Pro-Filer Stone Maintenance

I use a Pro-Filer hand-held skate sharpener exclusively to sharpen my blades.

Over time, the fine-grit stone looses its ability to hone because of steel swarf that builds up on it. All power grinding wheels are similarly impacted, but they are frequently refreshed with a dressing tool. I have several power grinders for tending to household and woodshop needs, and I have some diamond grit dressing tools for maintaining the grinder wheels. These cost around $10. I decided to try one of them for the Pro-Filer fine stone.

Here is a shot of a brand-new Pro-Filer fine-grit stone for 3/8" ROH.

New...



After a couple of years of use, it was taking longer to fine-hone my blade after the coarse diamond unit had rough-sharpened it. There was definitely a build up of dirty swarf on the surface. I took apart the fine-stone Pro-Filer unit by driving out a pin that holds the stone in place. I used a long stem punch for doing that.

Needs Cleaned!...



I took a diamond dressing tool meant for dressing rotary grinding wheels, and placed it flat on the workbench surface. With the stone removed, I rolled it toward the dressing tool while my right hand (not shown, it was taking the picture!) grasped the dressing tool. I slid the dressing tool back and forth across the stone's surface as it rolled toward the tool. I held a modest amount of pressure against the stone's motion with the diamond dressing tool.

Cleaning Motion...



Here's the swarf that came off of the stone's surface after a few revolutions...



I didn't remove much stone material, and the stone fit the Pro Filer handle about the same as before. In use, I couldn't detect that it was any smaller in diameter because the fit is loose in the holder anyway.

When reinstalled and used, I could tell that it cut better by the sound of the stone over the blade, and the reduced time needed to polish out the grooves left by the coarse stone.

The coarse stone doesn't appear to collect steel swarf like the fine stone. The space between diamond grits is large enough that it doesn't build up.  I was able to clean the diamond wheel dresser using a paper towel and some water. It will get dull after years of use though, and cleaning won't help that.

Alternative methods: It's likely that some really coarse sandpaper would work for cleaning the stone. Maybe a 60 or 80 grit would be appropriate. When it loads (clogs) with swarf, move to a new spot on the sandpaper.

Work to do: Measure the before-and-after diameter of the fine honing stone. I didn't do it this time, but I am curious how much the diameter changes. My feeling is that it isn't much but I'd like numbers. Because this procedure was performed after 6 years of usage, it probably won't be measured anytime soon.

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