Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
How do you store your Water Stones?
Joe in a Cleveland suburb
>Do you keep it/them in a container with water all the time or just put them in water shortly before you know you'll need them?
I've had mine in water since earlier this week (no chance of frezzing) when I got it. Not sure that is the best thing to do or not.
Thanks,
Joe
unZIP email address
It depends...
Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida
>Some of the traditional porous stones take a while to soak up water (my 800, 1200 & 4K) - I leave those in water. My 8000 does not require much water, so I leave it dry. The Shapton instructions specifically direct one not to store them in water. (Will they melt?)
BTW, I do not have to worry about freezing them down here.
Re: How do you store your Water Stones?
John Hoffman
>I have Norton combo stones (1,000/4,000) and have been advised by someone who knows to NOT leave them in water all the time because it will cause delamination. If you don't have a combo stone then it may not matter.
regards
JH
Re: How do you store your Water Stones?
Tony - Memphis
>I bought some cheap plastic bins at Bed Bath and Beyond and store my Norton's in those (full of water) all the time. Not required here, but some folks add a drop or two of Clorox to their water. I want them ready to use when I'm ready.
Tony
Re: How do you store your Water Stones?
Matt Dworman
>I used to keep them in water, but the micro particles of iron/steel cause discoloration when this is done. Now I store them dry and just soak them prior to use. I rarely use my 1000 grit or coarser stones now because I use diamond stones for those grits and waterstones for 4000 and 8000. Those stones only require a spritz of water with a sprayer anyway....
Matt
No water...
Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
>I leave mine out now. Just give them a soak at sharpening time. Got tired of stuff growing on them and having to change the water. Freezing is also a consideration where I live.
Re: How do you store your Water Stones?
Alan Hamilton
>Joe,
I keep mine wet, and have for as long as I've had waterstones. My oldest stones are, of course, two polishing stones--a 3000 and a 6000 grit--and they've been kept in water continuously since about 1984 (this is NOT an exaggeration). The next oldest is a 1200 grit; it's been in water since about 1989. My stones have suffered no ill effects whatever.
Alan