| Maintaining tools is one of those tasks it's very | | | | lubricant and leave it until it absorbs no more oil. |
| tempting to ignore. But there's nothing more | | | | And always keep it moist when not in use. |
| frustrating than trying to use a chisel that won't | | | | An oilstone won't produce a true edge unless it is |
| cut - and nothing more tiring than cutting through | | | | flat: avoid localized wear by using the whole |
| a large board with a blunt saw. All too often, | | | | surface of the stone, even when you are |
| perfectly good tools get thrown away and | | | | sharpening narrow bladed tools. |
| replaced with expensive new ones. This guide tells | | | | To check whether your stone is flat, lay a steel |
| you when it's practical to reclaim them, what you | | | | rule along, then across it. If you see any hollows it |
| can do yourself, and where to get it done when | | | | needs regrinding or replacing. |
| you can't. | | | | To regrind it you need a thick sheet of flat glass - |
| Sharp tools save you effort, and doing your own | | | | an old car side screen from a breaker's yard is |
| sharpening saves you money. The one essential | | | | fine - and some carborundum powder. Lay the |
| piece of equipment for sharpening cutting tools is | | | | glass flat and spread it with a paste of the |
| an oilstone. A suitable one won't cost a fortune | | | | powder and water. |
| and with care it should last a lifetime. | | | | Rub the stone around, checking the surface |
| One of the most popular items to invest in is an | | | | frequently. Continue until the paste clings evenly |
| oilstone. As the name implies, oilstones were | | | | to the whole surface, then check again with the |
| originally just pieces of natural stone - often | | | | steel rule. |
| named after the district in which they occurred, | | | | To maintain the stone in good order, it's best to |
| such as Washita or Arkansas. | | | | keep it in a wooden oilstone box. This will stop |
| Although such stones are still available, they are | | | | dust from contaminating the surface and prevent |
| extremely expensive. Most modern oilstones are | | | | it from being chipped. |
| artificial composites. They are made in different | | | | The same applies to taking take of your work |
| grades but unless you have a lot of sharpening to | | | | wear. Look after and care for your personal |
| do the most useful is a combination stone, coarse | | | | protection equipment and it will hopefully look |
| on one side, fine on the other. | | | | after you. |
| Stones must be used with a lubricant to stop the | | | | In summary I believe it is always worth keeping |
| blade overheating and the stone from clogging. | | | | your tools in tip top condition. Spending a little time |
| Except with coarse natural stone, where water is | | | | maintaining your work tools and workwear can |
| the lubricant, use a fine oil, such as a light machine | | | | save you so much time. Remember people, like |
| oil. If it is necessary to thin the oil down, use | | | | my grandfather always used to say measure |
| paraffin. | | | | twice cut once. |
| After buying a new stone, steep it in a bath of | | | | |