Replies

1. 
   troys | Jan 18, 2008 04:46am | #1

   I use water on my synthetic oilstone, I think it is around. You might contact the good people at Norton for a more knowledgeable answer.

   Troy

1. 
   andyfew322 | Jan 18, 2008 04:51am | #2

   how can i contact the norton people? 

   "I'd rather be a hammer than a nail"

1. 
   mike4244 | Jan 18, 2008 05:39am | #3

   Do a search for Norton Abrasives.Then at the bottom of the page click on site map.Click on contact , you can email norton with your question.

   I have tried using water with an old arkansas stone.I prefer the oil.The oil seems too keep the iron flat with a bit of suction.I use 1 part 10w30 to 3 parts kerosene for honing oil. This is not a scientific formula, I tried this many years ago and it works for me.

   mike

   Edited 1/17/2008 9:40 pm ET by mike4244

1. 
   Napie | Jan 18, 2008 06:19am | #5

   I have a 30 year old hard white Arkansas stone and I use WD-40, it is a great honing oil.

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 18, 2008 07:16pm | #6

   I'll ditto the WD-40.  I've been using it for as long as I can remember.

   Jeff

2. 
   kcmac | Jan 19, 2008 04:05am | #7

   Gents:

   I've worked for Norton for 30+ years in sales/engineering.  I agree with the previous posts that anything other than water is a good substitute as I've used whatever was readily available including kerosene.  They all work well but expect different finishes on you tools due to the lubricity of the cutting oil.

   Norton fills the pores of the stones with an hot oil that solidifys into something resembling vasoline when cooled.  This allows the oil bath to float on the stone and, as mentioned in previous posts keeps the swarf from penetrating into the stone.  The secondary benefit of the oil is improved finish abeit slightly reduced cutrate.

   The only real benefit I can see from using water on the stones is a slightly increased cutrate. The water will not flow into the pores of the stones... remembering the stone is filled with a solidified oil however you may end up with swarf embedded into the stone.  And this is difficult, if not impossible to clean up afterwards.

   Trust this helps.

    

3. 
   joinerswork | Jan 19, 2008 09:49pm | #9

   All,

   Have used water from my personally stored supply (spit) on oilstones, bricks, and sidewalks, even river rock, on many occasions when oil was not available, as on a jobsite, or in the woods.

   Ray

2. 
   troys | Jan 19, 2008 10:15am | #8

   Is this a great website or what, I was feeling bad about not having the contact info for Norton and some one from Norton replys to this post.Good luckTroy

2. 
   jackplane | Jan 18, 2008 05:49am | #4

   It's a small difference but IMO oil is better on an oilstone because it suspends the metal particles better, leaving more contact with the stone. And kerosene works a little better than oil.

   Expert since 10 am.

3. 
   saschafer | Jan 19, 2008 09:50pm | #10

   Just out of curiosiy, is there a particular reason you want to buy an oil stone and then use water on it? Why not just use oil on the oil stone, or buy a water stone instead?

   -Steve

    

1. 
   andyfew322 | Jan 19, 2008 10:27pm | #11

   someone said water was better, butnow I kinda think oil is. I'm not sure anymore 

   "I'd rather be a hammer than a nail"

1. 
   BRB | Jan 21, 2008 05:23am | #12

   I use baby oil ,12oz. for a dollar at most discount stores.Works well and smells good too!

2. 
   DonC | Jan 21, 2008 08:48pm | #13

   Why use water instead of oil? Water does not lubricate. Gets the job done faster. I have used water for many years and the stones don't load up and the cutting edge cuts just as well as using oil. Water stones wear out/dish out alot quicker than oil stones. Also there is no oily mess to deal with and contaminate a wood surface with oily finger prints. I have read,directly from Norton, and on the internet that water is ok to use,no harm to the stone.

   Someone suggested that WD40 is good. I was told that this product goes thru your skin and enters your body. It may just be a falsehood. But if a guy wants to use some type of oil, I would suggest mineral oil. Human friendly. You can buy it at the drug store where they sell fiber products for your intestinal health.

   Don