Thread: Lapping Shapton Glass Stones

I have only heard good things about Shapton stones and I am wondering what everyone uses to lap them? I have seen posts where people use sand paper and I don't want to do that. I want to use a stone but people suggest different ones. I think the Chief Honemeister Lynn Abrams suggested using DMT stones. Can any lapping stone be used with the Shapton stones? And if I wanted to use a DMT stone would I use the 220 or maybe the 325? I was thinking about a DMT or using a Norton? What does everyone suggest?

I use a DMT 325 on mine. Works great.

Thanks guys! I've seen where people use the DMT 325 or 325 grit sandpaper. Would DMT 220 be too coarse? And would it be a bad idea to use a Norton or Naniwa lapping stone on a shapton?

Originally Posted by ChaddyOShaver

Thanks guys! I've seen where people use the DMT 325 or 325 grit sandpaper. Would DMT 220 be too coarse? And would it be a bad idea to use a Norton or Naniwa lapping stone on a shapton?

IMO, a 220 grit is too coarse...I wouldn't use it for final lapping, or any lapping on a Shapton. And, I'd never use the Norton or Naniwa lapping stone on a Shapton. But I don't use them on Nortons or Naniwas either. DMT, or Atoma and you'll be good to go!!

Howard

Ok. I use a Naniwa lapping stone on my Naniwa 12000 stone and I don't like it that much because the lapping stone is much smaller than the stone and I have to figure 8 it. I guess to me that's annoying. So I could use a DMT 325 for pretty much any stone?

Originally Posted by ChaddyOShaver

Thanks guys! I've seen where people use the DMT 325 or 325 grit sandpaper. Would DMT 220 be too coarse? And would it be a bad idea to use a Norton or Naniwa lapping stone on a shapton?

I lapped mine with a 220 DMT & it worked just fine. However, I also give them a couple of swirls with a 325 before each use. I recall reading that DMT does not recommend using anything finer than the 220 for lapping a stone - supposed to dislodge some of the diamonds. That's probably why so many of us have worn out 325's.



rs,
Tack

Yes, the DMT325 is a very good all around diamond plate (not a stone). It's good for lapping most any stone/hone, but you could wear one out on a Hard Arkansas stone...(another story).

The Norton and Naniwa lapping stones will also need lapped from time to time and you're back to lapping with sandpaper or a DMT.

You'll use the figure 8 or similar motion on any plate, etc. that is of a similar size to your hones.

Here's a lapping video by Lynn.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EGC2f3v...%3D