Thread: DMT stone lapping

I see DMT has a dedicated lapping plate for hones. Quite a few hold the DMT 325 in high esteem. Has any one used the lapping plate? Its a pricy bugger, and I can't seem to find a "grit" rating on it... But I am curious, and am wondering how they fair side by side on synthetics and naturals.

Be careful. I got the one I think you're referring to (10x3 or something for $195) and it was 160 grit...far more abrasive than you want for everyday lapping or touching up.

Perfect! Thank you!

Originally Posted by K37

Be careful. I got the one I think you're referring to (10x3 or something for $195) and it was 160 grit...far more abrasive than you want for everyday lapping or touching up.

This is true...now it is nice for a stone that needs a lot of workit is a very agressive stone. The 325 is good for 90% of your flattening chores. the one k37

If you want a little bigger plate they make a 325 in 4x10, I believe. I have one and use it on Naniwas and a zulu Gray stone.

Bob

I just use a piece of wet or dry sandpaper on my kitchen counter. It there really a reason to spend a bunch of money to flatten a piece of rock?

Originally Posted by mdarnton

I just use a piece of wet or dry sandpaper on my kitchen counter. It there really a reason to spend a bunch of money to flatten a piece of rock?

Not really, if you are only doing very little honing as in just maintaining a couple of blades. If you are doing a fair but of honing and restoring it can be a more convenient and efficient way of doing things.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Not really, if you are only doing very little honing as in just maintaining a couple of blades. If you are doing a fair but of honing and restoring it can be a more convenient and efficient way of doing things.

Bob

Newbie here. Reading through the honing wiki I noticed the DMT 325 on the list of 1k stones (lowest for full honing progression). However, I've seen it all over the forums for lapping, but can you also use this to set a bevel on a razor? If this is so I was thinking about getting a 12k stone to maintain but, needed to lap it, getting the dmt as an investment for later when I might actually put it to use.

Also, I've read someone posting that the 6 inch (under 30 bucks) was adequate. Almost everyone refers to the 8 inch dmt that matches the size of many other recommended stones. Any words of wisdom about that? Like I said, I'm just in the reading phase and don't understand how this works yet. I understand that people buy the stand for the dmt and run stones upside down to lap, correct? Could you gain a similar effect by laying the stone to be lapped normally and running a smaller dmt plate upside down to lap that way? I understand it wouldn't cover the entire surface area of the other stone that way, but seems like it'd be big enough to get things straight. Just asking - I have much more research to do before I buy anything.

p.s. It seemed like the original question was answered, so I just chimed in here with my own and also picking up on, "It there really a reason to spend a bunch of money to flatten a piece of rock?"

The DMT 325 is the Highest grit plate that can be used safely for lapping, using the higher ones runs the risk of undercutting the Diamonds
Using the lower grit DMT lapping plates work Very Very fast they leave some pretty deep grooves and waste a ton of material.
The DMT 325 is useful for Restoration it is pretty harsh for honing
Besides the obvious ease of operation over Sandpaper there is also the risk of embedding grit from the sandpaper in many of the waterstones
The DMT lapping plate should be as big or bigger then the stones you plan on lapping to get the most even results
The DMT 325 can also be used to raise a slurry
The DMT 325 can easily be used to clean or "Dress" the surface of the water stone
The DMT 325 can be used to actually re-contour the edge of Restores


I am probably forgetting some also but all this can be found all over the forum


Myself, I use the DMT 325 more then any other hone or stone I own, but I have never used one to set a bevel

I have a few of DMT stones in various grits and find the 325 the most versatile between my hand plane blades, spokeshaves, knives, axes, their hones and now straight razor hones. I personally wouldn't go below a 8x3 for lapping because you won't get it flat as well...ideally the lapping plate should be bigger than the item being lapped but not completely necessary...you could use a 6 inch. The stand isn't necessary although convenient.