Thread: DMT DIA flat Plate

ChrisL and Utopian recommended the XX to me for tough jobs. It will eat a barber hone for breakfast and come back for a second helping. I might use it for initial lapping, like zib said, and then go to a 325. Good tool to have in the arsenal AFAIC. I wouldn't go the $ for the long one though. The D8 series is fine for my needs. YMMV.

So what, its a D11XX they double check the flatness on? I have not taken an machinists rule to any of my Diasharps, but they are more than flat enough for my purposes. I wonder what the actual difference in the hard coating on the product? Does a machinist grade flatness and hardcoating justify the increase in price given a quick glance shows the D11X to be 60 bucks.

Originally Posted by LameBMX

So what, its a D11XX they double check the flatness on? I have not taken an machinists rule to any of my Diasharps, but they are more than flat enough for my purposes. I wonder what the actual difference in the hard coating on the product? Does a machinist grade flatness and hardcoating justify the increase in price given a quick glance shows the D11X to be 60 bucks.

I can tell you that the same grit in the 8" DMT (120grit) feels and performs different.

Originally Posted by zib

Has anyone seen or used this plate yet. It seems it's sole purpose in life if to lapp stones. They don't give a grit rating, at least not that I've seen. They do say it will lapp stones to. +/- 0.0005 flat. and it's a monster at 11x4.5, Less than the famous DGLP. The DMT costs around 199.00

Amazon.com: DMT DIA-FLAT Lapping Plate: Home Improvement

I have this stone and it is great for a new or neglected stone but a bit aggressive for a finisher. YOu still need the course dmt (d8c) stone to put a final finish on your hone. I also have a shapton glass lapping plate and use it as a finisher on all others except the nortons. I also use it to check the flatness of any laping plate I have daughts about.
The price on Amazon is avout 50 bucks high. The perfect edge sells it for 150. I haven't seen it any cheaper any place else.

Originally Posted by Kingfish

I can tell you that the same grit in the 8" DMT (120grit) feels and performs different.

How so Mike, better .... worse ... or just different ?

Originally Posted by LameBMX

So what, its a D11XX they double check the flatness on? I have not taken an machinists rule to any of my Diasharps, but they are more than flat enough for my purposes. I wonder what the actual difference in the hard coating on the product? Does a machinist grade flatness and hardcoating justify the increase in price given a quick glance shows the D11X to be 60 bucks.

I've got the Starratt thick, heavy machinists straight edge. I found that flipping the plate and checking the smooth side will give a better indication of the flatness, or lack thereof. Dia-Sharp uses a laser to check that flatness is within their spec. Using my straight edge only one of my plates is dead flat but, as you said, they are flat enough to serve our purposes.
v

I bought one and will report after I use it. It seems a bit coarse but I expect it will smooth out a bit with use, just as the 325 did for me.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

How so Mike, better .... worse ... or just different ?

I like the finish it leaves better than my xxc 8" plate, scratches are more uniform. Could be from it being a little flatter and the larger size. Makes lapping effortless.

Originally Posted by Kingfish

I like the finish it leaves better than my xxc 8" plate, scratches are more uniform. Could be from it being a little flatter and the larger size. Makes lapping effortless.

Interesting. I always felt the 8" was 'good enough'. If it is truly flat I can see where a 10" would be even better. The scratches on my XX are annoying to me. To the extent that I only use it for initial lapping of stones that need a lot of work. Once reasonably flat I go 325 from there on out. Still, you've piqued my interest in the 10" plate. Doesn't take much to do that.

After the 325 DMT I go to plate glass and with silicon carbide in progression, it will make them flat