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Hey all,
So I have a quick question: What's the toughest/meanest/most bad-ass lapping plate out there? I heard the DMT D8XXC is a beast with lapping, but are there other ones that rivel it's aggressiveness? Or perhaps is there another plate that's as tough as the D8XXC but larger? I can't afford one right now, but I would like a bad-to-the-bone lapping plate to handle anything and just want to review my options. Thanks everyone!
The XX is certainly an aggressive plate IME. May leave a rougher surface than most would like although I know at least one honer who prefers a rough surface. I don't have any experience with anything more aggressive than an XX.
The GDLP is a great plate due to the design and it is absolutely flat where the DMT may or may not be as flat. It will usually be flat enough. I did return a 325 to the factory and they tested it and agreed that it was out of spec and sent a replacement.
IME the XX is great for barber hones and the 325 for general use or to smooth out the surface following the XX.
I'm actually getting the DGLP, but seeing as it's not a cheap lapping plate I'm reserving that solely for my Shaptons. I know it says it can be used on the stones 500-30000, but after reading posts I think I'll use it only on 1000 and above, and use my DMT for below 1000 (just to be safe). I actually just got a new DMT D8C as my old one was starting to quickly lose diamonds. I was too rough on it and used it to lap EVERYTHING! So I would only like to use this new one only on softer stones (i.e. not barber hones). The idea of a DMT D8XXC (or a mean lapping plate) appeals to me since I can use that for the initial flattening of a barber hone, or any tough hone, and then just briefly use the D8C to smooth it out, or go to higher grits such as 3M sheets if need be. But I would like to save all the flattening and chip removal for a tough lapping plate that can hold up to the abuse.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
I think I will go with the D8XXC eventually since it's highly recommended, but I just wanted to see if there was anything else to mull over.
What about that big Shapton; less compact lapping plate Tom showed the other day?
I guess you could feed it any size abrasive you felt necessary. But they dont do blade chips
You know that's not a bad idea. Those lapping plates do look mean. The ones thing that appeals to me with using a lapping plate that recquires powders is that it will never wear, i.e. always cut as effectively. But, I also see using powders as being a negative since you have to buy powder....But definitely something to mull over! Thanks. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by kevint
The most bad-ass lapping plate, check out these Home | Ablap
Flat to within 1/3 of a bandwave of light.
Regards,
Alex
Thanks for the link, Alex. Now that is probably the coolest lapping plate I've seen to date. I want one!!! Check it out!Quote:
Originally Posted by A_S
Chris L
Just got off the phone with them. An 8" plate 325 grit is $1,200.00 USD. :dropjaw: I think I will stick to my lesser plates for now. :)
Thanks for calling them, Jimmy. I figured they'd be big buck. I'd want the 24" diameter 325 of course. I could mount the garden hose over it while lapping and get things done, and flat, in short order. Second mortgage on the house? It COULD be worth it........?
Chris L
Chris you could go to member services in the classifieds and offer professional lapping for a fee and you could leave it to your kids. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisL
Down hear we have laws for that kind of thing:rant:Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
The dog-meanest lapping plate I've used is the 10" dual-sided DMT XX Coarse on one side, and Coarse on the other. It's the style with holes in it, which is great for keeping it clean during lapping.
It's more expensive than the 8 x 3 one-sided DMTs. But man, that thing just chews through anything I've put to it, and it's huge. It's almost too aggressive. I used it to take close to 1/8" off a Swaty in about 15 minutes, and a Swaty can take a joke with the best of them. I had to finish the Swaty with a DMT Coarse and several sheets of 1500 and 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper to remove the deep scratches left by the DMT XX Coarse. For a finer result, use less pressure.
That same Swaty ate up my DMT 1200 and DMT 8000 when I tried using them for polishing/lapping. Don't use a DMT over 325 grit on a Swaty, it damages the DMT.