I'm looking for suggestions for general purpose gunsmithing stones, something that can be used for a little metal removal, polishing etc. What size(s) and shape(s)? What material -- e.g. india, Arkansas, ceramic?
General Purpose Gunsmithing Stones?
- Thread starter grauhanen
- Start date
I have used these for many jobs quite handy. The flat diamond 1200 gr hones the bottom of a CZ striker to a marvelous finish with just a small amount of water to lube them.Well worth the purchase.Explore the eze lap web page.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=70638&cat=1,43072,43077
Also these in 600 http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=70614&cat=1,43072,43089
They have almost made my collection of stones obsolete.
R
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=70638&cat=1,43072,43077
Also these in 600 http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=70614&cat=1,43072,43089
They have almost made my collection of stones obsolete.
R
Medium and fine india are great options for moderate to light burr removal. For final polishing I like the fine white ceramic. Although if you happen to find anything in hard Arkansas those are amazing as well.
For my smaller size ultra fine ceramic stones in flat rectangular and triangle forms I'm using Lansky knife sharpening stones carefully pried off their plastic holders. For "surface plate" ultra fine ceramic polishing I've got a 2x10x1/2 stone I found at a wood working show many years ago.
For my India stone needs I've got an assortment of medium and fine India "files" that I've found here and there over the years. Lee Valley used to handle such things years ago but now they have other products that while suitable for wood working sharpening needs don't work so well for gunsmithing.
The lapping plates and diamond tools can work well too But for final polishing the ones I've seen so far can't hold a candle to a nice surface from a white ceramic stone.
For my smaller size ultra fine ceramic stones in flat rectangular and triangle forms I'm using Lansky knife sharpening stones carefully pried off their plastic holders. For "surface plate" ultra fine ceramic polishing I've got a 2x10x1/2 stone I found at a wood working show many years ago.
For my India stone needs I've got an assortment of medium and fine India "files" that I've found here and there over the years. Lee Valley used to handle such things years ago but now they have other products that while suitable for wood working sharpening needs don't work so well for gunsmithing.
The lapping plates and diamond tools can work well too But for final polishing the ones I've seen so far can't hold a candle to a nice surface from a white ceramic stone.
You can hit the Gesswein or Grobet File Co. sites and look till you go cross-eyed. Lots of variations. I have a couple Boride Engineered Abrasives sticks, and they are well worth the looking at. LOTS of types and grits there. Boride puts together some Gunsmiths targeted kits too, if you just want a sampler pack.
Everything out there from cheap India stones, to ruby and ceramic slips.
Do yourself a huge favor. Get some really good magnification. If you cannot scrounge up a binocular microscope, buy yourself a couple 'good' quality jewelers loupes and learn to use them. Get one of a higher power than the other, and get a decent magnifying glass as well. Being able to see what is actually going on while you are removing material from small surfaces like sears, and you will gain an appreciation for the angles and the detail of the work.
Essentially, you are going to get them from wherever you can find them. I have stuff that came from machine tool suppliers, Jewellery supplies houses, woodworking stores, and Sporting goods suppliers.
Cheers
Trev
Everything out there from cheap India stones, to ruby and ceramic slips.
Do yourself a huge favor. Get some really good magnification. If you cannot scrounge up a binocular microscope, buy yourself a couple 'good' quality jewelers loupes and learn to use them. Get one of a higher power than the other, and get a decent magnifying glass as well. Being able to see what is actually going on while you are removing material from small surfaces like sears, and you will gain an appreciation for the angles and the detail of the work.
Essentially, you are going to get them from wherever you can find them. I have stuff that came from machine tool suppliers, Jewellery supplies houses, woodworking stores, and Sporting goods suppliers.
Cheers
Trev
At the last place I worked there were a lot of lathes as well as milling machines and grinders. I sincerely regret not being able to get the tool post grinder and all of the mandrels that went with it. Sharpening mill bits is tedious at best when doing it by hand and eye but in truth, I don't have to do it very often and so far the results have been ok.
One thing I did acquire were several different grit stones made in different shapes and dimensions. Square mostly but triangular/round/elliptical and conical as well. Very handy.
One of the greatest boons for me was a lapping table about 16 inches square with a diamond patter cut into the surface. This handy platform is made from normalized cast steel and requires a piece of wet/dry paper of various grits to be placed on top and the final polishing done. Takes a bit of practice to do it right but for things like tool bit edges it's quick and easy to use. They also gave me a very large 24in x 36in granite table about 6in thick that was used to measure from a surface that was ground true to within one degree of light. It was way beyond my needs but I managed to trade it to a machine shop for some Aloris Tool Post tool holders. Good deal for both of us.
