Sharpening Board for waterstones?

[Dissolve]

Hello,

I want to make a flat board to attach my float glass to and fix my waterstones in line next to them for easier storage/setup in the workshop.

I was thinking of using 18mm MDF and either gluing the float glass or creating two stops to prevent it moving out of strips of timber, same as the waterstones, just wedged in between timber strips..

Can anyone reccomend a better design/method to attach the float glass/waterstones to the board?

and also is MDF the best idea around water? What could I use on it to protect it from soaking uk water?

Thanks

 

[Peter Sefton]

I use an old Formica kitchen worktop I have had the same piece for several years, my water stones are between screwed batons and the glass sits on a non-slip mat alongside them. The Formica stays flat and is so easy to keep clean.

 

[Graham Orm]

I use an old chipboard melamine shelf from a kitchen cabinet. Clamped to the bench it's perfectly flat, works perfectly and is water proof. I defy you to prove to me that glass is significantly flatter...........Yes it will be flatter, but not so as you can measure, or enough to make a difference.

 

[Dangermouse]

I would not use plain MDF as that loves to soak up water and fall to pieces !

 

[David C]

I used to have battens but they got messy and stones vary in length. (Folding wedges can be used).

A placemat of sticky rubber from Dycem in Bristol works very well on kitchen surface, so long as you don't get too much water underneath.

Easy to keep everything clean. See my book 3 "Guide to Hand Tools and Methods", page 90.

David Charlesworth

 

[Muswell]

I used to use a non-slip rubber mat but now I use a wet J cloth which doesn't let the stone wobble at all.