How do you store your stones?

[Gregory27]

In a drawer on a drying mat, which really helps to keep them from sliding around. Not pictured, my travel kit, which has 3 stones in a large tablet bag. If I ever get my workshop set up in the basement, well, who knows. There'll be so much more room for activities.

[Jeff B]

On their edges on a nonslip mat on a wire shelf in the garage to make sure they get plenty of air circulation to promote even drying and not mold. Maybe they dry too fast and that's why my stones crack... I really don't know

If your garage isn't climate controlled it may very well be the reason your stones crack. If there is a big temperature difference in your garage and where you sharpen that can be a contributing factor too.

[shevitz]

If your garage isn't climate controlled it may very well be the reason your stones crack. If there is a big temperature difference in your garage and where you sharpen that can be a contributing factor too.

Possibly. My garage is unheated, but it doesn't freeze. I assumed that would be good enough. While in the garage, this rack is on a wall up against the heated house, so I assumed the micro climate there was warmer. I have never measured though. For 9 months of the year, there should obviously be no real issue.

[old onion]

Seems to me,storing stones is as much a science as storing garlic.

[STPepper9]

Chemical box with vent holes drilled in it..
Plus a couple king stones permasoaking in 4" third pans and a few others I don't use too much.

[Horizonson]

STP, might I add that having a few vent holes down low, in addition to the ones you have up high, will greatly aid in air movement

I can explain in more detail as to the "why", if so desired.

[STPepper9]

I had originally thought about doing that, but generally nothing really goes back wet. It’s just a precaution and the only stones I keep in here are (splash and go) shapton glass.
I’d be happy to consider your details if you think it would be helpful.

[Horizonson]

There are two dynamics at play:

1. Air transference
2. Relative humidity

Ideally; the two will be balanced. Meaning; enough air movement to alleviate stagnant air, but not so much as to prevent a gradient micro-climate.

Relative humidity: "The amount of water vapor present in air expressed as a percentage of the amount needed for saturation at the same temperature."

Two things to know:

1. Warm air is less dense than it's equivalent cooler air; and thus, rises (DUH!)
2.Warm air has a higher capacity to hold moisture than cold air.



What does any of this have to do with storing damp things in plastic bins?

Cool air enters the bottom holes. As it warms, two things happen:

1. It's relative humidity drops, allowing it to pull moisture into itself.
2. It rises and exits out the top holes.


In this specific "small bin" scenario, this process will be very slow. As we are talking about small volumes of air, moving very slow, and with tiny changes in temperature. But that is just fine. We aren't trying to dry out a load of laundry within a few hours. Instead; we are trying to prevent mold/mildew, and a slow even drying out process.


Hope this helps (someone)

[salemj]

If your garage isn't climate controlled it may very well be the reason your stones crack. If there is a big temperature difference in your garage and where you sharpen that can be a contributing factor too.

Possibly. My garage is unheated, but it doesn't freeze. I assumed that would be good enough. While in the garage, this rack is on a wall up against the heated house, so I assumed the micro climate there was warmer. I have never measured though. For 9 months of the year, there should obviously be no real issue.

As the post immediate above points out, the issue isn't just temperature, it is relative humidity. Storing the stones outside or in the garage will likely have a very different relative humidity ALL year than inside, but especially in the extreme months. It is easy to forget that the way we "feel" humidity is very temperature-dependent, so even if the air doesn't feel more humid inside versus out, is likely is, especially if the temperature variation is more than 2-5 degrees.

[BoostedGT]

I usually store my stones (shapton glass stones) on their original packaging after I let them out to dry, haven't had any issue yet, they are on a cabinet in my garage, there are no any extreme weather conditions where I live.

[ken123]

I store them on a wire rack

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Ken

[OgerBash]

And here I thought my addiction was bad. I'm just an amateur.

I store them on a wire rack

NubatamaInventory2.jpg

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Ken

[ken123]

There are many more ...

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Ken

[old onion]

I store them on a wire rack

NubatamaInventory2.jpg

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Ken

You stack them like that and you live in the land of the earthquakes?

[STPepper9]

I store them on a wire rack

NubatamaInventory2.jpg

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Ken

You stack them like that and you live in the land of the earthquakes?

maybe he should line the floor with pillows.

[Kit Craft]

This is how I keep my "users". Everything else has either been traded, sold or is in a drawer/closet. Well, I have a few splash and go and an extra Yaginoshima under my prep table at any given time. Or on the table...lol. Pretty thinned out now though.

[ken123]

I store them on a wire rack

NubatamaInventory2.jpg

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Ken

You stack them like that and you live in the land of the earthquakes?

maybe he should line the floor with pillows.

Well I live more inland of the Silicon Valley, so if we get earthquakes or tsunamis I'll either wind up with waterfront property or under a hugh lake. I do have the shelves screwed to the wall which should help a little bit.

Here's a sample of the stones I have in my work areas - mostly naturals and some synthetics. I also have Shapton Pro and Glass, Choceras, etc etc as well as buffing and grinding supplies. Here's another couple of pics.

etc, etc etc.

[Hmirchev]

Right now, they are in the trunk of my car I don't have any space in my room for them xDDD but that's okay, they know I love them

[thehomecookmi]

Fun thread
When at home I keep mine on a $6 bamboo rack, sitting on a $6 bamboo cutting board.