Thread: lapping a hone using diamond plates - plate sizes and hone types

hey guys,
Im kinda resurrecting an old thread and asking a few questions at the same time.

So I have just spend about 20 -30 mins lapping a C12k that i had a while ago and have never really been convinced is perfectly flat, Ive been working on it using some good quality 320 grit wet n dry and am now a lot more satisfied that its flatter than it was.

however my ocd is starting to come out a little bit and I'm convinced I can get it flatter so i started reading some threads on here regarding diamond plates and decided that I'm going to get one next month when i get paid.

In this thread http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...5-lapping.html one of the people responding to the op about plates, mentions he is using a 6" x 2" plate to lap with, is there a disadvantage to using a smaller plate apart from it needing a little more work to lap a stone?

on a final question should i need to lap a 1k naniwa super stone out of the box? I've read a few posts on here and other places suggesting that it should be lapped, but then i've also seen a few reviews and youtube videos whereby people suggest that the stone shouldn't need lapping out of the box, and on that if it needs lapping, would a 6" x 2" dmt be capable of lapping it? as the naniwa is going to be at least a half inch if not an inch wider than the plate.

any feedback is appreciated as id prefer to get the right bits to-do this correctly the first time.

kris

Yes, that is the correct DMT 325.
I would strongly suggest you get the 8*3 though.
That will also do a fine job on most any other hone you might get.

Yes, the Naniwa SS will need a good lapping prior to initial use.
And on a regular basis after that.
I try to flatten all stones in the same state as I use them for honing.
In other words, soak or wet the stone prior to lapping, just as you would before honing.

ok well thats good to know that the naniwa is going to need a lapping to begin with, and at least once I have the dmt I can finally ease my ocd by flattening all of the stones in one go

thanks for the quick reply

I'll second the use of a larger diamond plate. The lap needs to be larger or equal to the size of the stone for an even result.