Another advantage I see is the you can replace the Atomas 'cutting surface' at a significantly lower price seeing it has a separate diamond surface held on with double sided tape.
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Another advantage I see is the you can replace the Atomas 'cutting surface' at a significantly lower price seeing it has a separate diamond surface held on with double sided tape.
My next diamond plates will be Atoma. Flatter, lighter, longer lasting, no sticking, replaceable diamond surface. Going w/ a 1200 for slurry generation & soon after a 400 to replace my old DMT 325. Looking forward to both.
Interesting thread. I have always used my DMT 325 for lapping all of my hones except my Jnats. I have an Atoma 400 that I use for raising slurries on all stones when needed and use it to raise a slurry and lap my Jnats. I will experiment more with
the 400 now. Thanks.
You can add me for the flatness and what jeness said. I see threads talking about their Naniwas, Nortons, etc. being high in the middle when they try to lap with a DMT325. That's what I thought too until I checked the DMT. It was the culprit and was bowed in the middle. Got another one and the same thing. Got the Atoma 400 and problem solved! Also the Atoma 1200 leaves an excellent finish on Jnats, Zulu Grey, etc.
Howard :)
Same here. I have several DMTS, XX, C, E, and F. I use the Dmt C and XX for lapping. My DMT C 325 is well worn and works well for generating slurry.
Now, If I'm using a Jnat, and I have no Tomonagura, I'll use an Atoma 1200 plate. They are better for generating slurry on Jnats, I've been told.
If you didn't have a 1k in there the Atoma 1200 would be all you need. Maybe even the Atoma 600 would work ok. The Kings lap very easily & I used my 1200 Atoma on a King 800 & 1200 to break it in.
+ 1 on on the quality control over DMT's.
The only thing I don't like the Atoma for is razors tho I know some use them for heavy duty work.
Yes bevel setters don't need an uber smooth finish. The Atoma seem coarser because they are a pimpled surface unlike the DMT which is a layer of diamonds on steel. The surface is what prevents the plate sticking to stones you lap but it does require a light hand.
I have a question about the atomas. Is it possible to interchange grits on one plate? I just bought the 1200 to lap my finishing stones. Now say I want to use the 400; am I able to swap back & forth if I bought just the 400 "surface", or do I need to buy the entire 400 grit plate? I don't anticipate doing this as I already have a DMT325, but was just curious...
Thanks in advance!