Hey everyone! I came across some info about using a Lie-Nielsen honing guide and it mentioned that you shouldn't use it with diamond stones because the loose grit can wear out the wheel. But I'm curious—don't ceramic and oil stones also produce grits that could get into the bearings and cause wear? I mean, those ceramic grits seem like they could be abrasive too, right? I'm thinking about just running the honing guide on some thin plastic sheets and cleaning the wheel after each session. What do you all think?
3 Answers
I’ve used honing guides on all kinds of stones. They generally won’t wear the wheel surface too much since the wheel rolls, but yes, some slurry can still get into the bearings, so keep it oiled! As long as you apply even pressure, it should run smooth. Plus, Lie-Nielsen has replacement rollers if you ever need them. It's a tool, it will wear a bit over time, but you should still get many years of good use out of it without overthinking it!
Yeah, diamonds do wear the wheel out quicker, but it's a slow process. You could look into replacing the wheel if it gets too worn down. Using those plastic sheets sounds unique, but could be a hassle.
There is some wear and potential clogging, but you can avoid a lot of issues by cleaning the wheel regularly after each use. Staying on top of maintenance helps.
Totally agree! Regular maintenance is key. I only pull out my jig for really messed-up tools or heavy reshaping, so mine has lasted forever.