John: Very good question.

These guys are right. A good hone job insures the ring seal you need. I've had my hone for 20 years, so the investment is worth it ( $20-$50 buys a good one)

If you are getting into a really good engine build, pay the machine shop to do it for you with torque plates, but if you are backyarding it, and just doing a re ring and bearing job, the hone works great.

Use an electric drill, on mid speed, and work the hone up and down into the bore to get a cross hatch pattern. After awhile you will get the rhythem.

Change the stones periodically, as they get nicked and fill up with metal. But they usually last for a few engines before you need to do this.

Don