and Laboratory Methods. 



2653 



Effect of Various Hone-Stones on Edges of Steel Tools. 



There appears to be no published record of systematic or thorough examin- 

 ation of the results of action of novaculites, whetslates, grindstones or other 

 hones upon the edges of tools. The literature having any bearing in this direc- 

 tion seems to be limited to practical methods and processes in the application 

 of hones. But it is evident that, in the preparation of tools not only for the 

 mechanical arts but for microtome work, surgery, etc., the best results cannot be 

 hoped for, in ignorance of the exact effects of hones of various materials and 

 textures in their action on the edges of steel tools. 



In order to obtain satisfactory results through a preliminary reconnoissance 

 of this extensive subject — which is all that can be claimed for the work described 

 in this paper — it seemed advisable to confine my attention to the edges of one 

 simple kind of tool and to a limited series of hones. Through the Pike Manu- 

 facturing Company I was supplied with a duplicate series of fiat-faced chisels of 

 the same manufacture, form and size, honed with greatest care by an expert cutler. 



Fig. 1. 



This was well done and thus eliminated all exaggeration of defects caused by rough 

 or clumsy manipulation in application of the hones. The series of hones was 

 restricted to three : 



Hard Arkansas stone (A). 

 Lily-white Washita stone (W). 



Medium India hone (I), this last an artificial hone prepared from corundum. 

 These hones have been examined under the microscope and found to possess 

 the following peculiarities of texture. The letters in first column correspond to 

 the above three varieties. 



Hone. Size of Grains 



mm. 

 0.01-0.03 

 (2 5V0 - sk i"ch) 



W 



0.02 (^J^^ inch) 

 0.18 (j-io inch) 



Size of Cavities 



mm. 

 Few: 0.01-0.02 



Gtoo - TToTT inch) 



Many and connecting, 

 sometimes of rhombic form 

 0.20 (y^-5 inch) 

 0.05-0.15, averaging 

 0.11 (^ly inch). 



