This video will be useful to you whether you are considering purchase of a new or used machine, or just want to know how to look after, tune up, or even just check out your own machines. You'll also learn how to adjust and lubricate both types of machines, so this video is valuable even if you have a lathe or a milling machine already. Sharpening scrapers wears grooves in the surface of the combination stones typically used for this task. Eventually the stone will become virtually useless, unless the surface is dressed flat again. For that reason, Dennis also shows how to restore a bench oilstone to as-new condition on a cast iron lapping plate.
Cast iron lapping plates are expensive, and hard to find.
We therefore made an arrangement to be able to supply you with a diamond lapping plate that can be use to lap abrasive stones flat. The ones we offer are flat, durable, and very effective. A number of old abrasive stones occupy a drawer in my basement workshop. One of these belonged to my wife's grandfather. My own opinion of it was that it was barely worth the effort required to throw it out of the window into the garden.