Lapping a Norton India Stone

M

me2

Joined
Oct 11, 2003
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I have a Course/Fine India stone that I've had for about 5 years. I decided to lap the coarse side, since it was dished. I lapped it on 50 grit Gator Grit black ZrO sandpaper, with water, on a concrete block, for flatness. Now it feels like glass when sharpening. There are still a couple of place that didnt get lapped, and I can see they appear much coarser than the lapped surface. The fine side needs to be lapped to, as it has started to feel really smooth, and wont remove burrs the way it used to. Is there a way I can correct these conditions, or do I need to buy a new stone? If a new stone is needed, I'll probably get a 600 grit DMT to go with my waterstone. I'm after a toothy edge anyway.
 
You're learning why Silicon Carbide is the devil. The India side should lap fine, but you won't know until you try. Some online places offer coarse/fine India stones (all trustworthy AlOx, no satanic SiC) for less than a DMT Fine.
 
I thought both sides were India (AlO). I suppose that lapping the fine side on 400 grit wet/dry wouldnt hurt. I'm just surprised that the 50 grit paper seemed to polish the stone.
 
My bad. Are both sides oranges? If so, then, yes and I'm stymied. If not, then one side is the devil and the other shows signs of having a sadist creed.
 
I tried lappng one, but it just made my tongue sore.
Bill
 
A vitrified stone is made of abrasive particles bonded together with clay. The strength of the bond is matched to the intended use so the particles break off before the sharp edges wear off them. Grinding sandpaper is not the intended use and the bond is not a good match to that, so the stone glazed over. It now has a surface layer of particles that are worn round.

Take a piece of scrap steel, an old file or a putty knife or whatever's handy, and scrape the stone holding it perpendicular to the stone -- as if you were trying to dull a knife rather than sharpen it. That will scrape off that surface layer of worn particles and restore the stone's bite.
 
sodak said:
No matter how many times you gargle, you just can't take the taste of turpentine out of your mouth!!!!
Click to expand...

Ever since I switched from store-brand mouthwash to Glen Livet, that hasn't been a problem. So far as I know.
 
I've never had a problem flattening a silicon hone with sandpaper. ? I am talking about the black cheap ones.
 
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