Thread: Naniwa Lapping Plate 60 Grit

I decide to buy this Naniwa Lapping Plate for my Naniwa stones for grits up to 2000,

But, look what I notice in description (bolded)

These flattening stones are ideal for flattening the surface of sharpening stones that have had a hollow or groove worn in them. A flat stone is vital for a good sharpening job. We offer these stones in 2 different grit sizes, allowing you to match the flattening stone to the sharpening stone in terms of speed in flattening and the smoothness of the finished surface. In principle one stone is all you really need, if you are prepared to put up with some disadvantages. A relatively coarse flattening stone works quickly, but leaves behind a rough surface on finer stones. This does not impair its function, but you usually end up grinding off more material than you need to. With a finer flattening stone, it takes more time, of course, but you end up with a smoother surface.

I have at home 3M P400 and P600 sandpaper, but, I wondering, which one is better?
Lapping plate or sandpapers?

Thank you, guys, for answer.

I know what the answer from most will be a dmt325 but you are properly like me as these are real exspensize outside the US. You could get the higher grit nawima plate the 220 grit that would do all your stones

I agree with you about DMT325, but, I want to know something about grinding off more material on this plate.
Is it possible to grind too much stone material off, so, it will not be usable anymore?

If you lap a hone more than you need to, you will go through the hone faster. I mean, you literally wear through it.

The lower the grit, the less strokes you need to remove a given amount of material.

I think 60 grit will leave bad scratches in most hones, so I would not recommend something that coarse.

So, what do you recommend?

I have Naniwa stones 1k, 3k, 8k and 10k.

Thnx!

I use the 220 plate and it's fabulous. Use a gentle touch with higher grit stones (>= 3k, say) and you won't have a problem.

I would get the 220 grit, works on all my Naniwas through the range and does fine on the 12k too! If you want to you can always lap on higher grit sand paper to smooth out the surface of your stone if you want, but I haven't found it necessary yet myself.

There is very little reason to use a coarse grit like 220 or 325 except for the initial lapping, if even that is necessary. I have used sandpaper, 500/1000 grit wet/dry and finer, on my hones for years with success. The key is to never let them become so worn that 2 minutes on the 1000 won't suffice.
A number of us perform a light lapping between each honing session so that the surface of the hone is "refreshed", cleaned and flattened. Usually I use a 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper for that task ( always use wet). If I need to drop back to a coarser grit like 320/500 then I always finish with a 1000 grit. I prefer a 1000 grit texture on my hones. Anything coarser is not to my liking.
The other factor to pay attention to is pressure, never use much pressure. Just the weight of the hone and a bit more is adequate. That way you will minimize the possibility of embedding loose abrasive grains from the sandpaper into the hones.
When finished place the hone under running water and scrub with either your hand, brush, or nylon scrubbing pad to remove any loose particles.

In the Wiki is a section called lapping 101, I suggest you read it.

Please note that I am not finding fault with the use of a 220 or 325 grit lapping plate. They are effective and fast. To me, they simply remove to much material and leave a coarse surface.

Hope this helps,

Well, after reading this randy's post, I continued using a wet/dry sandpaper in the normal manner, how I was use till now. Thank you, guys, for answers!