Thread: DMT 325 and the Atoma 400

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.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

I've had exactly the same question since my Jan Lee Valley catalogue arrived.

This is exactly why I started it!!! I saw the NEW product and it was this Atoma that I had never heard of before. So I id some reading about them. They seem really good.

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.

Originally Posted by jeness

Well, actually in every aspect

But to name a few:

Flatter: Mine was much flatter than any of the three 325 DMTs I had, one of the Duo-sharps were unusable for lapping it was that warped, the other one was meh, but usable, my Dia-sharp was about good, but still not really flat.

No stiction, much lighter (then the Dia, a bit lighter than Duo), almost no break-in time, faster. These are the most important aspects I can think of right now.

I was searching for a good lapping plate for months, I have sold everything after I got my Atoma, and am happy since than. After more of a year of constant use I can't be happier with my purchase, truly superior to the DMT-s I had, a much better quality product.

Originally Posted by Magpie

I will certaily agree about the flatter than the Duo-sharp! I returned 3 of them in a row, due to them actually being bowed.

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

Originally Posted by lz6

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.

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.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

The hones I will be using it on will be a King deluxe 1k, Norton 4/8, Naniwa 12k.

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.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

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.

I could do my king 1k on my 400 grit sandpaper and use the Atoma 1200 for the rest. So maybe The 1200 might be a better buy for me. I have read that the Atomas seem coarser then they state. Very interesting. decisions, decisions!!

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

I could do my king 1k on my 400 grit sandpaper and use the Atoma 1200 for the rest. So maybe The 1200 might be a better buy for me. I have read that the Atomas seem coarser then they state. Very interesting. decisions, decisions!!

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!