Another Lapping Thread....

[brooksie967]

I am looking to purchase some lapping equipment... Right now my progression consists of a Chosera 1k, the welsh slate trio, an ozuku mizu asagi and asano nagura trio and a wakasa tomo nagura. I'm getting a coticule over the next day or two as well.

I've used Ironsidegnr's DMT lapping plate on my naturals and found that it leaves aggressive cuts in the face of my stones. To combat this I simply use some 400 grit wet/dry sand paper on my glass stove top surface to 'polish' them out.

I'd like to avoid the sandpaper phase completely. Should I be looking at 2 or 3 DMT diasharp bench stones or a few Atomas? If I use them in a progression will they remove these gouges or not?

I've tried honing off the surface left by the dmt on the welsh slate trio and it really seems to have a negative effect on the edge produced. Once i take them up to 400 or 600 grit sandpaper and all the gouges are removed, magic seems to happen again.

Any help would be appreciated!

[JimmyHAD]

Word on the street is the atoma is the king of the hill among lapping plates nowadays. I've got one on my get it list if my ship ever comes in.

[brooksie967]

Any word on DMT lapping plate vs the diasharp and their ability to lap whetstones? The 'lapping plate' seems to be twice the price of their diasharp bench stones, which in the description, mention they can be used for lapping whetstones... I don't get it!

[JimmyHAD]

Any word on DMT lapping plate vs the diasharp and their ability to lap whetstones? The 'lapping plate' seems to be twice the price of their diasharp bench stones, which in the description, mention they can be used for lapping whetstones... I don't get it!

Dia-Sharp makes DMT. The XX (120) and the D8C (325) are two that I have. They are alright and I've been using them for a number of years. If you don't like the surface following the 325 you won't like the 120.

From your description of 'aggressive cuts in the face of your stone' I would bet there are divots on the edges of the lapping plate. I don't have chisels or plane irons so I took a large .... 12" Stanley screwdriver and rubbed the plate down vigorously with the shank. Making sure to give special attention to the edges/corners to knock down any protrusions. If you do that, or your friend does, since it is his plate, use a couple of drops of dish soap in the water. Do not do it dry. Should make a big difference unless you have a defective plate.

[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?

[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

[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!