Reply To: Oilstone box

Yeah I’ll have to consider those end blocks for the next stone I get, if ever. Finally done up with my oilstone boxes. I’ve found out chopping the recesses gets easier once I’ve got a rhythm going. Got to learn a lot about handling the router plane too. I should’ve used a wooden base, and perhaps avoided deep gouges along the edges of the recess.

I went basic with this as I figured it’s an improvement no matter what versus keeping a nice stone just wrapped in a paper towel. I had another cheap SiC/AlO 8″ combination stone that was being kept in the original cardboard packaging so I made one for it too.

The smaller 5″ stone was a hand-down from my late father in law and I think despite its size it’s remarkably useful. I can’t identify it but it’s hard enough that it doesn’t dish yet despite many sharpenings now. It can raise a burr quickly if I use it aggresively, but can also produce a fine edge if I lighten the stroke. Only needs a strop after. I’d guess it’s a 600-800 geit from the scratch pattern. You can see the ends are in bad shape as I got it, so I think end blocks are not suitable.

On Paul’s blog he mentioned keeping a slightly loose fit for the lid and I figured you’d need to take out combination stones frequently to swap sides over so I went with that. I once got it so snug I had trouble taking out the test fit, hence I trimmed 1mm on two sides of the recess.