Lapping a Norton 4000/8000

[mistreated]

Hi guys,
I am new to B&B and I have a question about lapping.
I currently use norton stones. What would you guys recommend for lapping the 4000/8000?
Regards,
Tony

 

[oakeshott]

I went with a flat marble tile from Home Depot on which I placed a sheet of 1000 grit wet dry sandpaper. Others here are much, much more experienced though. Listen to what they have to say as well.

 

[Wid]

Wet/dry sand paper works good. Make sure to use it on a known flat surface, I use 1/4" plate glass.

 

[Legion]

I used the glass plate, wet dry paper as well, although I lapped on about 240 grit, and then finished on 1k, just to speed up the process. A 325 DMT plate is the best, but it depends on your budget and how often you need to do it.

 

[mistreated]

I own a Norton flattening stone but it doesn't seem to do the job. I've am currently using a wet 100 grit sandpaper on a 13x13 marble tile and I get better results.
Do you think the 100 grit is too corse?

 

[Wid]

I would go up to at least 600. Personally I always went to 1K grit.

 

[mistreated]

I think I will try the progression from 240 to 1000 grit paper.
Thanks guys.

 

[Legion]

I own a Norton flattening stone but it doesn't seem to do the job. I've am currently using a wet 100 grit sandpaper on a 13x13 marble tile and I get better results.
Do you think the 100 grit is too corse?

Maybe a little, but as long as everything is kept flat it should work. It wouldn't hurt to smooth the stone on some finer paper a bit before you hone.

 

[Gamma]

All good ideas above - one thing though - remember to lap under running water and to clear the swarf out with figure 8 patterns.

 

[Legion]

All good ideas above - one thing though - remember to lap under running water and to clear the swarf out with figure 8 patterns.

You might have trouble lapping under running water, depending on what flat surface you are using with the paper. Personally, I just keep everything wet, and rinse the paper if the slurry builds up too thick. With a DMT, sure, under running water is good.

 

[mistreated]

Great advice.
Lapping is the first step to a comfortable shave.

 

[rickboone1]

Wet/dry sand paper works good. Make sure to use it on a known flat surface, I use 1/4" plate glass.

where do you get this?

 

[Legion]

The glass plate I used was out of a light fixture. It was about 1/4" thick, and about 12" square.

 

[Wid]

where do you get this?

One piece was from an old end table and another I bought from a local glass house.

 

[Gamma]

You or someone else might have trouble but I certainly don't - and that's on any surface the w/d is on.

You might have trouble lapping under running water, depending on what flat surface you are using with the paper. Personally, I just keep everything wet, and rinse the paper if the slurry builds up too thick. With a DMT, sure, under running water is good.

 

[Legion]

You or someone else might have trouble but I certainly don't - and that's on any surface the w/d is on.

I guess it depends on the size of the flat surface being used V's the size of the sink in the honing area. I was using a piece of glass that did not fit well into the sink, so it was a choice of lap, rinse, lap, rinse, or make a great big mess with water and slurry everywhere, trying to do the whole thing under running water.

 

[Puerco]

For this reason I do my lapping in the shower, just make sure to clean the area before SWMBO finds out!!!

 

[oakeshott]

All good ideas above - one thing though - remember to lap under running water and to clear the swarf out with figure 8 patterns.

Gamma,
I keep seeing this suggestion to lap under running water, but don't understand why. Like Legion, I can't fit my flat surface lapping plate into the sink, but lap, rinse, lap some more and rinse and so on. Why is the running water preferable and does it make a meaningful difference at all grit levels (i.e. 1k ) or only the higher ones.

 

[Puerco]

Gamma,
I keep seeing this suggestion to lap under running water, but don't understand why. Like Legion, I can't fit my flat surface lapping plate into the sink, but lap, rinse, lap some more and rinse and so on. Why is the running water preferable and does it make a meaningful difference at all grit levels (i.e. 1k ) or only the higher ones.

If you use a diamond plate the slurry created (from the stone) will wear away the substrate the diamonds are embedded in. With nothing to hold them your diamonds can come loose.

 

[Gamma]

The running water clears the swarf from the stone immediately.
Yes, it makes an appreciable difference in the process on any stone.
That swarf will impede or prevent the lapped surface from becoming truly flat.
Now - some say flat 'enough' is fine. So if flat enough is fine then my point isn't important.
I see a marked improvement in any stone's performance when it's flat vs when it's dished or just not flat or whatever.
Doesn't mean you can't hone on a not-flat stone. Just means that it's my experience that flattened stones work better.


If the 'trouble' is that the sink can't accommodate the lapping surface - that's a hurdle.
I thought 'trouble' meant something else, like not being able to hold the plate or something.
I'd probably use a bucket or something then. Or get a smaller lapping surface if possible.
If you have to lap and rinse because there is no way to use running water, then so be it.
Lap and rinse will then be the only option.
Mostly, what I was trying to relate is that the swarf has to go - I read a thread where someone was lapping dry and not getting anywhere. Doing so caused him serious problems with the hone and the DMT. So I always mention the need to clear the lapping surface.