The Naniwa Lapping Plate/Hone ... Big Size

I needed to lap my hones this last weekend and had no wet/dry sandpaper so I decided I would look for something at the hardware store.

When I got there I thought I'll just get some #320, #600, and #1000 wet/dry and that should be it. My Chosera's are big hones and to get a diamond plate big enough would be a little costly so I have always stuck with the wet/dry sandpaper and open mesh abbrasive cloth (more expensive).

But when I was looking at the diamond plates, that are very small, there was this massive lapping hone sitting at the back of a bottom shelf. It was all dusty and had the Naniwa shrimp mark on the top. The size of the hone is 15 cm by 30 cm. The label said that is was a lapping hone with deep channels and rubber feet. It is rated a #24 grit. I picked it up and it is heavy ... probably 3~4 kg.

I thought about it (I even took it over to the level and ruler section to check the top) and because it is the same make as my Chosera's I decided to get it. Price 4000 Yen.

I got home later at soaked my Chosera hones, grid marked the top and went to work. The size of the lapping hone was awesome. It is so big that the lapping went very quick. Although the grit is #24 it didn't cut as fast as I was worried about. It did marr the surface of the hone BUT, I used the dressing stone that is included in the Chosera purchase and the face of the hone was smooth and slick and ready for action. I lapped both my #3000 and my #5000. I should add that I did do a bit of a polish rub on the top of each hone with the other hone, just to smooth the top as much as possible.

I am a very happy camper and am sure to get lots of use out of this lapping hone.

I love how big it is.... :tu


http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/...dL._SS500_.jpg

http://saitouhamono.com/Nani-turaL.JPG

Nice find, How thick is it?

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Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

Nice find, How thick is it?

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It is 2 cm thick.

What is a cm. Just kidding. Did you find that she wore at all during lapping? I know the Norton lapping plates will wear out after some use and they themselves need to be lapped now and then.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

What is a cm. Just kidding. Did you find that she wore at all during lapping? I know the Norton lapping plates will wear out after some use and they themselves need to be lapped now and then.

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I don't know if it wore at all during the lapping session. Which was over in 10~15 minutes for both hones. The Naniwa superstones and choseras are quite soft stones and I would assume that the lapping plate would be considerable harder than these two types of Naniwas.

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Originally Posted by ZethLent

I don't know if it wore at all during the lapping session. Which was over in 10~15 minutes for both hones. The Naniwa superstones and choseras are quite soft stones and I would assume that the lapping plate would be considerable harder than these two types of Naniwas.

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Hello, ZethLent!

Very useful post for lapping.
I got today Naniwa 1000/3000, 3000/6000 and 10000 grit stones. Just want to ask you about wet-dry sandpaper. I buy 3M 400 and 600 grit wet-dry sandpapers.
Is 400 enough for lapping Naniwas, or I need also 600 for mirror finish?

Thank you for answer!

Reggards,
darklife

Thank you, Jimmy. So, this is good replacement for sandpapers? If I buy this, did I get any instructions about lapping? Because, I never lapped with plate.

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Originally Posted by darklife

Thank you, Jimmy. So, this is good replacement for sandpapers? If I buy this, did I get any instructions about lapping? Because, I never lapped with plate.

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Here is a tutorial on hone lapping. Scroll down to get to the part with plates instead of sandpaper. I haven't used the naniwa myself but Zeth and my friend like it.