Thread: Shapton ceramic stones...

Originally Posted by Neunerball

I think, I'll go with the Norton honing stones (at least to get started). In addition, I'm thinking of going with the DMT Dia-Flat 95 Lapping Plate.

You don't really need the Dia-Flat. It will work but is a bit of overkill. That is for lapping (flattening) hones but it is quite aggressive and for that reason is not ideal for refreshing the hones' surfaces. You will be refreshing the hones a lot more often than than lapping them. In fact, regular refreshing has the cumulative effect of keeping the hone flat.

You would be better off with a higher grit plate.

Originally Posted by Utopian

You don't really need the Dia-Flat. It will work but is a bit of overkill. That is for lapping (flattening) hones but it is quite aggressive and for that reason is not ideal for refreshing the hones' surfaces. You will be refreshing the hones a lot more often than than lapping them. In fact, regular refreshing has the cumulative effect of keeping the hone flat.

You would be better off with a higher grit plate.

Would the DMT 120 micron/mesh be more suitable?

So, many of us here have used the DMT 8C 325 grit plate for years. It works fine IF you do not abuse it. The thing is, NONE of the DMT plates, other than the DiaFlat you mentioned, were designed for lapping. All the rest are meant to be hones, but the lower grit ones do work if they are treated right. Any of the DMTs that are 325 grit or lower will work for synthetic water hones.

If you'd like a cheaper option that gives you more options, THIS one is hard to beat for the price.