140 grit to flatten 1k and 3k - too much?

[agp]

Is 140 grit too rough to use to flatten 1k and 3k stones?

 

[panda]

No

 

[Ruso]

Jon mentioned some time ago that rougher finish (deeper scratches) means faster action but less polish. Hence you decide what you need.
Otherwise I am with the vulnerable species.

 

[HRC_64]

The Main reason to get a 140 plate is to be "one and done"
and also able to flatten 300 and 200 stones that need alot of flattening.

If you go for a 140 plate, there are options to soften the grit/finish,
like using a small 1200 or 600 diamond or other nagura, etc.

The Atoma 400 plate should flatten reliably down to about 30 microns range,
like Shapton 500 or Chosera 400.

 

[Benuser]

The Atoma 140 comes a bit aggressive OOTB. Use it first for neglected stones of any grit. Very soon it gets smoother. I use it with all stones, up to 8k. With the finest ones it indeed leaves a rough surface. No problem at all. If you don't like the feeling though you may rub the stone with the next coarser one and you will be fine.

 

[agp]

The stones I use the 140 on all have these very visible and distinct scratch marks on them. That's what led me to question if 140 is too rough for 1k and 3k stones. I want the 3k to be flat without being groovy.

 

[Grunt173]

The stones I use the 140 on all have these very visible and distinct scratch marks on them. That's what led me to question if 140 is too rough for 1k and 3k stones. I want the 3k to be flat without being groovy.

I use the 140 also on all my stones up to my 8k's. What I do after flattening is take my mini diamond plate of 600 grit and rub the stone in small circles , like building up a slurry, to smooth out the heavier scratches left by the 140.

 

[Benuser]

Use little pressure and lots of water. The grooves will be only superficial.

 

[HRC_64]

The stones I use the 140 on all have these very visible and distinct scratch marks on them. That's what led me to question if 140 is too rough for 1k and 3k stones. I want the 3k to be flat without being groovy.

I feel that with jnats you hear more about
people getting into performance variations
with 140 or 400 or 1200 etc stone surfaces (slurry),
but not sure if it matters as much on syth stones.

small naguras are modest cost if you go that route.

 

[Dave Martell]

Using a coarse plate to flatten (even fine) stones is no big deal, just helps you get them flat faster is all.


Tips:

1. If you want your coarse stones to work fast leave the rough scratch marks in them from your coarse grit plate. The sharp scratch marks (of a coarse grit stone) cut faster than a smooth surface will. Try refreshing the rough surface when the stone slows down.

2. If you want your fine stones to work fast then remove the rough scratch marks that come from the coarse plate. Smoothing the surface (of fine stones) allows for a greater stone surface area to contact the steel. Some fine stones flat out suck until made to be smooth.

 

[Benuser]

Thanks, Dave!

 

[Cmfuen]

In a timely coincidence with Dave’s above, I received my Shapton diamond lapping plate yesterday. Using it on my 4K and 6k made a noticeable difference from my previous lapping with the 140 Atoma.
Would a smooth surface improve harder stones more than softer ones?

 

[HRC_64]

In a timely coincidence with Dave’s above, I received my Shapton diamond lapping plate yesterday. Using it on my 4K and 6k made a noticeable difference from my previous lapping with the 140 Atoma.
Would a smooth surface improve harder stones more than softer ones?

Shapton plate is approx. Atoma 400 (micron size) equivalent

 

[Foltest]

once the 140 breaks in its absolutelly no problem

 

[Benuser]

Exactly. When brand new, use it first with medium-coarse or strongly neglected stones.

 

[adam92]

i flatten my stone with similar gtir 1000/2000
or 6000/8000
1000/4000
on properly after 3 or 4 time sharpen session , i found out better than using rough stone to flatten the stone & get less scratch , now my stone always stay completely flat by this way...

 

[catalystman80]

I used to solely use my Atoma 400 for flattening anything above 600 grit, but now I also use the 140 and 1200. Can't beat 140 in speed of removal, but I do find that I like to finish at least with the 400 to smooth out some deep scratches you can get. Even the 400 can leave some deeper scratches (especially when it's new), so I finish with the 1200 for anything above 1000, and all my naturals (with exception of Arks) get finished with the 1200. Of course it helps not to use unnecessary pressure during the flattening.

 

[CutFingers]

The Atoma 140 is fine...just little pressure...if primarily a flattening stone...

Little tip for ya...when you wet the stone and load up the atoma with mud...after you are done, take an ordinary brown paper grocery bag...the thicker ones not the beer bags

slop that mud on top of the paper, let it dry and you've got a strop of nice stone dust. Cheap...and great