Having embarked on my first mauser project, a field grade hunting rifle for my dads birthday, I have a question on polishing things up. I know I need to keep the fine stones wet while polishing,but what about the crystalon/india stone I am using first to get rid of the scratches and rest of the crest? Any suggestions on how to polish the curves of the shroud? Thanks ahead for the help, this could get addictive, just tearing it down and cleaning the bolt was fun.

Kevin---

Do you have my polishing files?? If not send me an email and I'll forward.

I use auto tranny fluid with a shot of mineral spirits or Stoddard's solvent on all stones. Clean the gunk out of them with brake clean.

The best way I have found to clean stones is to sneak them into the dishwasher when your wife isn't looking.

Mark---

Brake Clean is cheaper than divorce....

Trust me.

There are mold and diemaker supply houses that sell stoning oil. It does not have a bad odor and is not unpleasant to use. The two companies that I know are Congress Supply and Gessweins. Both have lots of neat tools of interest to people that work on guns or other things made of finely finished metal parts. Stones, files, neat little holders, other abrasives, hard-to-find stuff. Sorry, don't have addresses handy but a search may find them.

Thanks for the files Jack. What are the specifics on the file you use for draw filing?

Kevin---

My favorite draw files are 8" Simons mill bastards that, I *think* would be called a "pillar" file.

One edge is square and one convex and all surfaces are parrallel.

I have at least two dozen of them scattered around the shop. Some have had the square edge ground safe.

I can't remember using anything but these files and something similar in a 4" needle file, for drawfiling in the last 25 years.

I have a friend who is the best at sharpening a knife that I have ever seen.

He uses, and I have tried and it works, a mixture of 30 wt motor oil and kerosene.
The kerosene cleans and the oil is there to keep it from running through the stone.

For a carborundum stone the mixture is about 3 parts kerosene to one part oil

Med India is about 4/1.

In general use about 70 - 75% kerosene. He said that Marvel oil is pretty well the right mixture.

It works well for me and is cheap.
I don't intend to ever buy "honing oil" again.
Jerry

More to filing and stoning than oil and straight files, square stones, and safe edges. Look at Jacks pics, and read his files. Years of practice pay off. Knowing how much pressure to apply, developing the skills to keep the tool flat on the surface, knowing when to card (more than you think, trust me).
I've tried it, not bad, but not Jacks work either.

And thanks again for the files Jack.