How do you make a flint flat on top?

[Stubert]

I remember reading a couple of posts about using a dremmel tool to grind the bump off the top of flints so they are flat. I don't remember what type of bit was used. I just spent $9.00 on a tungsten bit that doesn't do anything. If you remember, please tell me. I don't want to buy more bits I can't use. Thanks, Stubert

 

[FJTBONE]

Stubert, I have used a diamond wheel with good results. Tbone

 

[David W.]

I think it was ebiggs that made a fixture to hold "hump back" flints. Could be wrong!

 

[rich pierce]

Buy them that way!

 

[rafterob]

I must say all the flints I received from Mr. Pierce are nice and flat. Also, that rig that ebiggs put together is the Bomb! Buying them flat would be the easiest route though.

 

[David W.]

Buy them that way!

LOL! I should be buying from you! I will be soon. Need contact info. You can PM me if neccesary.

 

[tg]

Often you can set them on the edge and strike the point off with a soft metal punch or dulled 16 penny nail, just knapping from another direction, it helps to have a piece of wood to set them on and snother piece to keep them upright.it takes a while to get the angle/position right but it will work at times.

 

[roundball]

Dremel Diamond Cutter (grinding) wheel is what I use...first tried "Mizzy Wheels" and then these Diamond cutting wheels...the diamond cutting wheels worked better / faster than Mizzy Wheels for me, but mizzy wheels do work.

I got the diamond cutting wheels at WidgetSupply.com...they were in the category of burrs & cutters, not 'grinders'...don't think they have any in stock now but they should be available somewhere”¦or Mizzy Wheels at jewelry supply.
http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/dremel-diamond-wheel-1/BDL34

 

[ebiggs1]

The biggest single thing you can do to get longer flint life is to make them flat. This enables you to clamp them down securely and exactly where you want them. I always seem to get “hump back” flints whenever I order some so I came up with this little jig. You will need a small tile cutting saw like the one I use for installing back splashes in the kitchens I remodel. It is pretty cheap but works well.

Before

After

Jig

Whether you use my method or any other grinding method you must not breath the flint dust so be cautious.

 

[Fishhog]

I have a whole box of mizzy's they work well but to just flatten the top get an xtra coarse diamond hone.Little water on it and stroke the flint while holding the hone stillquick easy and precise..Ray

 

[vietnam71]

Buy them that way!

Rich as soon as your shoulder is healed I'm ordering a bunch from you. :bow:

 

[hanshi]

Ya' know, ebiggs; you're da man! I'm just gonna have to make me one of those contraptions. That has to be the most convenient and easiest way to flatten a flint I ever saw.

 

[bwhoffman]

Cool!
Another use for my little tile wet saw!

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I just have the old lady step on them. :haha:

 

[hanshi]

Yep, got one of those saws, too. Time to get busy. :grin:

 

[rfcbuf]

Ray: where do you buy an extra course diamond hone? What do they cost?

 

[Fishhog]

Look for DMT diamond hone/files on fleabay.Get the black dotted ones extra coarse also look ,some are two sided some not.Look around some can be had for 15 to 20 bucks.Ray

 

[rfcbuf]

Do you just hand rub the flints on the extra course hone or is some kind of machine needed?

 

[Fishhog]

File on bench top a few drops of water and hand rub it using the bench top to hold your file/hone keep it wet..Ray

 

[Jim Evans]

I use the Dremel EZ 545 diamond wheel,it a 1 1/2 " dia. and it will do a quick job of taking the hump off,they also have the Dremel 545 in 7/8".