Thread: Strange Norton stone :hmmm:

I have cut a number of different stones to sizes requested by customers. The size most requested is 1" wide and I think that's the size on the David Polan videos. His is a coticule. In addition to David's, I've also cut belgian natural combos to one inch wide and belgian blues as well. I haven't cut a Norton yet but would be willing to do so. I've the 1k/4k and 4k/8k stones in stock.

So a couple days ago I went on a wild goose chase for someone to cut my hone. I went to a granite place which pointed me to this guys machine shop. Once I found his shop it was a strange experience. He was a crazy guy and didn't have a diamond saw but started wondering how he could cut my hone. Besides talking about his drinking problems he was thinking out loud like, "I wonder if my bandsaw could do it..."

Well, without asking he took it over to the bandsaw (large industrial metal cutting type) and started into the middle by eyeballing it. I was about to start grabbing for the hone but he said it was working. So he takes some calipers and measures a center line down the hone. He starts back at the bandsaw and luckily it seems like there is no chipping or anything- it was just very slow cutting. SO then he calls me over and says "here, just hold this with steady pressure" and lets ME cut the hone at HIS saw! Is that a liability issue or what?!? He also said to watch my fingers cause he didn't want a lawsuit. Anyway, it took a WHILE and might have even dulled his blade, who knows. In the end it worked pretty damn well though! Came out with two even sides (although roughed up along the cut) almost 1.5 inches wide each. The blade obviously didn't have as much kerf as a table saw would. I took THEM home and lapped all surfaces and am thoroughly pleased.

Would I suggest doing this? No. But hey, I think I lucked out by not coming home with my 4k/8k in pieces and am actually happier than when I started. I'll post some picks when I take some.

Originally Posted by Chrisl

Although I sold my Nortons some time ago, I've actually thought about getting a narrow Norton 4000 and 8000. toolsforworkingwood.com sells 1.5" wide Nortons they rip down the center just like you did. I have plenty of narrow higher grit naturals for warped blades but no narrow lower grit stones. Your guy you took yours to did a great job on the clean cut. You'll get good use out of those narrow stones.

Chris L

Really glad that Chris mentioned the narrow Nortons available at Tools for working wood. I bought a set of 1K,4K, and 8K 8"X1 1/2". I love the darn things, The feedback on them is great and I can do the rolling X more easily then with a 3" wide stone. I am having much better luck with a big Rogers wedge that has a warped blade.

Originally Posted by superfly

Thanx guys, I see you like my new hones...

I have use them today, and I must say they are way more effective than the wider hone. They feel bit akward to use, because of their thickness, but it's a matter of habit.

There are two more options with these stones: Separating the hones grit wise, but given the thickness, I think that would be a waste of material, and plus you would have to glue them on something, like a tile or so, in order to give them more stabiliy, ana second,
sawing them in half, making 4x4" stones. This is actually a good idea, since it will force more agressive X pattern, not allowing the middle of the blade to spend much time on the hone, thus allowing the formation of a frown... The 8" norton is too long for a razor hone, I think...

don't be afraid to cut yours

cheers,
Nenad

First thing I did when I got my Norton was 1/4 er it. Better all round imo.

PuFF

It looks much better now. Like a Norton on Slim Fast!
I can see the benefits of having a narrow Norton. Narrow finishing hones are easy to get a hold of. But it is difficult (Nigh on impossible), to find a narrow hone in the coarser grits in order to do the donkey work.
Good work, and I hope to join the club soon.

Connor