Thread: DMT 325 and the Atoma 400

Originally Posted by jpcwon

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!

No, I thought the same thing, but once you pull the old grit, it's done. Double O

Originally Posted by Double0757

No, I thought the same thing, but once you pull the old grit, it's done. Double O

Gotcha. Thx for the reply!!

JP

But you can glue the replacement sheet on the backside of your existing one. The bottom side of that aluminium plate is precision ground too, you will have a double sided diamond hone basically.

I'm buying mine from Stu when I get them. Still probably cheaper even w/ EMS shipping & there's a lot to be said for buying from someone who actually uses what he sells.

Well, my Atoma 1200 was just delivered. I went with the 1200 instead of 400 as I already have a DMT325, so I figured it would be a little redundant to have 2 diamond plates with similar grits. I got the 1200 for lapping my finishing stones, and I will say that it does an EXCELLENT job. No stiction, much lighter than a DMT, and it leaves a nice shiny finish on my stones. Definitely worth the $$ IMO...



I think what I'm going to do is order the 400 replacement pad anyway, then I can do what Jeness said & glue it on the back of the 1200; then I'll have a double-sided plate!

And they last pretty well also - my first 1200 lasted around 5-6 years I think, with pretty much daily cleaning/slurry-raising use and perhaps weekly lapping on 4K and over stones. I think you made a good call getting the 1200 - I have the 400 also and it almost never gets used.

James.

I finally bought an Atoma 1200 today from Leevalley. Ive been buying to many razors and put this on the back burner. What a mistake. Of course, when I got home, I had to lap my Nor 4/8 and my Nani 12k and it worked soo well. This is going to make things so much easier. It also worked very well on my newly acquired J-nat as well, to raise a nice slurry. I think the 400 Atoma might also be purchased soon.

What is the reasoning for an atoma 1200 not working on a bevel setting hone? I'll need a lapping plate at some point and would love to escape with just buying one if at all possible. The comments about getting a replacement 400 and putting it on the other side of the plate is nothing short of brilliant, though

Originally Posted by Jonah

What is the reasoning for an atoma 1200 not working on a bevel setting hone? I'll need a lapping plate at some point and would love to escape with just buying one if at all possible. The comments about getting a replacement 400 and putting it on the other side of the plate is nothing short of brilliant, though

I don't have one yet but I've asked about them from a lot of friends that do. Apparently the diamond construction of the plate lends itself to standing up to the rigors of lapping waterstones but is too much of a good thing for razor bevels. It is a 1200 grit plate and if you lap waterstones with a 1200 DMT you'll have a paperweight pretty quickly. You can set bevels with the DMT 1200 but you cannot lap with it. DMT says anything over 325 is not advisable.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I don't have one yet but I've asked about them from a lot of friends that do. Apparently the diamond construction of the plate lends itself to standing up to the rigors of lapping waterstones but is too much of a good thing for razor bevels. It is a 1200 grit plate and if you lap waterstones with a 1200 DMT you'll have a paperweight pretty quickly. You can set bevels with the DMT 1200 but you cannot lap with it. DMT says anything over 325 is not advisable.

I guess my main question would be if I only had to get one lapping stone (if possible) whether a DMT or Atoma, which would be the best case?