The official definition of the grit levels of sandpaper
goes something like this:

40-60 coarse
80-120 medium
280-320 extra fine
360-600 super fine

The highest number I've found is the 600.

But in several references to waterstones I've seen
the numbers 1000 and higher, maybe even
3000. If this is on the same scale as above,
it would imply that the waterstones are much
finer than "super fine". Can this be right?

My question is: Is the same grit scale applied to
waterstones and sandpaper or do waterstones
have their own scale?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm considering
trying to sharpen my tools with sandpaper (the
Scary Sharp method).

Here's a chart that explains all the grit numbers:
http://www.nortonconsumer.com/pdfs/GenInfo2004.pdf

JeffB

Zaster Sap wrote:

The official definition of the grit levels of sandpaper
goes something like this:

40-60 coarse
80-120 medium
280-320 extra fine
360-600 super fine

The highest number I've found is the 600.

But in several references to waterstones I've seen
the numbers 1000 and higher, maybe even
3000. If this is on the same scale as above,
it would imply that the waterstones are much
finer than "super fine". Can this be right?

My question is: Is the same grit scale applied to
waterstones and sandpaper or do waterstones
have their own scale?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm considering
trying to sharpen my tools with sandpaper (the
Scary Sharp method).

The reason I'm asking is because I'm considering
trying to sharpen my tools with sandpaper (the
Scary Sharp method).

I understand waterstones and diamond stones do have different scales
and they don't cross exactly.

I use scary sharp on my planes and they are sharp, it's easy to do.
But the experts (jay greer, Steve Knight) say waterstones will get you
sharper.

Alan

Same grit will give you the same scratch size, which is what sharpening is
about. Waterstones might get you there faster, powered waterstones faster
still. Speed counts more as an end to a sharpening cycle than as a hone
between cycles.

Stropping gives you the finest scratches, not honing. Not sure -
meaningless anyway - what "grit" it is, but Chromium Oxide compound makes a
fine strop, with powered strop more rapid than manual.

"Alan W" wrote in message
om...

The reason I'm asking is because I'm considering
trying to sharpen my tools with sandpaper (the
Scary Sharp method).

I understand waterstones and diamond stones do have different scales
and they don't cross exactly.

I use scary sharp on my planes and they are sharp, it's easy to do.
But the experts (jay greer, Steve Knight) say waterstones will get you
sharper.

Alan

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 07:35:41 -0400, "George" george@least wrote:

Same grit will give you the same scratch size, which is what sharpening is
about. Waterstones might get you there faster, powered waterstones faster
still. Speed counts more as an end to a sharpening cycle than as a hone
between cycles.

Unfortunately, waterstone grits do not compare directly to sandpaper
grits. Sandpaper can even be graded with different scales.

From
http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=shop&file=articles_244.shtml:

"There is little disagreement that one should sharpen to at least P800
(for comparison, a 1000 grit Japanese water stone equals FEPA P800 and
CAMI 500 in abrasive sheets). Not everyone agrees how much beyond P800
is necessary. As a point of comparison, a 6000 grit Japanese water
stone is equivalent to CAMI 1500 abrasive paper which is a third the
particle size of FEPA P2000 paper. Some people recommend continuing to
P2000 in abrasive paper and then stropping, while others stop at grits
coarser than P2000 and then strop."

Somewhere out there are comparison charts between the stone grades,
American sandpaper grades, and European sandpaper grades. I don't
have time to track it down right now.

Barry

You are, of course referring to the meaningless numbers, rather than the
actual grit, I take it?

Same grit - same scratch, regardless of how produced. I think we get hung
up an awful lot on the micrometer business, when we ought to be result
oriented.


"B a r r y" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 07:35:41 -0400, "George" george@least wrote:

Same grit will give you the same scratch size, which is what sharpening
is
about. Waterstones might get you there faster, powered waterstones
faster
still. Speed counts more as an end to a sharpening cycle than as a hone
between cycles.

Unfortunately, waterstone grits do not compare directly to sandpaper
grits. Sandpaper can even be graded with different scales.

From

http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/r...le=articles_24
4.shtml:

"There is little disagreement that one should sharpen to at least P800
(for comparison, a 1000 grit Japanese water stone equals FEPA P800 and
CAMI 500 in abrasive sheets). Not everyone agrees how much beyond P800
is necessary. As a point of comparison, a 6000 grit Japanese water
stone is equivalent to CAMI 1500 abrasive paper which is a third the
particle size of FEPA P2000 paper. Some people recommend continuing to
P2000 in abrasive paper and then stropping, while others stop at grits
coarser than P2000 and then strop."

Somewhere out there are comparison charts between the stone grades,
American sandpaper grades, and European sandpaper grades. I don't
have time to track it down right now.

Barry

The 600+ grits are hiding at your local auto supply store in the paint
section.

"Zaster Sap" wrote in message
...



The highest number I've found is the 600.

Actually automotive paint stores carry grits in the 2000-4000 range. These
grits really bring out the shine on a freshly paintesd surface.


But in several references to waterstones I've seen
the numbers 1000 and higher, maybe even
3000. If this is on the same scale as above,
it would imply that the waterstones are much
finer than "super fine". Can this be right?

I have an 8000 grit water stone. It'l put a mirror finish on a chisel.


My question is: Is the same grit scale applied to
waterstones and sandpaper or do waterstones
have their own scale?

No. they are all rated differently.

The reason I'm asking is because I'm considering
trying to sharpen my tools with sandpaper (the
Scary Sharp method).

"Zaster Sap" wrote in message . ..

The official definition of the grit levels of sandpaper
goes something like this:

40-60 coarse
80-120 medium
280-320 extra fine
360-600 super fine

The highest number I've found is the 600.

As others have mentioned paint and automotive stores carry much
higher grits than that. Also, Lee Valley has PSA-backed 3M
microfinishing film in 15, 5 and 0.5 micron which are supposedly
equivalent to 1000, 2500 and 9000 grits. I don't know if they are
equivalent or not, but I do know that I've been using the film for
several years now, and my edge-tools seem to be sharper and to hold an
edge better than when I was just using plain old SiC wet-dry paper.

I attach the film to granite surface plates and keep it out on my
old modified w*rkm*tt, so it's just a matter of taking a few steps
over to the bench to touch up an edge.

There are also some other companies online that sell a variety of
films, etc. Precision Surfaces International
(http://www.psidragon.com/) is one I've dealt with, and there is
another company that's even cheaper, but I can't seem to find their
site right now.


Chuck Vance

http://www.ketone.com/

carries 2000 grit!

Alex

"AArDvarK" wrote in message news:EPPAc.2639$5t2.1936@fed1read01...

http://www.ketone.com/

carries 2000 grit!

Alex


.... sorry that is to say 2500 grit.
Alex