Thread: Atoma diamond plates for lapping

Why you'd try to properly lap a stone with the 1200 is beyond me. Stu's advice is sound there.

However, as oz says, for generating slurry (which if done regularly also keeps the stone flat) the 1200 is excellent. I've been doing that with mine for what must be 6 or more years now on the recommendation of So Yamashita as well. I also use the 1200 to set bevels.

It's just a common sense thing I think. Stu needs to cover himself as a vendor by making blanket statements. Completely understandable and I'd do the same in his position.

But it definitely doesn't mean you can't rub the 1200 on a hone in a figure 8 pattern.

James.

My experience has been that you can compromise an Atoma 1200 with heavy pressure and thick slurry when flattening stones. I did in fact do just that, and that plate will shed diamonds now even lightly used.

I did some research after it started misbehaving, and if you use it for heavy duty flattening, be sure to do so under running water or at least be careful to never feel the slurry thickening. So far I have kept the plate well rinsed during use and have not had a problem.

And IIRC, DMT does not recommend using their fine 8k plate for raising sharpening slurry for the same reason.

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by Steve56

And IIRC, DMT does not recommend using their fine 8k plate for raising sharpening slurry for the same reason.

True, DMT used to recommend nothing finer than the DMT C for waterstones.

DMT also recommends all lapping be done under water (submerged) or under a running tap. I've been told slurry will kill a DMT so keep it wet when lapping.

Personal choice. Common sense. As to the advice of experienced straight shavers on our forum, it has promoted healthy chat to illustrate that there is more than one way to skin a cat. I take from this thread a thorough assessment of all the options regarding lapping/flattening/slurry creation and all the tools at our disposal. A great fun way to explore what has been a controversial at times, collection of opinions from the best we have to offer. Win/win fellas! Bob.

Hey guys, sorry for bumping a somewhat old thread but I figure it's better to ask here rather than start a new one....

I know Stuart warns that he isn't the fastest guy to respond to emails and all, but I am curious how long is the normal wait. I ordered some stones from him 12 days ago, and haven't heard anything other than the immediate auto-reply at the time I paid. A couple of follow up emails have gone unanswered as well. It's a little disconcerting not to hear some kind of reply or acknowledgement by now.

Is there another way to reach him besides through the store?

Hi Pendo and Welcome to SRP. I'm not sure who you ordered from but it seems they would have SENT TRACKING #'s as soon as shipped.

Now, I just had surgery recent then got Infection, these health problems pop up with any of us, there has to be a reason for the Person to not be right up on this sale OR they Dropped off the end of the professional spectrum.

Personally it is a real peeve when people do this, I hope they get back to you soon, or you find a Telephone # and find out what is going on.

Oh gosh, I guess I didn't realize that was my first post! I've been reading/searching for a couple of years now probably though. Got my first straight about a year ago, but it's only been the last 2-3 months that I've gotten to where I consistently achieve DFS or CCS entirely with a straight.

Anyway, I wanted to say that Stuart contacted me Sunday and all is well.

Hello folks,
forgive me for reviving this post again, but i think it's better ask here (since my question is related to Atoma diamond stones being used for lapping) and if someone reads in the future, they will have a bit of history.

maybe I'm confused, but from whet I've been reading round it seems like there's actually two different types of Atoma stones, one is made like other plates, just putting the metal on a block/plate of steel, and others (called Atoma Economy) made in a think 1mm sheet of steel that is then pasted with some strong adhesive veeery thin tape to an aluminum plate/block.

the Atoma Economy stones are supposed to be more economic because eventually, instead of replacing the stone with the whole steel block and all, you only order a replacement sheet, remove the original, place the new one in the aluminum plate and that's it. Maybe there's an economy too by not using the whole block of steel but aluminum (not sure if the aluminum is cheaper)

Anyway, i know that some folks even go and do combo stones (some common configs are 400/1200 and 140/600) by buying an spare sheet and pasting it on the back of the original one grit plate. this seems like an appealing idea to me.

Sooooo since i want to use the Atoma for lapping my stones (I told you this was related to Lapping with Atomas)and some times maybe a quick blade repair... I'm wondering about how flat they are, i've read that the tape used is less than 0.01 mm thick, this this should not affect flatness too much. I've seen a video of they guys from "ToolsfromJapan" showing how to place the replacement sheet and test it flat. but there also a review in amazon of a guy showing some pics of stone not flat.

Wondering if any of you have the economy type and can contribute letting us know if it's completely flat, and/or even better if anyone has both types and can offer a comparisson of "Atoma" vs "Atoma economy"


THANKS!!


-gabe

If I remember right, than they make only the alum plate with glued on diamond sheet thing (I have one too). The sell the sheets already glued to plates, and separate too. Maybe the former is the normal, wich you thought is made like the DMT stones, and the latter the Economy version (only sheet, without aluminium plate). Imo the 400 grit Atoma is the best bang for the buck for stone lapping. Much flatter than any DMT I have seen and used, and not much pricier. They are definitely as flat as one would wish for stone lapping. Some folks use even the 1200 for a slurry stone, or smoothing stone for their Jnats.