Eze-Lap diamond file opinions please?

[Wuffles]

I've killed yet another Trend credit card sharpening diamond stone thingy. They've (Trend) replaced one already as the diamonds delaminated and basically left me with a shiny credit card sized piece of steel.

So, this time I thought I'd try something different. Looking at the Eze-Lap 600 grit files, anyone use these for sharpening router bits, or am I on a hiding to nothing.

Cheers.

 

[Sparktrician]

Can you get DMT Sharpening equipment in the UK? 

Edit: Their equipment is available from Axminster and Amazon UK. 

 

[Wuffles]

Can you get DMT Sharpening equipment in the UK? 

Edit: Their equipment is available from Axminster and Amazon UK.

Are they better? They're certainly a lot more money than the Eze-Lap stuff I was looking at on eBay. The thing is the guy selling the Eze-Lap hasn't even heard of Trend, so I'm not convinced he will know if the stones are any good.

 

[Sparktrician]

Can you get DMT Sharpening equipment in the UK? 

Edit: Their equipment is available from Axminster and Amazon UK.

Are they better? They're certainly a lot more money than the Eze-Lap stuff I was looking at on eBay. The thing is the guy selling the Eze-Lap hasn't even heard of Trend, so I'm not convinced he will know if the stones are any good.

I've not used the Eze-Lap, so I can't give an objective A/B result comparison.  I will say that they work well in my shop, taking dings out of plane irons and chisels with ease, and leaving a very sharp edge when I get to extra-fine.  I suppose that I could get the edges even finer using Japanese water stones, but I just don't see a need right now.  One thing that seems to make sense to me is that they don't seem to "dish" the way that real stones seem to do over time. 

 

[Wuffles]

Can you get DMT Sharpening equipment in the UK? 

Edit: Their equipment is available from Axminster and Amazon UK.

Are they better? They're certainly a lot more money than the Eze-Lap stuff I was looking at on eBay. The thing is the guy selling the Eze-Lap hasn't even heard of Trend, so I'm not convinced he will know if the stones are any good.

I've not used the Eze-Lap, so I can't give an objective A/B result comparison.  I will say that they work well in my shop, taking dings out of plane irons and chisels with ease, and leaving a very sharp edge when I get to extra-fine.  I suppose that I could get the edges even finer using Japanese water stones, but I just don't see a need right now.  One thing that seems to make sense to me is that they don't seem to "dish" the way that real stones seem to do over time.

Ah right ok. I'm ideally looking for TCT router sharpening stones/file(?) and the review of the DMT credit card file seems to give the same opinion of the Trend, in that it dulls very quickly. I expect your use is more the traditional larger length ones I already have in a cheapy waterstone for planes and what not.

The router bits tend to need something a little thinner to get into the profile, but you know that, sorry I'm waffling.

I wonder what people use for this, perhaps a thread subject change is in order.

 

[GarryMartin]

I have the Red (Fine) 600 grit EZE-LAP that I use to keep my router cutters in tip top condition. I'm not a heavy user, but so far I've had no problems with it. I've just looked back at my email, and I've had it a couple of years if that helps.

 

[Wuffles]

Cheers Garry.

Does it look like this one?

 

[GarryMartin]

Yes mate, exactly like that. The end is tapered which helps get in to some bits more easily. The diamonds are on a metal plate which is in turn glued to the plastic.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Wuffles]

Bingo.

I was using WD40 with the Trend ones (or you can buy Trend lapping fluid) but on two different cards the TCT has just taken the diamonds right off it after only a few goes.

I might just be a bit heavy handed so will take it easy on one of these and see how I get on.

If you have a beauty routine you wish to share for your bits please do. I can't believe I typed that either  [eek]

 

[GarryMartin]

Nothing special.

I clean my bits with a toothbrush and WD40 (after removing the bearings if applicable). Once they're clean, I lightly run the flats of the cutters over the diamond file 5-10 times on each flat. If possible, I run the cutter over the file rather than bringing the file to the cutter, and that's usually best achieved by holding the file flat on the edge of a worksurface and then just running the cutter flats alongside it. That's obviously easier for straight cutters, less so for coves and roundovers etc.

A little water or WD40 (or some other light oil) on the diamond file is necessary - they shouldn't be used dry.

 

[Doug S]

I had two of the full size trend diamond sharpening stones and the diamonds came off those in no time, absolute rubbish  [mad]

Doug

 

[aas]

I've been using DMT for many years, very good.
For curved router bits I have a diamond honing cone.

 

[Cheese]

Am also a big fan of DMT, I use them wet and in a pinch I can also use them dry.

[member=20162]Wuffles[/member]
Got a notice from Woodpeckers and they are now selling M.Power diamond products, I believe they're made in England. I own the M.Power sharpening set and am very satisfied with it. Just another option for you. [big grin] It also has a 3 year warranty...

http://www.woodpeck.com/mprouterbitsharpener.html?_bta_tid=3.h1M.CBa18g.FlBf.AVOmmw..AqewWA.b..l.BtDZ.a.Vb5FiA.Vb5FiA.PX3wcQ&_bta_c=expb7gr0vrmomwkdwjuclg2jy1xv0

 

[Wuffles]

Nothing special.

I clean my bits with a toothbrush and WD40 (after removing the bearings if applicable). Once they're clean, I lightly run the flats of the cutters over the diamond file 5-10 times on each flat. If possible, I run the cutter over the file rather than bringing the file to the cutter, and that's usually best achieved by holding the file flat on the edge of a worksurface and then just running the cutter flats alongside it. That's obviously easier for straight cutters, less so for coves and roundovers etc.

A little water or WD40 (or some other light oil) on the diamond file is necessary - they shouldn't be used dry.

That's pretty much what I do, and with [member=34680]Doug S[/member] chirping in about the Trends falling apart it does make me feel slightly better about the quality of the item vs. my heavy handed idiocy.

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] Looked at the list of dealers for the M.Power and one of them is...Trend UK! Hurray. In fact, better than that, they're re-branding it as their own. http://www.trenddirectuk.com/dc-rc-fc-diamond-cross-router-cutter-sharpener-fine-coarse.html - OR, more sinister, that's the brand name they've adopted in the US as BMW would stomp all over them here if they went around calling themselves M.Power  [unsure]

I'll try the Eze-Lap one as it's a fiver, if all else fails I might take up a battle with Trend (they're pretty good for that) about their product yet again failing and see if they'll send me one of the other ones to try instead. And when they tell me to shove off I can give the DMT a try.

Cheers all.