Thread: Unsure about lapping

So I recently got a 120 micron diamond plate, as I broke my lapping plate. I used this once in my stones, and they all got nice and flat, but my higher stones, seemed to be a lower grit quality after....is that possible with shaptons? I mean it's a synthetic stone with pre decided grit particles. Or am I destroying my finishing stones? One thing is that, after lapping it was a bit rough, but pretty quick they smoothed out, also is it ok to use an 8k stone, as a slurry stone? Meaning, I have an extra 8k shapton, and was considering cutting a portion off to use as a slurry stone.

I would not bother cutting your 8K. Use it like it is as a slurry stone. It will work just fine for making slurry no matter the size. As of your lapping plate, if in doubt you can lap to a higher grit on wet dry to experiment on how that feels when you hone. As you are just taking the 325 scratches off it won't take much. I usually dress finish stones with an old wore out 600 grit diamond hone.

So is it ok to use the 8k for slurry on higher than 8k hones? Or should I keep it to strictly 8k hones?

That depends. If the higher grit hone is softer you will wind up with higher grit slurry, but if the higher grit hone in the same or harder the slurry will be a mix or 8K slurry. Which is not really what you are looking creating. Most often I use a slurry stone that came with that hone of generate slurry with my old diamond hone.

Would you say something more like 220 micron is better for lapping and slurry making?

I'm not sure about the micron ratings. I think that 600 grit is about 30 microns. So as you microns get bigger they get more coarse. So 220 micron is more coarse than 150 micron. Ideally you want smaller micron numbers to get finer finishes.

Ok, I see. Thank you!

Dramadon, is your Shapton a Professional or a GlassStone?

Also, what brand and model is your 120 grit diamond plate?

It's a professional, the plate is a dia-sharp

Originally Posted by Dramadon3151

It's a professional, the plate is a dia-sharp

Originally Posted by Dramadon3151

So I recently got a 120 micron diamond plate, as I broke my lapping plate. I used this once in my stones, and they all got nice and flat, but my higher stones, seemed to be a lower grit quality after....is that possible with shaptons? I mean it's a synthetic stone with pre decided grit particles. Or am I destroying my finishing stones? One thing is that, after lapping it was a bit rough, but pretty quick they smoothed out, also is it ok to use an 8k stone, as a slurry stone? Meaning, I have an extra 8k shapton, and was considering cutting a portion off to use as a slurry stone.

OK, here's the deal. The 120 grit plate is great for getting a hone flat but it is leaving the surface of the hone too rough. This could be beneficial for your lower grit hones but it is leaving too rough of a surface on your higher grit hones that need a finer polish. The higher grit hones wear more slowly and really need a refreshing of the surface more than a lapping and that occasional refreshing likely is sufficient to keep the hones flat. You would be much better off with a higher grit diamond plate like a 1000 or 1200, or a even a well worn DMT8C 325 grit.