Thread: Norton Hones

Originally Posted by HHA

Alright I picked up my stones at a woodworking supply. I got the Norton set plus a DMT 8C. Pretty soon here im gonna lap the stones for the first time. Any recommendations on lapping them right?

Good selection! Draw a grid in pencil, no more than 1" squares, on each honing surface then lap it away under running water. The DMT plate will want to stick to your hones, that's normal.

Since it's a brand-new DMT,you'll want to wear it down a little before your final smoothing passes. Use it brand-new to lap away your first grids, then redraw all your grids, do the coarsest hone then do a LOT of lapping on the 8k surface. Word on the street is that you have to lap off at least 1/16th" before you get to nice honing grit. Some weird edge effect from the manufacturing. Now, if your DMT still feels as toothy as it did out of the box, go outside and rub it in the sidewalk for a minute or so. Really, no kidding.

Now give your 4k surface its lapping, and the1k, and the 8k once more, a normal light pass.

I realize this sounds bizarre, but there it is. I have done all these things to my own hones.

If you got the Norton flattening stone, you can probably break in your DMT by flattening it.

Have fun and don't let the neighbors look at you funny!

Originally Posted by roughkype

Have fun and don't let the neighbors look at you funny!

Thank you for all the useful information. That is actually how I was thinking of breaking in my DMT I only payed $16.00 for the norton lapping stone so I'm good if all I ever use it for is smoothing my DMT out. Im gonna get started on this this morning. As for the neighbors looking at me funny, ill be at peace once I know I'm getting a better shave than they are.

Also, since DMT 325's have an irregular surface as new. I take the shaft of an old screwdriver to them a bit before use. This knocks of high, loose diamonds which will really scratch the hones.

My advice is a little different than above

1 IME the dmt needs no work before lapping nortons.

I used mine right out of the box and it leaves a great surface on all my hones.

Rubbing a dmt on pavement is hone abuse!

2. IME the norton plate was great out of the box. It's fast and won't stick to the hone.

I recommend grid- lapping twice. First with the norton plate, then the dmt. The norton will work fast and easy then the dmt will leave a good honing surface.

Use the dmt for keeping the stones clean, flat, and prepped.

Michael

Well, you must be recieving a lot more consistant DMT 325's than I have. The last 4 I have bought came new with some loose, high diamonds and were not suitable for anything until "smoothed out" somewhat. I have spoken to several others who agree. By rubbing with the shaft of an old screwdriver, as I said, these high diamonds are knocked off and the plate is evened out. I like a smooth finish on my stones. Newer DMT's leave gouges and scratches, so I won't even use one for flattening until it is practically useless for chips, bevels, knives, etc. Rubbing on pavement? I don't think so! Each to his own, though!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Rubbing on pavement? I don't think so! Each to his own, though!

I was suggesting not to do it.

Michael

Originally Posted by mjsorkin

I was suggesting not to do it.

Michael

I wholeheartedly Agree!!

OK, ixnay on the pavement. Before I had the DMT I'd just lap my hones against one another, starting with the coarsest one against the cinder block bove my basement sink. There's one very flat spot of cinder block back in that house. A nice puzzle for future owners...