reccomend source for carbide grit

[Paul Saffold]

Looking for source for carbide grit and what sizes do I need for flattening old oil stones and plane soles.
Thanks for your help.
Paul

[David Weaver]

I think I got some on ebay and some from mcmaster carr at different times. It doesn't have to come from anywhere special.

Get coarse if you want to do fast flattening. If you want to buy a pound or two of 36 grit and a pound or two of 80 or 120, that would be fine.

[Jim Matthews]

If there's an auto supply store nearby, you should be able to find lapping compound (http://www.nrracing.com/product-p/220gritvlc.htm)in an ounce container up to 220 grit.

[Noah Wagener]

Never used it myself but in a book on planes i am reading the author says that it breaks down finer and finer so a rough grit will eventually be polishing so i think you can not go wrong with the rough stuff. Here is a post on using lapping plates with diamond paste: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?199208-Diamond-Paste&p=2065650#post2065650

What are you using for a lapping plate? There is link in that above thread by the above David for a steel kanaban though another David (Barnett) says that it needs to be iron. On this link :http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&ved=0CGUQFjAL&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.japanesewoodworking.com%2Fphp BB3%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D2%26t%3D2055&ei=SvCLUfW-NsrCyAGsqoDwDQ&usg=AFQjCNEi1COPNBjny5UuPZd-msYv9AXolQ&bvm=bv.46340616,d.aWc&cad=rja someone writes that it is only in the fine grits that you need iron.

good luck

you can get silica sand in ashtrays. They use it sandblasting so it must have abrasive properties.

[Michael Horan]

Lee Valley sells it too. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=33017&cat=1,43072

[David Weaver]

Cast is better for diamonds, especially when you're using fine diamonds. I use mild steel for coarse diamonds, but I think the only device that's gotten fine ones lately is a spyderco UF, out of curiosity (it does make a nice base for diamonds, but free cast iron junk makes more money sense and still works better).

I don't know what the preference is for silicon carbide, I've used the LV cast plate just fine, but it's not the precise embedding operation that you get with diamonds. It's instead a sloppy rolling slurry event, and mild steel may work just as well.

[Bob Deroeck]

I've bought silicon carbide grit and diamond pastes from a lapidary supply company (Kingsley North) on the web. Prices seemed reasonable and delivery was quick.

Bob

[Paul Saffold]

THanks for all the suggestions. Bob, I bookmarked Kingsley North, their prices looked the best. However I placed an order thru ebay earlier today. McMaster Carr's 5 lb lots are too much for me.

[Noah Wagener]

Is most steel that isn't labeled tool steel considered mild steel? Like stuff called cold or hot rolled? 1018 On wikipedia someone wrote that once you get over 3 percent carbon it is considered cast iron. I always thought that iron was iron and if you add carbon to it then it is steel.