Harris Lapping System
Lloyd Robins
>Has anyone used or heard much about the Harris Lapping and Sharpening System ? It looks very interesting and wouldn't need to be flattened like waterstones. Thanks for your help.
Harris Lapping System
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Re: Harris Lapping System
#2
Re: Harris Lapping System *LINK*
David Barnett
>The Harris system is excellent (and fast) for flattening blade backs and honing. The Meehanite plates are incredibly flat and stable and the aluminum tray supports them perfectly. I would buy the kit with two double-sided plates rather than the 'Basic' kit with only one plate.
It may seem pricey, but considering it may outlive you, or even three of you, it amortizes respectably. In fact, if you can afford it, an extra smooth plate and another aluminum holder would kick it up a notch and would only add $125 to the bill. What the hell... another grooved plate for another $100 and you can use both sides with coarse, loose diamond (around $10-$13 for 5 carats, $80 for 100 carats), and you're still under $500 bucks for an awesome system you'll never wear out. The two-plate system alone is likely to satisfy you completely, though. The other stuff is just gravy.
Try to get the dealer to send you the little manual that explains it all if you're on the edge about whether or not it's for you.
Otherwise, the best place to read up on it (and probably to order refills of silicon carbide - you can get decent diamond from several good dealers) may be:
Harris Lapping & Sharpening System
Re: Harris Lapping System
#3$500.00? not if you act fast... *LINK*
Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
>Take a look...
woodworker.com
Re: Harris Lapping System
#4
That's a steal!
David Barnett
>Whoa! That just screams "buy TWO"! That's a seriously great price. Garrett Wade used to carry these and put them on sale from time to time but I don't think I've ever seen them for a hundred and fifty-five bucks. Dang, if I only needed another one, heh.
Re: Harris Lapping System
#5Re: Harris Lapping System
Steve Knight
>what makes you think it won't wear? lapping plates wear and will need to be flattened.
Re: Harris Lapping System
#6
You may be right, Steve
David Barnett
>Outside of repeated misuse or gross negligence, the very thing that lapping is; a harder, blocky and/or sharp grit embedding itself in a substrate softer and 'gummier' than the article being worn away, i.e. 'lapped' (and discounting the incorrect use of the term for generally non or sporadically embedded loose grit on a relatively hard and unaccepting substrate), proper charging will protect the lap substrate (plate) indefinitely.
The only anomaly I've heard was from a grad. student (now a professor) working in solid state materials metrology. He claims that optical testing of the smooth Harris plate gave a t.i.r. of 0.000171", or under two 'tenths', when new (about 15 years ago, btw), and after heavy use (the system is still used in this lab by dozens of students each year), he claims it now indicates to 0.000085". He contends that wear is likely to obtain in the direction of greater flatness. As a woodworker, I think I can live with that, heh.
"We report. You decide" - FOXnews
Re: Harris Lapping System
#7Re: You may be right, Steve
Steve Knight
>that does not sound bad. as long as the plate is used evenly.
Re: Harris Lapping System
#8Re: Harris Lapping System
Lloyd Robins
>Thanks for your replies and links! The closeout deal does look too good to pass up.