Thread: Lapping a Norton 4k/8k

Gents,
I'm just about to purchase my first wetstone, the Norton 4k/8k combo stone, but have read here (and elsewhere) that the stone should be lapped before use to ensure a flat surface since the Norton's aren't usually perfectly true to start with.

I don't really fancy buying the $30 flattening stone, although I will if needs must, but I am really looking for a less expensive alternative. I've heard something about using a piece of plexi-glass and high-grit wet sandpaper, but can't for the life of me figure out how you would do this? Hold the sandpaper to the plexi like a sanding block? Glue the sandpaper to the plexi and run the Norton over the plexi?

Can someone please explain to me the best (inexpensive) way to lap a Norton? Details are certainly welcomed for this newbie!

Thanks,

Mark

Hi Milton,
Just use some electrical tape to hold the sandpaper down on the glass and rub until flat. To be sure you have it thoroughly flattened, draw a light figure eight on the surface of the Norton and then take a couple of passes on the sandpaper. If it's flat the 8 will disappear evenly. Then most guys will round off any pointed corners on the surface of the stone. Others may add some other points to this post, as I am not the Honemeister Deluxe. Good luck!

I use a spare piece of granite countertop and 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Wet both surfaces. Draw some pencil lines on the hone( I use several large big X's from corner to corner and edge to edge). I then use a short circular motion until all of the pencil lines dissappear. The hone will want to stick to the paper when its flat. On both the 4K and 8K sides it doesn't take much time ( a few minutes).

Originally Posted by Firebox

I use a spare piece of granite countertop and 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Wet both surfaces. Draw some pencil lines on the hone( I use several large big X's from corner to corner and edge to edge). I then use a short circular motion until all of the pencil lines dissappear. The hone will want to stick to the paper when its flat. On both the 4K and 8K sides it doesn't take much time ( a few minutes).

That exact process worked for me.

Use a piece of plate glass. Wet a sheet of 400 grit (wet or dry) sandpaper. Wet the glass which rests on several wet sheets of newspaper on a counter top. Lay the wet sheet of 400 grit (grit up) on the glass. Wet the hone well and use an 8 pattern on the 400 grit. Then switch to 600 grit and repeat on both sides. Hold each side on all four edges at about 70 degrees and drag each edge to finish off the edges.

Monte

I find 800 grit to be a good finish for my Norton, perhaps the best.

X

Thanks guys - this is great information, and I'll put it to practise as soon as the wife lets me get a norton!

Howard @ www.theperfectedge.com is your best source for a Norton.

Originally Posted by Firebox

Howard @ www.theperfectedge.com is your best source for a Norton.

or Coticle as well!

Just to reinforce what has been said: don't use Plexiglass, it's much too flexible. You want to use the stiffest, flatest, most waterproof surface you can to which to adhere the wet-or-dry abrasive paper. A small granite surface plate is the best; a piece of plate glass is good as it is ground flat and is stiff. When lapping a hone you want to get it as flat as possible. Thus your lapping tool must be flat, very flat. A figure 8 lapping pattern will balance the forces you apply to the stone you are lapping and help you to make your stone as flat as possible. However this is pretty much a moot point when your lapping medium is big and flat itself and you don't bear down on only one corner of the stone. If you change patterns of rubbing the stone on the lapping medium: straight, circles, figure 8's, and swap ends on the stone from time to time, you'll do just fine.

Bruce