Thread: Maintaining a lapped stone

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.

Originally Posted by TexasShaver

Will the scratches left initially in say a 4/8K cause any issues with honing?

I do not think you will have issues.

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"?

Originally Posted by Lemur

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 ?

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

Originally Posted by LikesBBS

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

You need to break it in, essential!