DMT 325 lapping stone or Norton lapping stone?

**raccoonandbrush** · 11-17-2010, 04:25 PM

I was originally planning on getting Norton's lapping stone to use on the Norton 4K/8K. I was thinking, if I decide to get another hone that isn't a Norton, wouldn't I have to get a different lapper? So now I just thought of the DMT 325 stone. I was wondering if I could use the DMT 325 on different brands of hones. So if I have a Norton 4K/8K and decide later to get a Naniwa 12K or Shapton 16K, could I use the DMT 325 to lap all of them?

**thanks** · 11-17-2010, 04:40 PM

When I had my Norton kit it came with the Norton lapping plate, and it was terrible. I think popular opinion seems to think it's inferior to a DMT. If you bump up to a DMT 600 it will take longer to use as a lapping plate on certain stones, but you have the added benefit of using it for bevel correction on eBay specials.

**Wid** · 11-17-2010, 05:12 PM

I have the Norton but do prefer a glass plate with wet/dry sand paper to it. Not that I don't still use it for a quick touch up now and again.

**Will P.C.** · 11-17-2010, 05:23 PM

325 can be used on all the hones you listed.

**raccoonandbrush** · 11-17-2010, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Will P.C.

325 can be used on all the hones you listed.

Even the Shapton? Because I heard that the DMT 325 is good for waterstones. Is a Shapton considered a waterstone?

**onimaru55** · 11-17-2010, 06:40 PM

Shaptons will lap just fine with diamond plates. DMT advise to not use finer than the 325 for lapping.

**raccoonandbrush** · 11-17-2010, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Shaptons will lap just fine with diamond plates. DMT advise to not use finer than the 325 for lapping.

Sweet! Time to order me a DMT 325!

**SliceOfLife** · 11-17-2010, 08:20 PM

If I were buying a stone for lapping, I'd want a 10x4" DMT XXC/C duosharp. But I don't think they make those.

That said, DMT is the way to go. I've heard mostly bad things about the Norton lapping stone, and almost everyone with DMT's seems happy with their performance as lapping stones.

**onimaru55** · 11-17-2010, 09:10 PM

Another nice plate is the Atoma by Tsuboman. The surface is arranged in a regular pattern of pimples that prevent the stone sticking to it. They come in grits from 140 -1200. The 1200 is great for making slurry on almost any stone. They are quite light in the hand. The thin steel diamond coated plate is glued to an aluminium block & is replaceable but they don't wear out real quick.

**dmcconnell** · 11-18-2010, 10:38 AM

I use a DMT8C to lap my Shapton glass stones -works great. I've owned the Norton lapping stone and it leaves a very rough surface on the hones. I would never touch it to a Shapton.