Thread: Meanest Lapping Plate

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.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

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.

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

Originally Posted by kevint

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.

The most bad-ass lapping plate, check out these Home | Ablap

Flat to within 1/3 of a bandwave of light.

Regards,
Alex

Originally Posted by A_S

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!

Chris L

Just got off the phone with them. An 8" plate 325 grit is $1,200.00 USD. 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

Originally Posted by ChrisL

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.