Thread: Which grade lapping stone for the 4000/8000 waterstone?

Originally Posted by bill3152

As far as I know they sell diamond coated steel plates. They are flat out of the box but need to be broken in with a hard piece of steel for about 20 minutes if you are going to use them on razors. If used for lapping I would rub some hard steel on it to knock off any loose diamonds, you don't want those in your hone. A flat piece of glass or granite tile would allow you to lap your Norton's with 220 grit wet dry. I have 325 600 and 1200 grits. I use the 325 for lapping.

I have never heard this before. Would it be okay to use a steel tool, like a spare wrench or something similar? I can't think of a place that sells steel by the hunk.

Also, a forum member mentioned that using a DMT on a fine grit stone such as a Naniwa 12k was bad news bears. Can anyone confirm this?

You should look at the Atoma 1200 as well for an option for lapping. I just bought one and it works so well on my Norton 4/8. Here's a thread I started a while ago and just posted on.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...oma-400-a.html

Originally Posted by Jonah

I have never heard this before. Would it be okay to use a steel tool, like a spare wrench or something similar? I can't think of a place that sells steel by the hunk.

Also, a forum member mentioned that using a DMT on a fine grit stone such as a Naniwa 12k was bad news bears. Can anyone confirm this?

The diamond coating is bonded but there are some loose particles that should be removed by metal scraping or they may get embedded in your hone. I have lapped my naniwa many times with my 325 and no issues. I use an old screwdriver shank with even pressure on the whole surface. I wet it and keep it moist, and wash off thoroughly after breaking in.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

You should look at the Atoma 1200 as well for an option for lapping. I just bought one and it works so well on my Norton 4/8. Here's a thread I started a while ago and just posted on.

DMT 325 and the Atoma 400

Thank you for clearing that up!

Originally Posted by SirStropalot

bluroot,

It's a metal plate and coated with diamond fixed with, I believe, nickel. Honing a razor isn't going to damage it.

However, it's not exactly a bevel setter. A 1k hone is more appropriate for bevel setting. The DMT is good for removing a lot of steel in short order. It's an aggressive hone for heavy, grunt work. Lapping stones, and heavy repairs are its main function.

Howard