diamond files and water

[jw 1111]

Hi, I have some diamond coated flat files that I use quite often. When in a
department store in japan last year, someone there was demonstrating a
diamond coated knife sharpener like a flat file that he was using to sharpen
knives. He kept applying water to this sharpener. I could not ask why since
he did not speak english.

Do you think this was really necessary, and if so what purpose would it have
served?

[H***@nospam.nix]

Post by jw 1111
Hi, I have some diamond coated flat files that I use quite often. When in a
department store in japan last year, someone there was demonstrating a
diamond coated knife sharpener like a flat file that he was using to sharpen
knives. He kept applying water to this sharpener. I could not ask why since
he did not speak english.
Do you think this was really necessary, and if so what purpose would it have
served?

Water or, better, cutting fluids help by keeping both the abrasive and the
object
cool, and by keeping the abrasive surface clean. You get a better cut and
extend
the life of the abrasive.

The same is done with carborundum wheels, hardened steel cutting tools, etc.

Yes, you can do it without the cutting fluid, but the result is better with
it.

[Don Bruder]

Post by jw 1111
Hi, I have some diamond coated flat files that I use quite often. When in a
department store in japan last year, someone there was demonstrating a
diamond coated knife sharpener like a flat file that he was using to sharpen
knives. He kept applying water to this sharpener. I could not ask why since
he did not speak english.
Do you think this was really necessary, and if so what purpose would it have
served?

Heat reduction (even though for hand-filing, that's usually not a major
issue, it's still a good idea to keep a tool as cool as possible to
prolong its useful life) and "floating" the removed mmaterial off the
tool's working surface - Ever notice how sandpaper "clogs up" and gets
useless, even though it's still good and scratchy? Those diamond widgets
do the same thing. Applying water while in use makes that less of a
problem, even if it doesn't fully prevent or completely cure it.

[Weatherlawyer]

Post by Don Bruder
Heat reduction (even though for hand-filing, that's usually not a major
issue, it's still a good idea to keep a tool as cool as possible to
prolong its useful life) and "floating" the removed mmaterial off the
tool's working surface - Ever notice how sandpaper "clogs up" and gets
useless, even though it's still good and scratchy? Those diamond widgets
do the same thing. Applying water while in use makes that less of a
problem, even if it doesn't fully prevent or completely cure it.

Diamond will stick to iron. The water stops it building up. It's
especially noticeable in disk grinders. Since diamond disks re so cheap
these days why not try wasting a couple? One using a light mist of
water the other dry.

[f***@webtv.net]

dunno, but water is also a lubricant, and a file dipped in water at
times while being used - files better and with less effort.

m h o
=A0v =83e

[Joe]

The water (in this case) simply keeps the metal pieces that are "shaved" off
by the diamond bits from clogging up the diamond matrix. It basically
cleans out the areas between the diamonds or keeps them from filling up,
thus allowing the tool to work at it's best.

Without water, you get a diamond and diamond-filed-metal impregnated file.

With higher speed tools, it serves this purpose as well as cools the tool
and the product. The "slurry" created also helps in the process of
re-working the material.

Joe in Northern, NJ - V#8013-R

Currently Riding The "Mother Ship"

Ride a motorcycle in or near NJ?
http://tinyurl.com/4zkw8
http://www.youthelate.com

Post by jw 1111
Hi, I have some diamond coated flat files that I use quite often. When in
a department store in japan last year, someone there was demonstrating a
diamond coated knife sharpener like a flat file that he was using to
sharpen knives. He kept applying water to this sharpener. I could not ask
why since he did not speak english.
Do you think this was really necessary, and if so what purpose would it
have served?