Another Lapping Thread....

[Datsots]

I have been using a eze lap 600 grit 6"x2" diamond stone to good effect on all my stones. But only because that is what I got a decade ago for knife sharpening, and I'm to cheep to buy a larger one.

I wouldn't get the in my opinion overly flat lapping plate. I just don't think that level of precision is necessary.

Jonathan

[brooksie967]

Is atoma still using an aluminum base with the other piece bonded to it?

[JimmyHAD]

Is atoma still using an aluminum base with the other piece bonded to it?

Yeah, so I hear. A friend of mine bought the 1200 and loves it. He then bought the replacement sheet for the 400 and bonded it to the smooth side of the 1200. Saved a few $ on buying the whole other plate. Another friend told me the 600 is better to go along with the 1200 because the 400 is coarser than a DMT 325. Just what I hear.

The cool thing, if it plays out in the long run, is that according to the scuttlebutt the 1200 atoma is fine for lapping waterstones. Dia-Sharp doesn't recommend going over 325 as you'll ruin the plate. Apparently atoma is made differently with the diamonds laid out to where it won't scrape them off when lapping. Of course you can buy 3 DMT D8Cs for the price of one atoma ...... you pays your money and you takes your chances.

[gssixgun]

After using a DMT 325 that has had the High Diamonds knocked down like Jimmy said, if I want Super Smooth I go to either a 1000 Grit hone or a Larger Arkansas stone to get that shine if I want it, depends on what stone I am working on...

[brooksie967]

Great tips guys. I'm thinking the 400 and 1200 atoma since I can get them shipped free from lee valley for $99 a piece. That 'shine', Glen, is what I'm going for, especially on my JNAT!

[gssixgun]

Yep the Arkansas will get it there, pretty cheaply too

I use the DMT 120 for heavy work then the 325 I have tried the high polish, but honestly I haven't ever found any improvement, but YYMV and you have to try it to know for sure..

I was really into the High Polish on all my Hones right up until I bought the insanely expensive Shapton 30k and DGLP and realized that the highest grit (Proved) hone uses a 325 grit for lapping.. After that I really never worried much, but it is something you have to try for yourself

There is some good stuff about lapping in the archives from "Mparker" you should search it out

[SirStropalot]

I got the Atoma 1200 for my Jnats and tried it right out of the package, as many said they had. It left a lot of scratches on the stone. I then used an old meat cleaver at a steep, maybe 45 deg, angle and ran that over the Atoma and made sure I got the sides and ends too. It took about 3 times of several passes, but the 1200 now puts a finish on stones without visible scratches that when looked across at a shallow angle has the shine. If I want a real burnish, like Glen said, I use a Black Arkansas. I'm really liking the Atomas.

Howard

[brooksie967]

So i'm doing it again.... second guessing my purchase. Seems like I can make a decision on a razor no problem. A soap/cream/aftershave, no problem. When it comes to hones it's like.... i need people to make the decision for me these days. Maksim picked my jnat for me, you guys picked my 1k for me, jimmy picked my new coticule for me..... someone pick my lapping equipment for me?

[onimaru55]

someone pick my lapping equipment for me?

Easy! Get the 400 & 1200 Atoma.

[BobH]

Brooksie

I got the same problem with my DMT 8 inch 320 so I just use wet/dry sandpaper on it to lap my stones.

Jimmy

Thanks for the tip on how to fix the plate. I might give it a try.

Bob