What type of Granite for sharpening/honing?

[Daniel Morgan]

Alrighty, didn't know where to post this question so I thought "general" was safe enough.

I am going to work on a sharpening station for my workshop (cleverly disguised as a garage).

My question is about granite plates (you clever people probably figured this out already).

I see where I can buy locally and online 2" thick granite for such purposes but I'm wondering if scraps from a granite countertop will suffice?

Perhaps granite tiles from the local H.D.?

I'm looking for a dead flat surface that I can stick sand paper to.

Thanks

[Prashun Patel]

Granite tiles are fine for flatness; plate glass is fine for flatness too.

The only reason to go thicker is more mass so it doesn't move around on you. But this is solved by fashioning a holder or even using rubber bumper type feet.
The only reason to go longer is to give you a longer stroke.

[Jim Matthews]

I use the sink cutout from a granite countertop for lapping the back of irons or truing handplanes.
It's flat enough to get good results, but I wouldn't call it portable.

I don't favor sandpaper as a longterm sharpening medium, it's expensive and messy.

A piece of "float glass (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=33017&cat=1,43072)" from your local glass repair shop is probably ideal.
It will be really flat, it should be cheap, and you can get it cut to whatever size you like.



That's what I started with. I broke it in the move to my new digs, five years ago
and bought the sink cut out. A larger tile, on a solid substrate should be plenty.
They can be verified with a straight edge and a flashlight.

If you don't have a straightedge at the Home center, borrow a level.
Those things are amazingly straight, these days.

FYI - I now sharpen with the diamond plates from Atoma and wish I had started with these.
They're faster, easier to clean and will be cheaper over the long haul.

I use honing oil and there's little dust or swarf to clean up.

Just comparing my hands after sharpening with the two methods tells the tale.
The diamond stones are MUCH faster cutting an edge, but about the same
amount of time for lapping things flat.

[Daniel Morgan]

Thanks for the input folks. I will look into the float glass first. I am pursuing this venue as I have a lot of sandpaper that will work well for now. The goal is diamond stones and then eventually a Tormek to compliment everything.

[HANK METZ]

I use the bed of my 6" jointer as a flat surface for honing (with abrasives stock of course).

[phil harold]

Got to countertop tile place (say Rocky Mountain Tile & Stone) get to the fabrication shop, avoid the showroom
there usually is an office, hit them break or lunch time tell them you need a piece of stone
if they ask you if it needs edge treament, say NO
how big, say I dont know 8x11
If they say hard or soft, say Flat
when he says come with me, follow him to the scrap bin
dont ask to cut take what they give you,Say Thanks

just did this today at the shop in my town
less than five minutes of their time
when the wife gets back I will have pics and dimensions
280627
Also in a pinch you can buy sand paper at Walmart in the automotive section
280626

[Jeff Nicol]

You can buy smaller granite blocks for machinist work that are dead flat and work wonderful for your application. Here is a link to one at Wholesale tool. Also you might try a grave marker shop also for scrap chunks and I do have a couple of 12x12 granite floor tiles that work too.

Good luck,

Jeff

http://www.wttool.com/index/page/product/product_id/17755/category_id/17550/product_name/WT+Precision+Black+Granite+Surface+Plate

[Jim Matthews]

The Tormek is a worthy, but very expensive tool.

I use the Lee Valley upright sander/grinder - but only when there's a serious, deep knick in a blade.
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43072&p=44884

With newer tool steel, that's rarely needed.

I can't justify spending Tormek money on something that will just sit in a corner.

[Daniel Morgan]

Jim,

The more I research the more I'm inclined to agree with you about the Tormek and the option of the ultra-versatile strip sander.

Thanks