Thread: DMT Dia-Flat experiences

My current situation is I am using Naniwa Super Stones (1K, 5K, 8K and 12k) to hone. I originally purchased the larger Norton lapping plate after reading reviews that it worked well on Naniwa's (now I read bad reviews everywhere after the fact..funny how that works). My problem is that the lapping plate just feels smooth moving across all grits under a trickle of water. It has been cleaned but just seems to be doing nothing.
So.....I have been looking into getting a DMT Dia-Flat lapping stone. Does anyone have this particular plate and if so how do you like it? Pro? Cons? What stones do you lap with it?
I know this lapping plate is fairly expensive with regards to lapping plates, but I would rather spend the money in the first place (or second place!) and get something solid that works, will last and is flat!

thanks!

I have the lapping plate. If it's the same one I have, it's about 160 grit if I remember the packaging right and very gritty...I also have a DMT 325 grit 8" x 3" which is more appropriate, in my opinion, on my Norton 1k/8k combo, shapton, and naniwa stones. The DMT 325 is plenty abrasive and although not certified as flat is flat enough that I cannot measure the error and flattens my stones well enough to not make a difference at all. Hope this helps. I did use the DMT Dia-Flat lapping plate to flatten my Chinese 12k initially and it worked well for that but I had to go back and use the 325 afterwards to appease my OCD.

Thats my main concern is the lapping stone being and staying flat. The DMT Dia-flat is certified to 0.0005" which is flatter than one really needs, and you definately pay for that flatness but with it comes peace of mind I suppose. What I dont want to get into is buying a DMT 325 to save money, only to find out I need to invest more $$ to continually ensure the thing is flat to adequately flatten my Naniwa progression of stones.

My DMT 325 is more than flat enough and is a 1/4" steel, so you're not going to deform it out of flat. I got the lapping plate first, didn't like the large grit size, so I went with the 325. I'd get a 325 only if I had a chance...I just don't need the lapping plate's aggressiveness.

I too have the Norton lapping stone. Personal experience was that it was alright at best. Then K37 stopped over with his DMT 325. My goodness the difference was amazing, this stone is worth every penny and is going to be my next purchase.

Maybe look at the Atoma diamond plates as another option. They have good reviews here on SRP. I haven't bought one yet but will be getting one very shortly. The 1200 is what I'll be getting to lap my finer grit stones.

Atoma Diamond Plates - Lee Valley Tools

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Maybe look at the Atoma diamond plates as another option. They have good reviews here on SRP. I haven't bought one yet but will be getting one very shortly. The 1200 is what I'll be getting to lap my finer grit stones....

I just bought the 400 grit ATOMA for my Naniwa-collection.
As most of the guys here use the DMT325, and the Naniwa flattening plate for up to 12k stones is a 220 grit, I went for the 400 grit.
Additionally this way, I do have a 400 grit stone (-alike) in case coarser things need to be done

Lapping goes well with this, but I yet have no long term experience... currently experiencing a bit of a nightmare with my finer grit stones and hope the ATOMA will help me to get out there ( see this thread, if You like )

DMT has very good customer service from my experience and from things I have read.

Although not meant to be as flat as the lapping plate they have to be flat to function properly and DMT does stand behind their product.

Go with the dmt 325.. I own one as well as most of the guys here.. They are great.. I use mine to lap my 1,4,8,12,k hones with no problems ..

Originally Posted by Pkp1903

My current situation is I am using Naniwa Super Stones (1K, 5K, 8K and 12k) to hone. I originally purchased the larger Norton lapping plate after reading reviews that it worked well on Naniwa's (now I read bad reviews everywhere after the fact..funny how that works). My problem is that the lapping plate just feels smooth moving across all grits under a trickle of water. It has been cleaned but just seems to be doing nothing.
So.....I have been looking into getting a DMT Dia-Flat lapping stone. Does anyone have this particular plate and if so how do you like it? Pro? Cons? What stones do you lap with it?
I know this lapping plate is fairly expensive with regards to lapping plates, but I would rather spend the money in the first place (or second place!) and get something solid that works, will last and is flat!

thanks!

Not that much lapping is needed to smooth out your stone, which is probably why it feels like not much is being accomplished. I'll qualify that by saying that I lap the stones after each razor I hone.

The only lapping plate I have ever had is a DMT 325 (which is metal), but it probably won't perform any different than yours does. The only thing I have read about the Norton lapping plate is that since it is a stone it, too, needs to be lapped.