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It appears from the forum that the 325 DMT is a bit aggressive right out of the box for maintaining an already lapped Norton stone. So a DMT-D6C is 325 grit. The DMT-D6F is 600 grit. So would 600 be ok for maintaining a lapped surface? Basically just cleaning up and prepping the stone before each use. Should I go with the full 6X2" DMT or the credit card size?
325 should work fine
it will also mellow with time
Will the scratches left initially in say a 4/8K cause any issues with honing?
Use the 325 to sharpen some tool, knife or such, it should take out the odd loose diamond and crack any sticking up.
I do not think you will have issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasShaver
What most of us use is the D8C which is a 3x8 like the nortons. Using a shorter plate might work but IMO you're better off with the 8" plate. Going above 325, to the 600, or whatever is not recommended by Dia-Sharp, the maker of DMT. The plates will be ruined in the higher grits if used to lap waterstones. When using the D8C 325 they recommend doing so under running water. This will clear the swarf and prolong the life of the plate.
For a new DMT take a plane iron, chisel or if , like me, you haven't got those, a long heavy screw driver shank rubbed on the surface of the plate, paying special attention to the edges, will take down any high spots, divots that might scratch your stones. Do this with water with a couple of drops of dish soap in it. If you sharpen your kitchen cutlery on the plate the water/dish soap is also recommended by DMT.
Couldn't find anything in the Wiki, is there anything on "Lapping" and "Diamondplates"?
This, by Josh Earl, used to be in there ..... dunno if it is still ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemur
http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ing-101-a.html
I don't think you need to lap this lapping stone... I just ordered one and read up their perfectly flat and stay that way... unlike my piece of crap nortons which stopped worker after the first lapping - cool paperweight though :thinking:
You need to break it in, essential!Quote:
Originally Posted by LikesBBS
FFS - we can't just start lapping with it :gaah:. Who knew these rocks could be such a pain in the ass.
the DMT's really do stay flat though right :thinking:?
Yes they do. It is not lapping the lapping plate. You cannot lap a diamond plate. It is rubbing it down with some tool steel to flatten any surface divots in the diamonds in the nickel plate strata.Quote:
Originally Posted by LikesBBS
I could break it in with my face after what the nortons lapping stone did to me :rant:. breaking it in will be a good place to lose some frustration.
Cheers.
Well my only concern with purchasing the larger DMT is the $40-$50 more in price than the smaller DMT. Christ I dont even have $70 in all of my hones. I really didnt want to pay that much right now just to keep them maintained. For just cleaning and prepping the surface, does it really have to be the larger plate? Im sure it makes it easier, but it just seems a bit off to me to spend more on a lapping plate than I have in total on my actual honing stones.
I thought the 8" was recommended and ordered that. pretty sure it's the same size as most hones and imagine holding a 10" in your hands lol.
If you only going to use the Norton for razors it's going to stay flat for a long time.
Maybe there is someone close to you who can help you lap them now and you can get a DMT or such later.
Go to that hone lapping 101 I posted a link to earlier. Josh Earl demonstrates lapping using sandpaper on a flat surface. That works too.Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasShaver
Then get a credit card size 15 dollars!Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasShaver
But Im used to holding 10" in my hand... Wait... Wrong thread. Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by LikesBBS
But in all seriousness...
My Nortons have already been lapped and I've only honed 3-4 razors on them, I just want to keep them maintained so I dont screw up any of my razors, and pulling out 1000 grit wet/dry paper and glass each time I use my stones just to be sure it just a PITA. Honestly, Im thinking of taking Martin's suggestion and just picking up one of the credit card sized DMT's to use for refreshing and later on buy the full size DMT for lapping.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemur
Just a little hint,,
If you expect the lapping to actually flatten the Hone evenly, you want to have the Lapping Plate/Surface as large or larger then the Hone..
This is info you can find from multiple sources...
the 8" is about 50$ , that's not bad for a liftime lapper. Think of all the hones your RAD will make you buy if it sinks it;s teeth in :gl:
So I have to buy a huge plate for just cleaning and prepping the surface of a stone?
Honestly, thats pretty idiotic. For the periodic re-lapping of the stones I dont care about just using something like glass and sandpaper as thats worked already and should be a hell of a lot easier the second time around.
And $50 for a 325 is from SRD which shows out of stock. From Woodcraft, which would also save me shipping, its about $70. But once you figure in shipping from SRD, the price is gonna be pretty close to exactly the same.
Your thinking of buying one - I just did. My thoughts were along the lines that it's a life-time lapper, stays flat, saves money since you wont have to keep buying sandpaper, and ease in use. But I'm new to this lol.
I also intend to lap my hones after every use so they stay clean/flat.
:gl:
You could also phone around town and see if any places near you have them, could be cheaper and save you from shipping fee's - worth a shot :hmmm:
ive used my ( pretty worn) one to take chips out of blades also !! its your cash-o-la but like a hone its an investment thats gonna be around for along time !! shoot ive spent as much on the DMT as i have on razors that i dont even use ...:banghead: ... lolQuote:
Originally Posted by TexasShaver
I just got my DMT 8C a couple of weeks ago, and was able to break it in just fine by setting bevels on a few knives. But before that, I used a cheaper, we'll-worn Smith diamond hone to lap my Nortons with great results. I've got the orange/fine model, about $30 at most outdoor stores locally as I recall. I'm now just doing a few quick, light figure 8's between razors with the DMT, and then another couple of quickies with the Much finer Smith for glass-smooth finishes on all my stones. Either way, a big diamond plate of some sort is a versatile and invaluable tool in the honer's arsenal.
You do not need DMT. Colleagues here suggested other alternatives which are significantly cheaper than the plate. I have quite few hones and do not have any DMT plate.Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasShaver
Reason why many people buy DMT is that it could be for them more convenient, faster to use and cleaner than sand paper or loose grit methods.
You don't need Porsche to get you to work which is not far. Old trusty Ford can do it too though in less glamorous way.
I lapped my nortons and new cotis on sandpaper and a marble plate ($4 from Home Depot) for weeks. A friend talked me into getting the DMT 325 and now I can't imagine being without it. Really versatile tool. Laps all my stones and handles heavy chip removal on vintage blades.
Well obviously this thread has brought out the thin skinned people but I make no apologies.
Anyway, the fact is that I asked simply what is a way to maintain stones BETWEEN lapping. I dont really care about lapping every so often sandpaper and glass, but Im getting pretty sick of it every single time I sit down with a new razor. Maybe its complete newbie ignorance or razors are completely different from every other type of metal that can be sharpened, but all I want is something that can clean up and brush off and metal particulates that might remain on the stone after dragging a piece of steel across it a couple dozen times. Obviously they dont need to be lapped all the time because if they did, a set of Norton's would only last a year or two for someone who hones alot.
I've gotten some good advice from a few people that I am probably going to follow, namely the ones who havent said that its an absolute necessity to buy a full size DMT plate just for cleaning a stone.
Being rude just really isn't conducive to what SRP is all about there Tex :(
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