Dmt qc

F

FlyingKiwi

Joined
May 9, 2010
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154
Just got my 6 8x3' DMT set in today! Yeah!
Something I haven't herd of before - the EEF stone was 'factory broken in' and looked very coarsely stonewashed. Inside it's box was a not explaining this.
The problem is with the XXC stone. Towards one end there is a small chunk of what I guess is nickel raised 0.5mm high. This catches the knife or tool and is really bugging me. Will it wear down? I really don't wan't to get into a warranty issue because I am in New Zealand. There is actually a smaller lump on the side and the flat of a chisel caught on it.

Out of box there was rust on the side of the fine stone, and now there is more on the EEF stone. Is the nickel plating usually this patchy?

I used firm pressure with the chisel sharpening and now they have lost the very coarse feel. It seems pretty quick - Knifenut says that his haven't broken in even after a couple on years and lots of powder steels.

I was able to get a knife hair popping after the EEF stone. Is it just light pressure that is the key? Light pressure, consistent angle and lots of time on the finer stones?

Thanks.
 
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Yes, very light pressure.

Too much pressure will damage the plates, cause you to create uneven bevels, and cause excessively deep scratches. The coarse stones will break-in quickly while the fine stones will take some time but its not going to take years, maybe months.

The rust is common, they are steel plates with a rougher surface finish (stonewashed). I still get rust spots on mine from time to time. barkeepersfriend is your best friend ;)

Pre broke-in? must be something new. The reason the EEF and even the EF will look that way is because the layer is so thin and the diamonds so small you are actually seeing the underlying plate surface.

When first used the plates will feel very coarse and gritty, the bevel finish will also be dull and lacking refinement. With use the plates will take on a smoother feel and produce a bright shine in the scratch pattern that has prizim like effects from reflecting light.

Chisel sharpening is not something I would want to do on diamond plates, it will work but waterstones or sandpaper over glass would be much easier and likely more effective.
 
But DMT markets the plates to wook workers. What's wrong with chisel sharpening? do you thing it might gouge out the diamonds?
 
No, not any problems like that but I personally find it difficult to sharpen large bevel surfaces on the plates. Mainly mora's in my experience so chisels might be different.

Use a little soapy water with the fine stones, remember to use light pressure and things should go much better.

The XXC could just need some break-in, is the spot pic worthy?
 
It's hard to see, so a pic wont pick it up. Its like a pinhead sitting above the diamonds. It doesn't make a scratch on the steel so I'm thinking it's nickel. It's just how you would imagine a pinhead. being nickel do you thing it will wear down? On my EX there are also bumps where the sharpening sound changes a but, but I cant feel anything with my fingers. I was really expecting higher quality. But they all work fine so I can't complain too much.
 
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