Thread: Can you lap a 10x3 stone with a 6x3 diamond plate.

I'm planning on getting a 10x3 Zulu grey soon and I was wondering if I could lap it with a diamond plate or if I need something else. Also how would you attempt to lap a stone of that size?

Just grid line it, then lap it,,,,hold the stone in one hand, the plate in the other & lap under running water.

NOPE.......

The lapping surface has to be larger than the stone. Get a piece of 325 wet and dry and a cookie sheet.

If you use a small plate the stone will never be flat.

Why would you want a stone that big?

Originally Posted by Euclid440

The lapping surface has to be larger than the stone. Get a piece of 325 wet and dry and a cookie sheet.

If you use a small plate the stone will never be flat.

Why would you want a stone that big?

My mother is buying it for me and I didn't decline her offer.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

The lapping surface has to be larger than the stone. Get a piece of 325 wet and dry and a cookie sheet.

If you use a small plate the stone will never be flat.

Why would you want a stone that big?

+1 on why the need for a stone that size.

I don't think it would be impossible to lap though. I rarely have my lapping stone make full contact with the hone being lapped, so it should be possible. Grid lines will be your friend.

Once you get it flat on some wet & dry you could just refresh with a smaller plate, but an 8 inch would be easier. I’m not one that believes that dead flat is an absolute, especially for a finisher, smooth is more important, but you should get it close to begin with and no dips. A lapping plate, almost half the size of the stone could be a problem, and just ride over the high spots.

Those stones are a bit on the brittle side, you may want to mount it or make a case so you don’t break it.

A 8 in DMT is not that pricy, about $50.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Once you get it flat on some wet & dry you could just refresh with a smaller plate, but an 8 inch would be easier. I’m not one that believes that dead flat is an absolute, especially for a finisher, smooth is more important, but you should get it close to begin with and no dips. A lapping plate, almost half the size of the stone could be a problem, and just ride over the high spots.

Those stones are a bit on the brittle side, you may want to mount it or make a case so you don’t break it.

A 8 in DMT is not that pricy, about $50.

Luckily it's a inch thick. We'll be getting a full slab from Zulugrey.com if you want to know exactly what I'm getting.

Lapping a stone with a diamond plate that is considerably smaller is not advisable. You might get lucky and get it reasonably flat, but odds are that it won't stay that way for long after repeated lapping. Removing grid lines is NOT an accurate indicator of flatness. Get a reference straight edge and use feeler gages if you want to know whether your stone is actually flat.

DMT D10C - NEW PROFESSIONAL DMT D10C 10-Inch Dia-Sharp Continuous Diamond COARSE STONE NEW

This is what I have and it works great!

An affordable method would be a 12x12 marble tile from a store like home depot and wet/dry sandpaper. That Zulu would eat it to pieces though.

Have you considered the G20? I love mine much more than the ZG...