Thread: DMT D8E use both sides?

Probably a dumb question, BUT. The DMT seems to be "different" one side to the other. Maybe it is dirty, I haven't cleaned it yet. One side is rather shinny and smooth feeling the other a bit duller to sight and seems just not as smooth. Just wondering. There is no indication as to using only one side so I think if I wash the stone it will be the same on both sides. Oh, one other observation. I also have a new Norton 4k/8k and running my finger over them they seem to have more texture to the surface of the stone than the 1200 DMT. The DMT at 1200 grit rating will be more abrasive, no?

An honest question given that the DMTs are just steel plates with the nickel bonded diamond slurry.

Look at the side of the plate. You'll see black ink DMT and listing the model and grit. When it's right side up, THAT'S the side you'll use to hone or finish lap a stone on.

The underside that it strictly steel will do absolutely nothing for you in relation to honing. It would be bad to use that side. Actually..........you COULD use the steel underside as a hone by applying diamond pastes I would think. Hmmmmmm interesting thought there.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

An honest question given that the DMTs are just steel plates with the nickel bonded diamond slurry.

Look at the side of the plate. You'll see black ink DMT and listing the model and grit. When it's right side up, THAT'S the side you'll use to hone or finish lap a stone on.

The underside that it strictly steel will do absolutely nothing for you in relation to honing. It would be bad to use that side. Actually..........you COULD use the steel underside as a hone by applying diamond pastes I would think. Hmmmmmm interesting thought there.

Chris L

Would diamond pastes adhere to the metal surface though? I thought the pastes worked well on balsa or leather because they are slightly pourous, so it really had something to hold onto. Maybe it would work, but I can't picture the diamond paste really "sticking" to plain metal. Just hypothesizing...that's all

Dave

It's only a theory since I haven't experimented with it. However, I know that it's been an effective practice for woodworkers to use flat steel plates and diamond pastes to lap and sharpen chisels and plane irons.

CHECK IT OUT

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

An honest question given that the DMTs are just steel plates with the nickel bonded diamond slurry.

Look at the side of the plate. You'll see black ink DMT and listing the model and grit. When it's right side up, THAT'S the side you'll use to hone or finish lap a stone on.

The underside that it strictly steel will do absolutely nothing for you in relation to honing. It would be bad to use that side. Actually..........you COULD use the steel underside as a hone by applying diamond pastes I would think. Hmmmmmm interesting thought there.

Chris L

Thanks, I see!!!!!

Do you think the back side of the steel plate is flattened to the same specs as the side they apply the diamond grit to?

I think it is, Quick. Just a hunch based on the fact that the D8EE looks virtually identical in surface, meaning that the side with the abrasive certainly isn't milled flat. I haven't taken a straight edge to the underside of my DMTs though. It'd be fun to do that and see if they seem flat.

Chris L