Thread: Is It Necessary To Use Figure 8's When Lapping?

I use all of them but always end with the 8's also you want to spin the target Stone/Hone occasionally, that whole objective is eveness so the more rotations and pattern changes you do, the more likely you will get a nice smooth even result IME

Unless you are applying precise and even pressure throughout your lapping process, it is a great idea to do what Glen mentioned. Spinning the stone as well as a combination of 'strokes', circles in both directions, ups and downs, lefts and rights, ending with figure 8's will give the best result without giving yourself carpal tunnel syndrome.

My handidness dictates that I can use all types of strokes on lapping but figure 8? No my brain doesn't do figure 8's But I do reverse the stone a lot and do mostly ovals and circles. works great for me any way. IMHO only!!

tinkersd

When you lap anything,be it stones,lathe bits,all cutting tools,A Figure 8 pattern should always be used,is a standard used by all machinists.
The idea being, even if the lapping plate is not 100% flat,you will get a 100% coverage