renewing the edge of old flints

[Catchem]

I read somewhere that a Dremel motor tool can be used to regrind a flint when it's useful life is over. I recently got my very own drill press! Not a big deal for many of us but it's the first 'bench tool' I've ever had. Drilling holes in a stock with a hand drill is a very chancy chore, as I have had lots of opportunity to find out.

So, can I use this drill press to regrind a flint? If so, keep your explanation simple, you're talking to an amateur here.

[pathfinder]

I wouldn't untill you get a little more experiance with the tool,AND you need a diamond coated grinding bit in the Dremal tool and HIGH speed.

[Hank in WV]

And a dust mask

[Catchem]

Dang.  
I guess I wrote poorly.  I HAVE a drill press, not a Dremel, and would like to find out if I can use the drill press to 'resharpen' my old flints.  They're black English and almost become a part of me as I use them and I hate to see them go (Also I'm cheap).

[rickevans]

Are you asking if you can put a fresh edge on your flints by using a drum sander attachment on your drill press?

[cb]

Why not just knap them? - it's easy, no mess no fuss and they don't even need to be removed from the lock. As to doing it with a diamond impregnated tool with a Dremel or drill press or by hand on a diamond sharpening "stone" - it can be done but again why. In over 50 years shooting flinters the  only time I use a diamond tool on a flint is to wear down those that overly humped.

[rickevans]

Yep. While I don't have as many years into this hobby as Pathfinder...

Just knap a new edge. Pretty easy once someone shows you how...

[Gordon H.Kemp]

I have to agree with cb .
to use a diamond cutting tool to make the flint fit the jaws better is fine , but (I think) a knapped edge holds-up better then a ground edge . As to economics , (I think) the white R.P. Mo. flints workas well as the black english and are a little cheaper .

[pathfinder]

I've got a couple of buddy's who grind new edges that way,easier to knap! He' also wipes "Sparky Stuff" on his frizzen before he shoot's! At least that's what he SAY'S he's doing as he's wiping the frizzen before a shot. I alway's grin when he say's that.


Ps,he's one HECK of a smoothbore shooter!

[rickevans]

I am gonna save all that "Sparky Stuff" next time I am in the forge and using the grinder...evidently there may be a market for it!

[cb]

The RP (aka Rich Pierce) flints are very good but the last time I checked with Rich, he has had to take a step or two back from making them for various reasons.

[pathfinder]

I am gonna save all that "Sparky Stuff" next time I am in the forge and using the grinder...evidently there may be a market for it!

The first time he said it,I darn near passout from laughing! The gentelman who said it is one of those straight faced guy's you wouldn't expect it from!

[Bison Horn]

The RP (aka Rich Pierce) flints are very good but the last time I checked with Rich, he has had to take a step or two back from making them for various reasons.

Darn hate to hear that cause he has some good flints!

[Catchem]

Help straighten me out -

I shoot maybe 25 times with a good flint without problems, I then knap a new edge, but that only lasts maybe 8 or 10 more shots, and then I get nothing, no matter how much I re-knap. My idea is that IF I then take the flint and put a new edge on it by grinding , I will be able to use it for another sequence.

But is it possible to do this, at all? I had hopes that the drill press might open up new possibilities, but as I said initially, I don't know much about drill presses.

Thanks to all for your comments.

[R.M.]

I doubt the DP will have enough speed to make a diamond bit work properly.