Good insight, Don. =A0It would be interesting to know what method was
used for flattening the communal "rubbing stone," but without at the
same time knowing what that stone was made from, it might not be
relevant to our particular setups. Maybe it comes down to picking a
starting point and following up with practice and observation to find
what works?

I can't say I've found some magic number of strokes, but I'm
definitely more mindful of how I use my oilstones now than I was when
I bought them.=A0

While I haven't made the plunge yet, I plan at some point to buy one of
the large DMT plates for regular maintenance of my oilstones, as well as
for other lapping tasks related to my old tool affliction. I sure did
like my India stone much more once I dressed it with the coarse diamond
stone. =A0

Best Regards, Alex =A0

----- Original Message ----- From: Don Schwartz  To: Alex
Moseley 
Cc: "sparkler@e..." ; oldtools list
     Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012
    12:20 PM Subject: Re: [OldTools] Re: Flattening Benchstones

On 11/20/2012 10:37 AM, Alex Moseley wrote:


>=A0 Once you rehab a deeply dished oilstone, you might not want to do
>it again.
>


Quoting part of my own earlier post:

"it was great fun flattening stones, but I would prefer not to make a
hobby of it. So I'm interested in any technique that purports to keep
stones flat. This week I've read in two different sources of the need to
flatten a stone AFTER EVERY USE.

1. The Joyner and Cabinetmaker, refers to workmen being expected to
   flatten the communal 'rubbing stone' after using it, and being fined
   for failing to do so. Presumably that rubbing stone (as distinct from
   a hone) was a piece of sandstone used in preference to a wheel
   thereof, so it would likely wear pretty quick, like some waterstones.

2. David Charlesworth likewise says in A Guide to Hand Tools and Methods
   that the hone should be flattened after each use.

So, two sources ... suggesting this be done. It sounds a little tedious,
but I expect it might be like putting tools away after use (or digging a
garden) - easier done a little at a time....

Charlesworth also promotes a technique for flattening blades ... which
he says gets the job done and reduces hollowing at the same time.
Without going into detail, he has a very specific recipe for number and
direction of strokes crosswise of the stone, and the portion of stone to
use, followed by equally detailed specifications for lengthwise strokes.

FWIW Don

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