DIAMOND SLIPSTONE
From Alan Lacer
Thank you for purchasing my diamond slipstone. It is unlike any other sold elsewhere—even if associated with my name. This is the only true diamond, two-edge tapered slipstone on the market, with two flat surfaces and two different curved radius edges. The flat surfaces (both sides are diamond plated) are great for the outside ground bevels of gouges. It is the only part of the slipstone you will need for skew chisels and parting tools. The curved areas (two different radii) are for honing (slipping) the inside flutes of gouges. It can also be used to pull burrs on scrapers—as well as remove old burrs and polish the top of the tool. See the honing article I wrote in the 2008 Winter American Woodturner (on my web site) for applications for all the turning tools.
This is a premium product making use of the best materials I could find. The metal plate is from mild steel—not aluminum or plastic. The diamond is high-grade diamond, not cheap synthetic. And the plating process is by nickel electro plating rather than using adhesives. As I cannot guarantee that it will never wear out, it should have a long functional life if you take care of the hone.
I recommend cleaning the slipstone frequently with hot soapy water or, the best, with PB Blaster’s Original Nut and Bolt Blaster or a similar product. Spray a generous amount of Original PB Blaster on the stone, allow it to sit for a few minutes and wipe off with a cloth. If the slipstone is really loaded with steel, soak spray and soak over night, then scrub it with an old toothbrush. You can hone with water (good when doing heavy honing) but I tend to use the slipstone dry and clean it often.
Initially the surface will feel rougher than the 600 grit that it is. Do not worry: this is part of the last coat of nickel and will soon ware away. After an initial break-in period, the plate will feel smooth rather than rough. The stone is not worn out; just the corners of the diamonds are removed a little as well as some of the last plating of nickel. Diamond, unlike many other honing materials, cuts by its hardness, not so much by sharpness. If you really do wear out the hone, it will appear as small bald patches that become polished almost like a mirror (this indicates you are down to the metal or the initial nickel plating). For longest life, try to use all parts of the stone, not just one area.
The benefits of honing are many: a sharper tool following grinding, for maintaining a sharp edge, between grinding, more efficient than returning to a grinder every time the tool needs sharpening, longer life of your tools (less grinding), better detailing with sharper tool, simply less time sanding and starting with finer sanding grits due to using a sharper tool.
I stock the hone currently in 600 grit (usually just this one grit is adequate for turners).
Tip: The hone works great on all woodworking tools, kitchen and other knives, fishhooks, carbide cutters and saw blades.
—Alan Lacer
651 307 9059
www.alanlacer.com email: alan@alanlacer.com
