Derek Cohen (in Perth Australia)
>I have long been an advocate of 220 grit drywall mesh for flattening waterstones such as my Kings. This should also work on Nortons as I understand. The mesh is long lasting, easy to clean and lies flat.

Below is a picture of my Waterstone Board, with mesh (clamped at the rear end) and adjustable bracket for waterstones.

Incidentally, if one is going to use the Ruler Trick on the back of blades, and do so with the 8000 stone, then there is no need to grind the backs at all. Chisel backs are another matter altogether.

I suspect that I was thinking of David Charlesworth. He did only use 800, 1200 and 8000 waterstones in his sharpening video.

Regards from Perth

Derek