Results 1 to 8 of 8
Like Tree6Likes
  • 1 Post By tcrideshd
  • 1 Post By BobH
  • 4 Post By thebigspendur

Thread: Soaking stones in distilled water

  1. #1
    Member WindsorRaz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Quad Cities area, IL
    Posts
    31
    Thanked: 6

    Default Soaking stones in distilled water

    I had noticed Lynn mentioning soaking his honing stones in distilled water. This raised a question in my mind. If soaking stones in hard tap water, is it possible after some time to have a buildup of calcium and other minerals in the stones that could affect their honing properties? I just got to wondering about this since these minerals can build up in a shower stall, for example, and become very hard and rough. Any thoughts?

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth tcrideshd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Oakland Tn
    Posts
    6,586
    Thanked: 1894

    Default

    Not all stones stay in a bucket only a few of them , and the distiller water is to keep the water from turning green with the mold and mildew is what I was told , but don't do this with most of the stones. Tc
    Steve56 likes this.
    “ I,m getting the impression that everyone thinks I have TIME to fix their bikes”

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to tcrideshd For This Useful Post:

    WindsorRaz (07-20-2015)

  4. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Dayton, OH USA
    Posts
    404
    Thanked: 45

    Default

    My initial thought is that unless you permanently keep stones in water that this should not be a problem. As you lap a stone to expose fresh surface, inherently you would be removing these impurities from the surface. Having said that, could they, in theory, degrade the binding agent in artificial stones over time? Perhaps...that would depend, in my mind, more on chemical treatment and Ph of the local water vs. distilled water than mineral deposits. Just my theories.

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to Denvernoob For This Useful Post:

    WindsorRaz (07-20-2015)

  6. #4
    Moderator rolodave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Racine, WI USA
    Posts
    7,530
    Thanked: 1927
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    My two bevel setters are stored in softened water from the tap. A small splash of bleach is added.

    I use Reverse Osmosis water for honing and sanding. No real need but it does prevent any possible build up. Also, the city water has a lot of solids which, in theory, could scratch the edge and/or stone.
    If you don't care where you are, you are not lost.

  7. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Rhode island
    Posts
    159
    Thanked: 16

    Default

    WhT is the benefit of soaking a stone in water? Could it not over Time soak up some water thus breaking down some of the stone inside and crumbling apart? I haven't stores any in water but if there's a benefit I would.

  8. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,250
    Thanked: 3221

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tcrideshd View Post
    Not all stones stay in a bucket only a few of them , and the distiller water is to keep the water from turning green with the mold and mildew is what I was told , but don't do this with most of the stones. Tc
    Yes, I believe soaking Naniwa stone/hones like that is definitely not recommended.

    Bob
    Geezer likes this.
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

  9. #7
    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    32,736
    Thanked: 5016
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    If you're talking natural rock there are very few that will be affected by soaking in water. Certain types like some sandstones and very porous rocks might be affected long term meaning many many years. Synthetic stones are another matter depending on glue used or binders and all that.

    The advantage is some stones need to be soaked before use and this way you are always ready to go without waiting 20 minutes or more. Actually you don't have to soak any stones as long as you continuously put water on them as you use them which could be in convenient. Some can absorb water like a sponge.
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

  10. #8
    Moderator rolodave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Racine, WI USA
    Posts
    7,530
    Thanked: 1927
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by thebigspendur View Post
    If you're talking natural rock there are very few that will be affected by soaking in water. Certain types like some sandstones and very porous rocks might be affected long term meaning many many years. Synthetic stones are another matter depending on glue used or binders and all that.

    The advantage is some stones need to be soaked before use and this way you are always ready to go without waiting 20 minutes or more. Actually you don't have to soak any stones as long as you continuously put water on them as you use them which could be in convenient. Some can absorb water like a sponge.
    Spendur is correct. My two bevel setters suck water like a dry camel.
    If you don't care where you are, you are not lost.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •