Thread: How do you unclog a stone?

Originally Posted by Howard

I restore a few dozen whetstones of all types every month. I just did 11 yesterday. I put them in the kitchen sink and spray them thick with Easy Off Fume Free. I get it at Lowe's or the supermarket or Wal-mart. It's in a blue spray can. It smells a lot less than the yellow can Easy Off. The product lifts grime and oil and swarf out of the stone. Spray it on, let it sit 10 minutes and then spray with the dishwasher sprayer while brushing with an old dishwashing brush. Flip the stones and do the other side. Sometimes you have to repeat several times if they're really bad. Be sure to do the sides and ends as well.

I used Juranitch's method since I learned it in 1981 and while the Arkansas stones do hone better dry, they're also porous and so they get mucked up with swarf.

Will this work for cleaning my DMT 1200 (green one with the holes)? It seems to be grimy, but I could be wrong because I haven't used it that much... I know you're supposed to break them in, so that could be what I'm seeing develop on the plate. Any suggestions, guys?

Adam

Adam,

DMTs discolor with use. I attribute it to steel particles (swarf) rusting as you go along, staining the nickel-plated surface. If it really bugs you, you can get the hone clean with some Comet scouring powder and a green Scotchbrite pad. When you hone a lot, though, the rust comes right back, so I don't bother.

Josh