Is it possible to use too much pressure on diamond stones?

L

lerner

Joined
Sep 1, 2008
Messages
125
(OK diamonds arent on stones but you know...)

I recently read "diamond stones require a light touch; too hard breaks the diamonds off". Can someone confirm this?

I've used very coarse diamond stones (DMT, Lansky) in lieu of a bench grinder. I pressed as hard as I would with natural stones, rather hard, because I was mainly interested in stock removal (i.e. rebeveling). They seemed no better than arkansas/SiC/AlO stones.

So, have you ever destroyed a diamond stone/hone?
Using a light touch seems counter to the purpose of coarse grinding.
 
You can damage diamond stones. Light pressure.....let the stones do the work.
 
Yes, I have ruined several diamond hones using too much pressure. The diamonds don't break off, they cut their way out of the nicklel plating used to bond them to the base plate. Your natural stones and carborundum stones will last longer and stay flatter if you keep your pressure light as well.
 
The DMT XXC 120 micron dia-sharp will get-er-done. The others are girly stones in comparison.

Anyway, DMT instructions say use a light touch to help preserve the diamonds.
 
Fast enough for what? If you are in that much of a hurry, a belt sander works pretty good.
 
If you're re-profiling the blade, use a coarse stone. Diamond stones eat through steel pretty quickly, there's no need to be heavy-handed. Easy does it.
 
It's true, I have ruined a diamond stone using tones of pressure, but I switched to a belt grinder, it's much easier and faster.
 
I ruined several diamond sharpeners before I ever heard that I wasn't supposed to bear down on them. I replaced most of them, use a lighter touch, and they now cut like... well, like diamonds!

Stitchawl
 
Yes, the diamonds will break if you bear down on them. Diamonds are hard, but brittle. You can also dislodge them from the nickel plating with too much pressure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top