Thread: Fastest lapping method for really bad stones..

I'm looking for the fastest possible way to lap stones. Reason: I purchased 6 crates of Arkansas stones, Of all grades. Most are junk "soft arkies" but i did get allot of black translucent and white translucent and a BUNCH of washita's Many of of which still have saw marks. I have also been picking up a wide variety of stones at flea markets/antique malls. Some of which need up to 1/8 inch lapped off...Yesterday I received a Dmt 325 (course). I quickly found out this was not very fast. I seen a DMT extra extra course 8 inch plate. But for 80$. I don't want to risk it,, and thought I better start asking the experts..

So I guess my question is. What is the fastest method for lapping? What do the commercial operations use? I have a 8 inch flat disk attached to a motor, but really that's is not any faster. And the fact that it runs at 3600 RPM. Is killing me...I keep chipping stones. I think if I can get a slower motor that might help....

Is there an advantage to using diamond? Or should I just go buy some 40 grit sandpaper from the auto body store

So far the fastest method I have found is rubbing them on the concrete porch.. . It takes up to an hour sometimes to get past the bad spots...

Help

I've got that DMT 120 (XX) plate and it will eat barber hones for breakfast and come back for a second helping. OTOH, with what you're up against it would be a formidable task with any manual lapping method and the plates do wear. Someone will be along with a better solution I expect.

I use my 4x36 belt sanders with a 50 grit Diablo belt to do the initial lapping on Arkies. Still slow, but fast by Arkie lapping standards.

How 'bout a belt sander? They're pretty flat and you can probably get a sanding belt with a coarse, hard compound.

There is a video of Charlie, I think, using adhesive backed sandpaper to clean up a stone quickly. It does a really good job. I'll try to dig up the vid buried somewhere on SRP once I have more coffee.

If anything it's worth the watch but it is a great idea for those ugly looking eBay hones that need a really good cleaning and lapping.

::EDIT::

I found it.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...one-video.html

I have fixed a couple of dished out coticules on a belt sander. I've never tried it with an Arkansas.

If you don't have the ability to wet-sand with a belt sander, make sure you either have dust control or move the sander to a well ventilated area, and wear a respirator. They make a lot of dust.

Originally Posted by HNSB

I have fixed a couple of dished out coticules on a belt sander. I've never tried it with an Arkansas.

If you don't have the ability to wet-sand with a belt sander, make sure you either have dust control or move the sander to a well ventilated area, and wear a respirator. They make a lot of dust.

Definitely safety first. I personally wear a respirator whenever I use the belt sanders, no matter if its a hone or wood.. safety glasses are a must as well.

Crap, I don't own a belt sander. Hmmmm. My father does, sounds like its time to sweet talk him into loaning me some tools for a .....project.....

6 crates of unfinished Arkies... I don't know whether to admire you or feel bad for the ungodly amount of work ahead of you. Please enjoy either way.

I once wanted to try a piece of rock i found, but it was definitely not flat. So i made a frame to hold the stone, tied a rope to it then tied the other end to my bicycle and went for a ride on the pavement, did a very quick initial flattening! And got some exercise!

But I don't think that's what you had in mind...