Thread: Used DMTs

Everybody compares their lapping plate to DMTs.
Why is that?
IMHO its because DMTs are the gold standard to which all others shoot for.
I have never met a DMT I didnt like, or find a use for.
Lastly we dont speak in monetary terms here.
To paraphrase Glenn, He still uses his DMT325 and it works well. He is one who uses his Often.

Originally Posted by ultrasoundguy2003

Everybody compares their lapping plate to DMTs.
Why is that?
IMHO its because DMTs are the gold standard to which all others shoot for.
I have never met a DMT I didnt like, or find a use for.
Lastly we dont speak in monetary terms here.
To paraphrase Glenn, He still uses his DMT325 and it works well. He is one who uses his Often.

I heard that atoma plates were better than DMT's. I don't personally know if it is true as I only have an atoma.

You’re not going to be lapping a lot of stones with a 6 in plate. If you are lapping “a lot” of stones flat, a sub 325 plate will come in handy.

There are many good/great diamond plates out there, if money is an issue, see the many Diamond Plate threads.

But, for most… an 8 inch 325 DMT is a life time purchase, really they are not, that expensive.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I heard that atoma plates were better than DMT's. I don't personally know if it is true as I only have an atoma.

I have both. Atoma works much faster both for lapping and honing. I cannot speak to their longevity as I have not lapped anywhere near as many hones with them in comparison to DMTs.

I got an email back all the DMTs are the 8 inch except the 1200 which is 6inch. so they last a long time and a used purchase would work pretty well for me until I have more funds for a new one. Once I get a new one I'll have more then one which is never a bad thing.

No, crying…

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I heard that atoma plates were better than DMT's. I don't personally know if it is true as I only have an atoma.

It is true ........ IMHO.

Well since the price is right I will get at least a 220 and a 325 and maybe a 1200. I don't think I would use the 120 and I'm not sure I will get the 1200 since I have a king 1k/6k already. If they have decent life left then I'll have saved some $ to get the Naniwa stones I wanted. If they are dead I'll email back and find out what can be done for me. at the very least I'll have good flat plates for my wet/dry sandpaper.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I heard that atoma plates were better than DMT's. I don't personally know if it is true as I only have an atoma.

Atoma plates have better longevity and less stiction, they are better than DMTs for lapping stones. their arrangement of diamonds is better suited than just a random electroplate, in both cases (wear and clearance for swarf).

They all get pretty slow pretty quick. The atomas settle in and stay they way they are at the slow point seemingly forever, and the duosharps, diasharps will wear through the nickel plate a little more easily.

DMT plastic versions are the only type I've had that are actually flat. Some of the diasharp versions can be out of whack a fair amount, so if they are diasharps and not duosharps, I'd let them go no matter what.

One comment about the nickel plate and what kills the stones - electroplated nickel is incredibly hard compared to something like steel. It doesn't get trashed in one shot, but coarse and aggressive abrasives will eventually wear through nickel plate. If you only use fine stones and medium stones (like a shapton 1000), it should take a very long time to have a problem with hone wear with any of the good diamond hones.

FWIW, if the topic is actually honing something (I don't use diamonds for razors) like a knife or a tool, the eze lap types are my favorite. They are not as pretty and well finished as the DMT and atoma, but they have a combination of mono and polycrystalline diamonds and have a better feel (and generally leave a better edge for the next sharpening step).

Ditto what DaveW says. The nickel plating thickness is a huge determinant of how well the diamonds stay embedded. On some plates I've seen it is way thinner than it should be IMO. Check these out:

https://scienceofsharp.wordpress.com...late-break-in/

https://scienceofsharp.wordpress.com...eak-in-part-2/