Thread: Can I use DMT 220 to lap?

Originally Posted by Scareface

I have Naniwa Supers 5, 8, and 12k.
I purchased them through Shapeningsplies.com.
Their recommend lapping plate is the DMT Dia-flat 95

DMT Dia-Flat 95 Lapping Plate

thanks, but that wasn't the question

I use a 140 grit plate to lap stones all the time, then smooth with a 300, plate.

The 140 gets to flat quick but does leave some rough scratches on the stone face.

If you have a new plate, lapping will break it in. I just run a carbide stone on the edges to knock down the corners.

I have used 1k Norton to smooth finer synthetic stone faces.

LOL...going after that prize from Classic Edge eh? Hope ya win!!

DMT 325 is what I use. Some people also use sandpaper to flatten out a hone. Sheet of wet or dry sand paper..... Low grit to start placed on a flat surface. Some use a 12 x 12 tile. If ya want it smoother use a higher grit...1200+.

yeah, I've done the sandpaper and I have a norton lapping stone, but it seems to cut slow on the 8000/12000 and I've never been convinced it was cutting flat (pencil marks on the stones show inaccuracies depending on which way I hold the lapping stone).

Originally Posted by ecormier

yeah, I've done the sandpaper and I have a norton lapping stone, but it seems to cut slow on the 8000/12000 and I've never been convinced it was cutting flat (pencil marks on the stones show inaccuracies depending on which way I hold the lapping stone).

When you are using a lapping stone..... Are you doing varied sanding directions? Side to side.... Back to front.....Figure 8s? I usually will draw pencil lines on my hones a few times just to make sure they flat. Some people will say they don't even really bother with getting the hone completely flat.

Originally Posted by Willisf

When you are using a lapping stone..... Are you doing varied sanding directions? Side to side.... Back to front.....Figure 8s? I usually will draw pencil lines on my hones a few times just to make sure they flat. Some people will say they don't even really bother with getting the hone completely flat.

for sure, that's the only way I can get my stones flat.... if I were to only go one direction with the norton, I would not have flatness

Very true!

that's why I've preferred sandpaper, but it's messy and not as fast as having a nice lapping plate which is why I ordered the DMT 220... fro what I've heard they are very flat and stay flat

That should fine for ya. Do the pencil marks across the hone...and don't apply too much pressure on the hone.

Hello to All,

I bought a DMT 220 8x3 plate a few weeks ago.

I have used it to to lap a Shoubudani Asagi benchstone, and four Welsh slate hones (AJ & Inigo Jones), and it did a fine job of quickly flattening them.

Much, much quicker than using the 325

A quick finish lap with my well worn DMT 325 8x3, and the surface finish on all the stones was excellent.

(I then progress these natural stones with 600, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000 & 2500 'grit' silicon carbide paper - probably not needed, but I do like the really shiny surface it leaves )

Have fun

Best regards

Russ