[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking.

Baren Digest              Saturday, 15 August 1998      Volume 04 : Number 245

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 16:55:01 +0900
Subject: [Baren 1384] One-point lesson 

Here is this week's 'One-point' lesson (contributed by David Bull)

********** ********** **********

(#18)  Making sharpening stones for curved chisels ...

A previous entry (#16) discussed making one's own sharpening stones for
curved gouges and chisels.  This time we'll see how to make the stones
for that final dressing step in sharpening - removing the 'burr' on the
_inside_ of such gouges.

Although it is technically possible to remove the burr by using just the
edges and corners of a normal rectangular sharpening stone, the job is
much easier if one has a collection of small 'slips' of the proper
shape.  To make these, start with a fine grit man-made stone of standard
rectangular shape (a 'shiage-to'), and use a fine-bladed hacksaw to cut
a one centimetre slice from one end.  

For the next step use a concrete block (or alternatively some sandpaper
placed on a hard and flat surface).  Rub the freshly cut face of this
small piece of sharpening stone against the abrasive surface until it is
evenly beveled - one end of the slice should end up about 9mm thick, and
the other end about 3mm.  Then hold the slice vertically and roll the
ends against the concrete in such a manner that each end of the slice is
rounded off to an even 'U'-shape.  (Do all these rubbing steps with
plenty of water splashed onto the concrete block)

When the desired shape has been reached, clean up any scratches by
dressing the stone against a regular flat finishing stone (always with
plenty of water).  Your new stone is then ready for use; the 3mm end
will remove the burr on the inside of gouges from 3mm~9mm in size, and
the 9mm end will do so for gouges from 9mm up.

Slipstones to be used for the inside of 'V'-gouges are made in the same
fashion.  After slicing another similar piece from the original
sharpening stone, rub the four long edges against the concrete block in
such a way that the slice is turned into a long and thin diamond shape
(when viewed end on).  As you rub, watch carefully and stop when the
developing bevels meet each other, forming a sort of 'knife edge' on
each side of the slip.  It is this thin edge that is used to remove the
burr from inside a V-gouge.  

Unless you drop and break them, these tools will last your lifetime ...

********** ********** **********

Next week,  a little dab'll do ya  ...

These 'One-point' lessons are being collected into a section in the
[Baren] Encyclopedia of Woodblock Printmaking.
http://www.woodblock.com/encyclopedia/updates.html

Contributions from experienced printmakers for future 'One-pointers' 
are eagerly solicited.

------------------------------

End of Baren Digest V4 #245
***************************