Flattening a New Norton 4k/8k?
I got a new Norton 4000/8000 stone for Christmas. This is my first big-boy hone (I've been getting along thus far with a Col.Conk box-set hone), and I've got some questions about commissioning it for its first use.
As I was led to expect, the stone was NOT ready for use out-of-the-box. My first attempt at flattening it yielded mixed results, so now I'm turning to y'all's collective wisdom to set me on the right course.
For my first stab at flattening, I used the sandpaper and pencil-grid method. I started with Norton 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper laid over a marble floor tile. I rubbed the face on the sandpaper in figure-eights until a thick yellow slurry developed and the sandpaper seemed completely clogged. Then I changed it for a fresh sheet of 400 grit. The first result was that the grid in the middle wore off before the corners. I thought this was promising, but three sheets and a lot of elbow grease later, the surface was noticeably smoother in the middle, but the edges are still rough.
What's my problem? The most obvious possibility to me is that 400 grit was too high to start with. I was afraid of scarring the surface with anything lower, but if that's what is called for, I'll head back to the hardware store and do it. I've got five sheets of 600 grit waiting in the wings, but I figured I'd just be wasting it if I moved up before the whole surface was 400-grit smooth.
How should I proceed from here? Move up in grit? Move down? Yet more time on 400 grit? Use the slurry (I still have used sheets with the dried slurry)? Sinking the cash for a Norton flattening stone is an option, too, if that will really give me the best results.
Thanks in advance, with more questions sure to come . . .
Alexander