Thread: got my norton 4k/8k but need to lap it confusion with DMT plates can you help

those are the correct DMT stones.
You cam lap the Norton with sand paper as well, just use a flat surface as a base for the sand paper.

The 325 (coarse) DMT sharpening plate will work, the norton flattening hone costs less and works faster, and sandpaper on glass is cheaper still.

The 325 is nice though for making slury, and cleaning the norton before each use IMO.

I got a DMT 325 mainly because I don't feel like lapping my lapping stone.

There are a lot of ways to lap a Norton 4K/8K stone. The SRP Library has a good Hone Lapping section that shows you how to lap using sandpaper or the DMT 325. Unfortunately, I see that the Library is temporarily offline.

I've read a lot of the SRP posts on lapping and saw that the DMT 325 is a popular stone for lapping. I use a DMT 325 to lap my 1K, 4K, 6K, and 8K water stones. It works great. Yes, the DMT is a sharpening stone, but it is of a low grit such that it allows you to lap the Norton 4K/8K.

In one post, I remember an experienced SRP member mentioning that you should never lap a hone that is less than twice the grit value of the lapping stone. Otherwise, you may damage the lapping stone surface. In this case, a DMT 325 should be good on a 700 (325 × 2) or higher grit hone.

Can you just simply use a flat block of cement that's how i flatten any sharpening stone that not flat.
that is able to fit into my hands.

Yes, you would use the D8C (325 grit) for lapping the Norton. I got one to lap my Norton 4/8 and it works really well! I also got a 120 grit DMT for initial lapping as it's a lot faster. The 120 isn't mandatory though (neither is the 325 come to think of it!!) and is more expensive....or you could just use a Norton flattening stone but they too have to be lapped occasionally I think...

Originally Posted by Pyrateknight

I got a DMT 325 mainly because I don't feel like lapping my lapping stone.

Having to lap your lapping stone leads to an infinite regress and ultimately madness. Even worse, you never get to honing.

Be careful if using papers that you don't use a lot of pressure or you'll be wondering why the Nortons are scratching your bevels . Loose particles can embed in the stones.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Be careful if using papers that you don't use a lot of pressure or you'll be wondering why the Nortons are scratching your bevels . Loose particles can embed in the stones.

i did use quite a bit of pressure i hope its ok i decided to use wet dry sand paper first 125 grit then 325 grit now the gold side (8k) is smooth as glass but the white (4k) side is smooth but not as smooth as the 8k side is this because the white side is more course? will it be ok or will it need to be glass smooth?