Diamond plate base(s)
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- This topic has 5 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 3 months ago by STEVE MASSIE.
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I just bought 3 EZ-Lap diamond plates and plan to make base(s) for them in time for Springtime work outside my garage.
Meantime, I’m wondering whether to mount them all on one board as Paul does or to make separate bases.
I see advantages and disadvantages to each of these methods, but my main concern is with the single board. It seems that when honing the flat side of a plane iron or chisel on the center plate, you might be limited to holding the tool parallel with the long axis of the plate. If you hold the tool at an angle to the long axis, the far end or handle could easily bump up against the adjacent, outside plates.
I’d appreciate any views on this subject.
I made the single board. I can take out the center plate and put it in the left space when I have to hone the flat side of a plane or chisel. This is not something that needs to be done everyday so it is easy enough to work around.
The single board is handy as Paul’s design has a stop dadoed into the base and this holds the lot in a vice.
Individual boards would need holders of some kind. One handy thing is that you could make a lid for each to keep the dust off and maybe stack them.
30 January 2015 at 7:27 pm #124126I too have a single board. Since you only need to work the back of a chisel or blade on all the plates once, it isn’t too inconvenient. When everything is lapped it is much more convenient to have them 3 in a row and since the super fine is on the outside you can access easily for the burr removal after you’ve honed the face.
I am still looking for an alternative method to this for a portable tool kit, as the single board is an awkward shape for a chest. I’m leaning towards individual boxes with no slip shelf liner glued to the bottom, or cutting down to just two plates with a hinged box so when open they are side by side and when closed the faces are held apart by a piece of shelf liner in between.
31 January 2015 at 3:01 am #124141I discovered Paul Sellers when I stumbled on his video on YouTube on sharpening Aldis chisels with sandpaper. I saw that diamond stone tray and thought “brilliant!” and I was hooked on Paul.
Go for the single tray, its very convenient. It keeps your stones handy, in order from course to fine, and you can always take a stone out if you need more room. I put magnets in the bottom of the tray mortises so the stones are removable, but stay put. Makes cleaning up the water easier, too.
I went with a single board holder and am very satisfied with it. On the occasions when I need closer access to one of the plates. I just lift the board slightly and give it a blow with my chisel hammer and they’ll pop right out. I built a “drawer” arrangement underneath the front of my bench that holds the board/stones for easy access. My bench, though with some good features, does not allow the exact set-up of Paul’s bench – unfortunately! I built mine prior to discovering Paul’s videos. Next time……
31 January 2015 at 11:29 pm #124162I built mine as a single unit similar to Paul’s, I did use 3/4″ Baltic Plywood and put a couple coats of Poly on it to protect the wood from moisture. It was a fun project using a chisel and router plane.
Steve
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