Balsa Hone

[AllenG]

I was moving some bins around in the basement and realized I had a few 1x4 planks of balsa left over from a past project, so I squared up an eight inch length and I've got a new addition to my honing box.

May I ask for recommendations on lapping paste?

 

[Legion]

I use CrOx. Be careful the balsa doesn't expand and contract with the atmosphere. It can do that and effect the flatness with a big piece like that.

 

[AllenG]

I ran it through my planer so I know it is dead flat today. I guess I could lap it with some 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around a DMT block before each use.

 

[PapaFish]

If it's flat now, it's likely good enough. I use 0.3 micron CrOx and like it a lot. Others use diamond, CBN, and a host of other pastes. The advantage of CrOx is it's cheap. The disadvantage, it will stain like no other!

 

[Giant Kiwi]

Any good sources for crox?

 

[PapaFish]

Although the page is not loading for me at the moment, this is a link to Kremer Pigments. They sell 0.3 micron CrOx in quantities. They even have a data sheet so you can see what you are getting. Just a little bit mixed with some mineral oil and applied to the balsa works great. It helps smooth out a not-so-smooth edge or bring an 8K edge up a big notch. If you are just getting it for yourself, the smallest quantity should suffice. I don't know how much their shipping would be as I have never ordered through them (I got mine through Larry at WhippedDog.com).

 

[Giant Kiwi]

Cheers

 

[AllenG]

Although the page is not loading for me at the moment, this is a link to Kremer Pigments. They sell 0.3 micron CrOx in quantities. They even have a data sheet so you can see what you are getting. Just a little bit mixed with some mineral oil and applied to the balsa works great. It helps smooth out a not-so-smooth edge or bring an 8K edge up a big notch. If you are just getting it for yourself, the smallest quantity should suffice. I don't know how much their shipping would be as I have never ordered through them (I got mine through Larry at WhippedDog.com).

Thank you so much for that link. I ordered some CrOx, but more importantly for me I've been looking for a good source of pigments for my alternative process photography.

 

[Slash McCoy]

And I need some pigments for coloring gel-coat. The stuff you buy from West Marine is like $9 for a little tube that colors maybe a quart of resin.

 

[Kentos]

I ran it through my planer so I know it is dead flat today. I guess I could lap it with some 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around a DMT block before each use.

You can try kerfing the bottom to discourage any warping. Typically 1/4 inch is used since it seems stay relatively flat come high or low humidity.

I like CBN sprays personally.