Thread: My first DIY bench strop (hone?)

Here is a pic of the first bench strop I´ve made. It´s simply a slab o glass (7cm x 25cm x 0.7cm) with four rubber feet and 3m Micropore(TM) tape.

I´ve sprinkled some crox powder over it and it works like a charm!

Very nice Jose!

I like your new toy! I am going to have to give that tape a try...

Have you ever tried a balsa strop for the CrO? From what I've read, most people seem to prefer the balsa for CrO.....but since I have tried neither, I'm just wondering why you chose the micro pore tape?

Well, first of all, glass was easily avaiable to me, and it´s already perfectly flat and won´t loose it´s flat state.

People say balsa is good because it has pores where the sharpening agent (crox, cerox, diamond et cetera) go. Well, so does micropore! And Micropore has the advantage that when the crox gets old I´ll just peel it off the glass, stick a new piece of micropore and sprinkle some crox over it and I´m done, no sanding or flatening needed. So, it seems like a more pratical alternative to balsa or a leather on wood strop.

And then there is cost: five pieces of glass cost me US$ 20.00, the roll of micropore about US$ 5.00. So, 5 hones/strops for US$ 25.00, not a bad deal (and they ain´t too ugly either)!

I plan to use the other four with some diamond pastes I´ve bought (just waiting for them to arrive).

Originally Posted by Smokintbird

I like your new toy! I am going to have to give that tape a try...

Have you ever tried a balsa strop for the CrO? From what I've read, most people seem to prefer the balsa for CrO.....but since I have tried neither, I'm just wondering why you chose the micro pore tape?

Excellent! I agree about the ease of refreshing the abrasive, that would be by FAR the easiest way to go. I'm sure my abrasive powders kit will include some of that before too long.

Did you have the glass cut to the width of a standard width Micropore tape?

Jerry

Originally Posted by figaro

Did you have the glass cut to the width of a standard width Micropore tape?

Jerry

Lol, this is just another post trying to complicate simple things more than it's necessary

No offence, figaro - look closely on the pic, extra tape has been wrapped on the edges, it's just that simple!
Well, it's just my guess, after all.

Great idea, BTW!
Cheers!

Great idea. I may have to try it. I'll be interested to see how the diamond works with it. My experiences so far with diamond paste directly on glass has been bad. The very hard glass surface and diamond grit rolling around on the glass just shreds the edges of razors especially on the coarser grits when backhoning.

Chris L

Originally Posted by matisso

Lol, this is just another post trying to complicate simple things more than it's necessary

No offence, figaro - look closely on the pic, extra tape has been wrapped on the edges, it's just that simple!
Well, it's just my guess, after all.

Great idea, BTW!
Cheers!

That´s right, i´ve ordered the glass slightly smaller than the micropore

I wasn't trying to complicate things at all. I have an 3 inch by 11 inch glass plate from the Hand American system. I was trying to find out the tape's width. I solved the problem at the pharmacy. I ordered a 3 inch wide roll of Microphore, and will have it Monday. Will try my 1, .5,and .25v micron diamond spray, .5 chromium oxide, and 40% solution of cerium oxide.
Interesting idea.

Jerry