Printable View
Hi, I've decided to buy a DMT 1200 plate for lapping.
My 325 plate is doing my head in, so to speak.
It leaves scratches in my hones. The sratches in my Shaptons i can live with but not the scratches left in my Jnat.
I have serious ware on the shank of my long screw driver, which has sorted out most of the protruding diamonds but not all.
What i wanna know is, will i have to break in the 1200 with my screw driver?
I dont wanna pay for the Shapton diamond lapper. Its extortion:p
Yes, you will. Not as much as the 325, but it still has a break-in period.
Does the 325 leave visible scratches in your hones? If so, it isn't broken in yet and still has protuding diamonds. Certainly, the 1200 will leave a smoother surface, but the 325 should do a good job.
My DMT has done its job as expected. I never formally broke it in, just lapped five new stones: Norton 220, 1000, 4000, 8000, and Naniwa 12000. I see no scratches in any and the last two feel smooth as glass. Could you contact DMT or retailer for replacement, maybe you just got a bad one?
On the Shaptons you have to angle them to the light to see the scratches, a touch with a nagura and they are gone but the scratches on the Jnat are clear and dont look good.
I have done about 6 session on the plate with a screw driver, wet + washing up liquid, until my thumbs hurt from applying pressure.
I've got rid of most if the awkward diamonds but its the last few that are still there.
I wont contact DMT , i cant be bothered but i definitely bought a dodgy one.
I just bought the Atoma 1200 for my lapping needs. After lapping the Norton 1 and 4k I realized that a large area of diamond grit was misplaced right in the center of the plate! The seller is returning the plate to the Atoma factory and sending me a new one. I'm considering only lapping 4k stones and above with this one. I'll have the learn more about what you call "breaking it in with a screw driver." At $90 I'm afraid to damage the dang thing.
That was the exact problem with mine, a cluster in the center that gauged the middle of my shaptons and made them very rough.Quote:
Originally Posted by wyobarbershop
To break these plates in, take a long screwdriver and use the shank/stem. Run it up and down the plate (wet) to hopefully flatten any rogue diamonds, hit the edges too.
Thats one method.
I finally bought a DMT 325. Didn't like the idea of using a screwdriver to break it in. Had a broke razor, about half of the blade had snapped off, given to me. Put the broken piece to good use and ran that up and down the DMT till I lost count and consciousness. Lapped a newly acquired 12kish Chinese stone (with X pattern drawn on) and it flattened it evenly in no time.
I would say you got lucky with the DMT then. Not every DMT plate does this but enough to be a recognized on this forum as a problem area. Mine did the same but was cured with the screwdriver shank treatment and been good since. I did drop little brown bricks when it first happened though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hart
Bob
I'm torn between a 1200 with potential breaking in problems and the Shapton Diamond Plate.
The Shapton plate dosnt even last forever , maybe a few years, i think.
I've got the DMT, Shapton GDLP, and the Atoma 1200. Go to the Dia-Sharp website (DMT) and you'll see in the FAQ, that they will not guarantee any plate used for lapping over 325. Even the 325 must be used under running water or you'll risk stripping the plate of the diamonds if you're lapping waterstones.Quote:
Originally Posted by JOB15
Unlike the DMT the Atoma 1200 is great for lapping. The method of mfg is different and the diamonds will stand up to the job. I believe the accuracy (flatness) of the Atoma is superior as well.
My GDLP is still good after maybe 6 years of use. Not as good as it was, somewhat worn, but I did a preliminary lapping with it the other day, and it delivered the goods. Of the 3 I would recommend the DMT if you are on a budget, or the Atoma if you are not. Whatever you do, don't go above 325 with the DMT if you are lapping waterstones and expect DMT to replace the plate if it is damaged.
For some reason i thought the Atoma plaate was the DMT plate, they look similar ,doh.
I just need to find a place in the UK that sells Atoma plates.
Whats MFG stand for ?
thanks
MFG = manufacturer. Dunno about the UK but Chef's Knives to go, in the US sells 'em, and the place in Japan where I got the Suehiro, forget the name of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by JOB15
I've found them in japan for less than the price of my DMT plate.
£55 including postage.
Is it rite that its a 1mm sheet on an aluminium block?
Also do these plates need breaking in?
Thanks again.
I use wet/dry sandpaper (400 to 1200 grit depending on the stones condition, and finish with 2000 on the 8K and 12K stones) on a wet, certified flat granite plate. The granite lasts forever and you can buy a lot of sandpaper for the cost of the largest DMT. However, I also have some well broken in Smith 325 and 750 diamond stones for gently cleaning the surfaces after honing.
I don't know if it's a 1 mm sheet, but if that's what it says, but it is a sheet with the diamonds and attached to a milled plate of aluminum providing a very flat surface. The sheets can be replaced from what I understand, or you can get another sheet of same or differing grit to adhere to the opposite side and have 2 grits on one plate.Quote:
Originally Posted by JOB15
I have both the 400 and 1200 and really don't use anything else now for lapping. My DMT 325's are for grunt work on razor edge repair, and my DGLP just watches.
You do have to break the Atoma in also. I use an old cleaver and run it over the Atoma at about a 45° angle with just enough pressure to knock loose any rogue diamonds.
:gl:
Howard :)
Thats a great idea, 400 on the back of the 1200.
I will order them this week.
I think i'll sharpen a big kitchen knife on it to try and knock off any loose diamonds
Just be sure they have the replacement pieces. Remember :nono:, I said it's my understanding. I haven't actually used the replacement pieces. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by JOB15
They sell the spares ,you just peel the old one off and replace it, so it should fit on the plain side.Quote:
Originally Posted by SirStropalot
Dont worry , your in the clear:tameshigiri:
325is great for lapping 1200 good for kitchen knives