Thread: Lapping a hard arkansas stone

Hi,

I'm thinking getting a 8x2 translucent arkansas stone. I have a small vintage pike but it is small 3x2 piece. I'm curious about maintaining the hone. What would you lap translucent arkansas stone with? I hear they are very hard stones.

- Mike

Originally Posted by mbrando

Hi,

I'm thinking getting a 8x2 translucent arkansas stone. I have a small vintage pike but it is small 3x2 piece. I'm curious about maintaining the hone. What would you lap translucent arkansas stone with? I hear they are very hard stones.

- Mike

I did one wit a XX Coarse DMT plate. Very hard stone as you know. Even then, take you time and do not force the DMT an damage it. The you can smooth it with finer grit if you want it smoother.

Hi,

So maybe a dmt 325 and 600 would good. It sounds like patients are in order. Would you flatten with water or oil?

- Mike

Originally Posted by mbrando

Hi,

So maybe a dmt 325 and 600 would good. It sounds like patients are in order. Would you flatten with water or oil?

- Mike

If it only needs a little work the 325 will work. I would not use the 600 at all. The abrasive will get into the nickel matrix and you will ruin your DMT.

i use dmt 120 even this doesn't get job done as fast as i like.

Hi,

Thanks, I did not think of the dmt getting clogged. I'll see how it goes. So I don't own one yet, but am shopping around. I just wanted to see about planning to lap it if needed. I've heard some of the new stones may not come lapped ready for use. I'll see what lands in my mail box first.

Mike

The warnings about damaging your DMT are quite real. I ruined a 325 grit out of ignorance. Rather than risk that again, I went to wet/dry sandpaper of low grit. It took a very long time, but I was gun-shy about ruining another DMT.

Originally Posted by pinklather

The warnings about damaging your DMT are quite real. I ruined a 325 grit out of ignorance. Rather than risk that again, I went to wet/dry sandpaper of low grit. It took a very long time, but I was gun-shy about ruining another DMT.

Hi,

I have a 12x12x1/2 piece of marble here. I was thinking the wet/dry sand paper would be a good place to start, using the marble as a flat surface.

- Mike

I would only soften the edges of that hone and otherwise use it as is.
My last choice would be to use sandpaper to flatten it. IMHO, The only reason to lap an Arkansas is if is "dished" in the middle.

IMHO The best use for a DMT or sandpaper on an Arkansas stone is to give the stone an acceptable level of finish/texture or to refresh a surface that has become to glassy and slow.

Just my $.02,

you shouldn't need to lap a new arkansas stone and if used properly it will take years of wear before it needs lapping mine have been used daily for nearly twenty years and don't look like they will need lapping for a long time to come