Thread: Can I flatten or lap a Norton 4/8k with this?

I have a 6" x 2" DMT Diasharp extra course diamond stone. I realize that the 8" extra extra coarse would probably work much better but I don't want to have to buy that if I already have a extra course 6" if I don't have to.

I want to buy the Norton 4/8k but would like to be able to flatten it with my current DMT.

Just got done lapping a Brand New Norton 4000/8000. Used a Norton Flatting Stone. I never used a Diasharp, but see no reason you cant get by with it. I have heard of people that have used it to lap with. I'm sure others here can advise you also...

Originally Posted by officerdread

Just got done lapping a Brand New Norton 4000/8000. Used a Norton Flatting Stone. I never used a Diasharp, but see no reason you cant get by with it. I have heard of people that have used it to lap with. I'm sure others here can advise you also...

From what I have read, a Diasharp is one of the best and easiest ways to flatten stones so it is much more than something you can get by with. Most of the things I have read states that the Diasharp is superior in flattening than the Norton flattening stone (or other brand of flattening stone) because the Diasharps will stay flat.

My question is will a 6" Diasharp work because most use the 8"?

DMTs are ideal for lapping stones but as has been mentioned it is usually the 8" version that is used because it more closely matches the size of your Norton 4k/8k.

I haven't used the 6" version before, but hopefully someone will chime in with some hands-on experience.

That having been said, I'm sure it could be made to work. You would however need to be extra careful to ensure even coverage of the stone with the DMT. You can also use some wet/dry sandpaper placed on a FLAT surface. (marble tile, glass stovetop, etc. Anything as long as its *really* flat and not just kinda flat).

Whichever method you choose, mark up the stone's surface with a pencil grid. That will show whether any spots are being missed, and give you a good indication of when the stone is flat. And when you think it is flat, do the pencil test one more time to ensure the marks didn't simply wash off.

I use the 6" DMT with no problems just make sure to use a grid and a figure 8 motion to make sure you get the whole stone.

Originally Posted by Castel33

I use the 6" DMT with no problems just make sure to use a grid and a figure 8 motion to make sure you get the whole stone.

Thank you. That is good to know. My DMT is XC/C. Would you just use the XC for both the 4k and 8k of the Norton, or would you incorporate the Course instead?

I only have the coarse one so that is what I use for both.

We talk a lot about lapping here with good reason but probably the best thing I ever read was by Lynn where he said that before the Internet and all these fancy stones and tools he use to only use a pumice stone to flatten his norton.