Thread: Norton lapping stone

Is it just me or is the lapping stone basically useless. I have one and it takes me FOREVER to remove the smallest amount from either sides of my 4k/8k. It almost feels like it's not doing anything. I've tried using sandpaper instead which removes material in seconds. Am I the only one with this problem or is it something others have experienced with the Norton lapping stone? Does it need to be soaked? What side should I use? I didn't get instructions with it so I'm a bit confused.


thanks,

JF

The lapping stone is useless. But no one ever listens to me, so I gave up the fight on that one.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

The lapping stone is useless. But no one ever listens to me, so I gave up the fight on that one.

It is inherently flawed (since it needs regular flattening itself), but when I used it it did at least remove material from the 4/8K.

My experience is that it doesn't even feel like it's doing anything. I takes FOREVER for the slighest sign of colour to show up.
I'm getting tired of spending like $10 each time on sandpaper...

If it's any consolation, my DMT D8C diamond plate is also painfully slow at lapping the Norton 4/8K.

(Partly because I brush it clean every 20 or 30 laps to prevent slurry stripping the diamonds off.)

Are you lapping under running water?

No, does that make a difference? never thought of that

I lapped with the hones submerged underwater. I wasn't taking any chances!

Sorry to be disagreeable, but I have had good success with my Norton lapping stone. I have used it on the 4k/8k Norton and my double sided barber stones. No problem. I also do the lapping under running water.

I had one to start with and they work. On Lynn's DVD he shows the one he was using at the time so it must have worked for him. OTOH, dial up worked for me but I progressed to broadband and it works better. I sold my Norton flattening stone after buying a DMT D8C continuous diamond plate. It works better. Always under running water with a pencil grid on the stone.

I may pick up a DMT D8XX. I figure being coarser it may be faster. Then draw another grid and hit it with the D8C to smooth it out a bit. Less wear and tear on the D8C and using what DMT recommends for the primary lapping. I have to get off of here and go hone a razor.