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#1 ·
Waterstones travel pond (fitted in a plastic box).

Water stones travel pond
fitted in a plastic box.

But MaFe did you not already make one pond?
Yes I did, but actually I made this one first, just did not like it when it was done, simply could not look at this red box while sharpening beautiful vintage tools or even worse Japanese plane irons full of Zen…
You can read more about the other pond here: http://lumberjocks.com/mafe/blog/26095 .

So this is why I made two, and this one will be used for storage of sharpening tools, and if I ever need to bring my stones with me it can come into use - most likely never.

I did choose to blog it due to the fact that others might be able to use the idea.


My Japanese wave came back with some new tools, but most interesting was that it brought me the Japanese sharpening stones I had wanted for a long time.


So first step was to gather the stuff I needed for the setup.
Stones, different boxes and some board.


I got these red boxes, thought the color was a little Japanese…


It had three compartments I needed only to so!


A piece of waterproof board to make a little table top.


Hardwood for edges to hold the water in the box.


Glue them in.


Step one completed.
Including storage for the stones.


And it fits inside when turned.


To make a portable solution for flattening the stones I cut up a piece of glass to fit the size of the stones.


Water sand paper grid 220 is cut into size.


Next step is to make bases for the stones.
You can see all the details in the other blog.


First a cut to make them stay.


My first idea was this, but I decided it was to complex, I wanted something more Japanese, more simple and beautiful.


This is what it ended up looking like.


The flattening stones will be stored in my sharpening station.


So this is what we end up with, ready for the road.


And a little Japanese inspired hammer to bang the wedges without damage the stones.


Hmmmmm - nice!

Hope this blog and this blog series can inspire others to look into the wonders of the Japanese tools and way of thinking,

Best thoughts,
Mads
 
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#3 ·
You just gave me an idea…

Not a sharpening station but an enclosure for my irrigation controller.
A ready made enclosure is about $36. A box similar to yours is around $5.
I have looked at all the containers I have but none fit. Never thought about my component box.

Thanks Mads!
 
#5 ·
Alex I think that would be a exelent idea. There are so many Systainer fans out there.
Smiles Ian, sometimes we look a different place than we expect when we find our ideas.
CJ, yabadabadoo.
Thank you guys,
Mads
 
#7 ·
nice idea Mads …. thank´s :)
I have never seen box´s with that hight .... 10 cm or ?..... where ?
can you hear I´m an isolated neanderthaler on a small island ….......... LOL
wuold have loved to lieve on Sjælland so cuold have tortured by twisting you arm around
every week on the clock for the lastet invention from the cave …..... but since its not possiple
you better take care and not overload the head trying to think tooo much unless your pibe is filled
with great tobac and fresh expresso in the mug …. the wyskey is to selebrate with not to think with :)

cheers to you old mate
Dennis
 
#10 ·
Dennis,
It is from Bauhaus and it was really cheap even it is a really good quality of plastic, so I was quite amazed.
I thought you were living in temptation island…

Roger, yes just where it's needed.

Smiles,
Mads
 
#17 ·
Workshop sharpening station - near at hand

Workshop sharpening station
near at hand

This post is from my un-posted folder.

In the new workshop I placed the water grinder in a different room than the work bench.
So I thought it would be nice with a close at hand sharpening station right next to the bench.


So here the new shop setup, all the tool right at hand.


Sharpening station with the pond and gear right at hand.
In the cabinet I keep all the different stones, jigs, oils and what else is needed for obtaining that sweet edge on the different types of tools.

The making of the pond can be seen here: http://lumberjocks.com/mafe/blog/26080
Here you can read more about my water grinder setup: http://lumberjocks.com/mafe/blog/series/3071


I start by soaking the stones, so they will be ready for the job.


Then it's just to choose the right stone and sharpen.


Also fine for a quick touch up with a loaded strop.


Especially when I do paring I want that razor sharp edge.

The edge can't be to sharp and the edge defines the tool.

Best thoughts,

Mads
 
#31 ·
Flattening water stones - silicon carbide flattening stone

Flattening water stones
silicon carbide flattening stone

I was asked how I flatten my water stones.
This is how.
It's just to buy a flattening stone, the silicon carbides are app half price and does a fine job.
I have never tried a diamond flattening plate, so I cant compare.


Here the Japanese NANIWA flattening stone.
This one for fine grits.
Just spray water to clean up and move the stone in circles.
Do it often, then it's not a tough job.


Easy to see how it goes on the bright colour stones.


That's it.


This one looks better.


And takes also few strokes to be flat.


Here on top of the pond.


On the dark colour stones, it can be fine to draw on the top with a marker, to see how it goes.


Back to working.

A flat stone for a straight edge.

Best thoughts,

Mads
 
#46 ·
Workshop sharpening station now

Workshop sharpening station
now

Some time back I posted a blog about my sharpening station, as with everything in my life, this station is a work in progress and so I thought it was time to post an update on how it looks after it has been in use for a while, since things tend to change from thought to use.


It is still placed right next to the workbench, this is for me the good spot, I can use the bench for extra space and I can make a quick touch up on a dull edge or just a hone to keep it razor sharp.


The basics are an old office cabinet, this just because it was free and made of wood…
Second after a while I added a board to the French cladding on the wall behind the station, this because I realized I needed the most used stones and gear close at hand.


The board is just plywood with different holders on it.


On the left a holder for the small stones, hollow, round, edge and so on, like this every type of iron can get sharp.
A tin can for markers, pencils and other stuff. I use markers when sharpening to make sure I hit the surface fast and not spend time grinding of more material than needed.
On the right a jewelers loupe to see check on the edge and traces of last grid and traces of burr.
Then guides, the classic Eclipse 36 is my favorite for straight edges and chisels, Record 161 for rounds since it rolls only at one wheel and finally the ugly Stanley that can hold on some shapes where the two others give up.
In general I use the guides when sharpening, where a touch up and stropping is done freehand.
Then a thin metal ruler for the back of plane irons and a wood hammer for the wedges that hold my stones in place. On the small shelf and under again more stones, Japanese and natural. I use water for lubrication, so the stones have been flattened down to remove oil if they were used with oil before.
I have to say I like natural stones the most, they just feel more right, but for sharpening I use all kinds, the choice is made from grid, shape and feel.


The cabinet.
As you can see I made small shelf's for each stone and holder and they are ordered by grid, 120 - 8000.
On the left a water container with white lid.


This is used to soak the stones in.


When Sharpening this water sprayer keeps the stones wet and the dirt of.
(Yes it is ugly, but it works so well I accept it - if I had running water at the pond, I would trash it).
The pond is still a favorite of mine, one of these things that really made sense to make.


Then in a box gloves, different oils, I like Camelia oil use it after sharpening, just a wee on a cloth to prevent rust and make it cut more easy.
Also the green paste for the honing strop, this is essential. I use the strop a lot, it just give this little extra in between sharpenings.


In the drawer… Extras and more.
Also the Lansky knife sharpening set, this I love still, even I become better and better at the water grinder so it slowly get less and less used.


Finally good luck, this was a gift from my daughter, when I get impatient I look at him and remind my self that I have only one life and that the quality of what I do is more important than what I do and how fast I do it.


What's on a mans mind?

Only one life, so do your best, not your most.
Hope it could inspire to some sharpening zen.

Best thoughts,

Mads
 
#47 ·
Nice to see a sharpening station set up so that it is convenient, and also meets the requirements of the user. Thoughtful addition by your daughter. ;)
When you have your sharpening equipment right where you need it, it makes it so much easier to keep those edges in top condition, and that leads to the quality results that we see you producing.
Nicely done Mads.
 
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