Hey all, newb here. I’m building my first workshop in my basement with hand tools only (might add power tools later) and looking for some advice.
I’m still undecided on a sharpening setup, so wondering what other people like. How fussy are water stones, and how do you manage keeping them true? Do you have any cool tricks or things you want to show off?
I use water on my diamond plates, usually a weak solution of Simple Green. People swear by that for all sorts of things but I’m not entirely convinced it’s that much better than a little dish soap or just water.
I tried window cleaner per Paul Sellers but didn’t care for it. To be fair, he uses automotive window cleaner, which I didn’t have and wasn’t going to buy some to try it out, nor do I know if what he gets in the UK is the same as what we get in the US.
There will likely be rust on the plates, but know that is from the swarf, not the plate itself, which is a nickel alloy.
You can use a cheap rubber eraser to clean or one of those crepe sticks that are sold for cleaning sanding belts.