Thread: Lapping?

Gentlemen, need some advice. I'm investing in a Norton 4/8K, and already have a welsh finishing stone (-10K). However, I'm a bit muddled about what lapping plates and grits will work with these. I'm on a tight budget. Can I get away with using the DMT mesh "cards" in various associated grits to begin with before moving to proper plates? Am I committing treason by asking if I could get by with sand paper? Any and all suggestions are quite welcome.

Thank you!

Sand paper on flat surface will work fine.
DMT 325 is probably optimal when you can afford it.

I used sandpaper on glass for about a year before I bought the dmt 325. Worked fine. The dmt is worth it when you get around to it.

I bought the 140 grit diamond lapping plate for about $30 I think on chefknivestogo.com a couple of years ago. It's still working good for me. Here's the link if you need it. I was wrong though. The price is $29.95.
140 Grit Diamond Flattening Plate

Thanks for the feedback thus far. As for sandpaper, what grit(s) are useful?

I was using gorilla paper somewhere around 400 grit

Originally Posted by Tymus

Thanks for the feedback thus far. As for sandpaper, what grit(s) are useful?

I've never used sandpaper but I'd think somewhere between 60 to 220 grit. I'm basing that on the 140 grit plate I have. DMT coarse (325 grit) and extra-coarse (220 grit) are used by many people also. I'm going to try sandpaper tomorrow to see how different grits work. I'm interested myself.

Originally Posted by JTmke

I used sandpaper on glass for about a year before I bought the dmt 325. Worked fine. The dmt is worth it when you get around to it.

Yeh 325 on glass for a year so far also works fine on 1k to 12k

Anyone who has used sandpaper do you use it wet or dry? When I lap any water stone I've always used a diamond plate under running water. I've used wet/dry sandpaper in grits 600 and higher. But I think if I used water on the coarser sandpaper I have the sandpaper would fall apart. So, do you use water or not? Thanks.

Jack, that was going to be my next question: sandpaper-wet or dry? Cheers mate!