Thread: DMT 325 Flatness

Hello, my friends!

I am wondering if you could give me a little advice on my DMT Dia-Sharp Course (325). I use it to lap my Naniwa Super Stones. When I flatten the Naniwas, I find the the pencil markings in the middle center of the stone always wear off first, and I find myself moving the center of the DMT to the corners, top, and bottom of the stone in order to remove the pencil. In other words, it feels like my DMT might have a bulge in the middle. Another method that has worked for me is to use the DMT perpendicular to the stone, running the middle of the DMT up and down the Naniwa.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Should I get a new DMT?

Thanks!

there is a very small chance that your dmt is not perfectly flat. I believe they make sure that all dmts are flat before they leave the factory. try using figure 8s only. and remember, hones do take a little while to lap. be sure to chamfer the corners and edges of the stones too!

Let the Naniwa SS stabilize first before you lap them into nothing,, They tend to swell a bit when they first get wet..
So you start chasing the Flat, wasting perfectly good hone..

I get mine wet, then right before I start honing each razor I do about 5 Figure 8's and have at it, I honestly haven't done a pencil grid on mine since day one (quite a number of razors ago)

I would check the DMT also, but keep in mind that Hones and Stones need to be "Flat" they do not not to be "Engineering Flat"

Have been those that report warped DMTs,using a dial indicator, mine are all drop dead perfect so I have never seen one.
DMT will take back a defective plate.I think that even if a plate is a couple thou. out of flat,using figure 8 patterns will negate it,JMO

Originally Posted by Man

Hello, my friends!

I am wondering if you could give me a little advice on my DMT Dia-Sharp Course (325). I use it to lap my Naniwa Super Stones. When I flatten the Naniwas, I find the the pencil markings in the middle center of the stone always wear off first, and I find myself moving the center of the DMT to the corners, top, and bottom of the stone in order to remove the pencil. In other words, it feels like my DMT might have a bulge in the middle. Another method that has worked for me is to use the DMT perpendicular to the stone, running the middle of the DMT up and down the Naniwa.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Should I get a new DMT?

Thanks!

I have the same exact trouble with my DMT. The pencil marks in the center seem to rub off first and then I have to move to the edges to rub them off for a little while.

A bit off topic and not to hijack the thread but is there a holder for the DMT?

This is what I use,,,


Amazon.com: Steelex D1091 Sharpening Stone Holder: Home Improvement

Also, I have the same issue with my 325; seems to be more abrasive in the middle. Honestly, I think it's more due to the fact that you're putting more pressure on the middle of the plate. Even minor pressure variations (I would imagine) can be enough to make a difference when grid-lapping (whether or not the pencil dissappears).

Im just wondering if perhaps this is a new DMT that is new and is not "broke in"?

Originally Posted by anthogia

I have the same exact trouble with my DMT. The pencil marks in the center seem to rub off first and then I have to move to the edges to rub them off for a little while.

My naniwas do the same, but I think it's more the naniwa's fault than dmt's

My Naniwa was also high in the center. And I also noticed it's tendency to kinda sponge up a little water, and swell. Anyhow, I'm basically saying I second everything Gssixgun said. As if it's even necessary. Even to the point of saying I lapped it once....when I bought it, and never have since. The primary difference being that my "day one" was significantly more recent than his.