Thread: need to lap japanese stone - will this kill my dmt 325??

Hey guyz

I have a DMT 325 primarily to keep my norton stones lapped. However, I have acquired a totally unknown stone - maybe jnat - maybe slate - nobody can say.

It needs a little more lapping to get a modest dish out of the centre.

All I have is the DMT to do this job, and I can't afford another cuz this 'save some money' shaving hobby is costing more than maintaining my automobile.

Can I lap this stone comfortably on the DMT without knocking off the diamonds?? Is it risky or.....?? I realize this is speculation, but assume it is a high end high grit stone.

thnx

You know, I would buy some wet- dry sandpaper and place it wet on something flat (like my kitchen counter), and lap it that way were I unsure if it would kill my DMT. But that's just me...

+1 for Earcutter's advice. Good wisdom.

Thnx very much for the comments.

While I do indeed enjoy folks with wisdom, I in fact appreciate that one could use a schwack of sandpaper (I have some wisdom of my own despite my wife's opinion.).

However sandpaper lapping, while somewhat useful, is not a great way to lap a stone. I have done it before with the Nortons and that is why I purchased the DMT. Sandpaper lapping is not a great alternative.

My question is.....not what are the alternatives to using the DMT (thnx)...... but rather, will the DMT be up to the job or might I be risking tossing it in the trash after.

Thnx for the comments however.

Originally Posted by RocketMan

Thnx very much for the comments.

While I do indeed enjoy folks with wisdom, I in fact appreciate that one could use a schwack of sandpaper (I have some wisdom of my own despite my wife's opinion.).

However sandpaper lapping, while somewhat useful, is not a great way to lap a stone. I have done it before with the Nortons and that is why I purchased the DMT. Sandpaper lapping is not a great alternative.

My question is.....not what are the alternatives to using the DMT (thnx)...... but rather, will the DMT be up to the job or might I be risking tossing it in the trash after.

Thnx for the comments however.

I think going though some sandpaper will give you some insight into how hard the stone is. Moreover, if used first it'll ease the DMTs burden.

That said...

I doubt highly that rubbing your DMT on a hard stone would unlodge a significant amount of diamond. It may however take away some of its "toothiness.".

If you lap under running water lightly and methodically, you shouldn't see much "damage" if any to your DMT. At least mine hasn't.

Sorry for not getting into enough detail - great question.

Your DMT won't be negatively affected unless you condition a coarse stone with it (like a 400 grit waterstone, an india stone or a soft arkansas stone), and you have to do it for a while. I believe the elctroplate is nickel or something like that and if you've ever removed plating from anything, the nickel layer is really really hard. Coarse stones and tools make DMTs tired fast, but medium and fine stones will be pretty forgiving.

That said, it's not always nice to remove a lot of material with something that fine, so 60 grit wet and dry or 80 grit dry aluminum oxide (and a vacuum cleaner) might be better. Plus, like E/C said, you will get an idea of how hard the hone is.

Lap with very light pressure and your DMT will survive. On the other hand, I am on my third DMT 325. YMMV

Thank you for the comments folks.

I liked the notion of using light pressure. I imagine pushing like the dickens would be the likely way to knock off diamonds so a light pressure attempt sounded pretty reasonable. And with the other comments suggesting it shouldn't be a problem, with water etc., I gave it a go.

SWEEEEEET. It worked like a charm. The stone has a fabulous glass reflective surface now and the DMT appears to be no worse for wear.

Thnx folks!!

good to hear that lapping it worked out for you without harming the DMT!

I guess you don't like the wet and dry option because of grit contamination? I think, although I'm not sure, that that risk is higher with porous synthetic wetstones that with naturals, is that right?

Originally Posted by RocketMan

Hey guyz

All I have is the DMT to do this job, and I can't afford another cuz this 'save some money' shaving hobby is costing more than maintaining my automobile.

I agree, I'm also making this hobby way more expansive then nessesary, I hope that within a year or so the learning curve flattens out and I will lose the obsessive part of my interrest and I'm hoping that will take care of my HAD and RAD, I guess it will eventually pay off albeit be it by the time gillete comes out with it's new and fancy hypersonic octo-cardridge/skin massage razors