamond stone for flattening before sandpaper. I'm thinking even 80 grit could take awhile if it's badly out of flat.
In terms of water or oil, that's a personal preference. There are also diamond and ceramic choices - just to muddy the waters.

What will you be sharpening and how often?
Will you be starting from very dull or just honing?

Lots of things to consider, potentially.

[Kevin Bourque]

I did this recently. I used various grits of sandpaper glued down to a sheet of 1/4" plate glass. It worked amazingly well and it was fast too.

[HANK METZ]

I used to get these next to free at flea markets, I simply ground them flat on my concrete driveway using water as a lube, keep it flooded and in no time done!

- Beachside Hank
Improvise, adapt, overcome; the essence of true craftsmanship.

[Myk Rian]

My belt sander worked great.

[ken masoumi]

I have heard "dry wall screen" ,you know the black mesh screen that you can buy from HD for removing /sanding dry wall repairs works very well for flattening sharpening stones,I just bought some recently but have not tried it yet.

[Paul Saffold]

That drywall screen works for water stones, not oil stones.