Thread: Lapping a surgical black Arkansas

I procured a black arky benchstone, and I'm tearing through some 3M 220 wetordry trying to get this thing flat. Any suggestions?

The last two arkies I bought(both translucents), I resorted to using my 4x36 belt sander with a 50 grit belt. After that it was a breeze smoothing them out and burnishing them.

Okay, any suggestions that don't require me to purchase pricey equipment?

Originally Posted by apvonkanel

Okay, any suggestions that don't require me to purchase pricey equipment?

Elbow grease and an extra course DMT. Still costs money, but not nearly what a belt sander would cost.

I'm trying to lap one right now myself. Tedious.

to prep a hard or translucent/surgical black i lap them with a 325 dmt(use water) after that i use a 3x1 translucent pocket stone to rub down the stone to smooth it over(use oil ) for the last step i use a steel block(or a knife ) and rub the stone until there is swarf all over the stone(use oil) i repete this three times to get the broken in feel after this process the stone should have a smooth reflective surface and will deliver the best results thats with in your stone ability.

Will the DMT work substantially faster than 220 sandpaper?

The dmt may make it go faster but will still take time. The dmt is nice cause you don't risk getting grit embedded in a hone and you don't have to keep on stopping to replace the sand paper. Also you can use it on any other hones you have.

One other option I resorted to was a palm sander with wet/dry paper. Just make sure you keep it moving once you put it on the hone. You will have to stop often and replace the paper though.

Ps: for what you will probably end up paying for paper you could come close to getting the dmt.

I know this sounds pretty far out, but if it's pretty far out of whack, and it's a surgical black, it's going to take a TON of effort and time. I recently did what we think is a black ark, and I had to use a belt sander. Even with the belt sander, I spent a few sheets of paper getting it decent enough to use. Mine wasn't even dipped btw. I think it's never been used. I'd resort to pricey equipment. Honestly, after you have it, you'll find all sorts of ways it's handy to have around. At least mine has become just about my favorite tool to use. Fixes everything it seems.

Fastest method I've used is SiC powder slurry on glass. It's also the messiest method I've used. 80 grit is very aggressive & a good starting point but you can get coarser if you think it's needed, then progress to whatever you like to finish on. A belt sander sounds ideal tho if the stone is really dished.
I don't think there's huge risk of embedding grit in a black ark.

And here is another approach:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...one-video.html