Atoma 140 vs 400

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10-fingers
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Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by 10-fingers »

I need a stone-flattener as well as a coarse diamond stone for general metal repair and I've settled on the Atoma diamond plates. I'm just trying to choose between the 140g or 400g. I am also a hobby woodworker, so the plate would used for flattening chisel backs etc. as well.

Most woodworking authors/ catalogues that mention the Atoma prefer the 400g for stone flattening, but most kitchen knife folks recommend the Atoma 140g. I'm currently steering towards the 400g, reasoning: when I do use it for steel removal, I would prefer to have to work harder than remove deeper scratches. I'm guessing that, for stone flattening, I can't go wrong with either stone. I prefer keeping my tools minimal, so would rather not own both. (Although making a double-sided Atoma plate sounds intriguing, if not rougher on the hands.)

I'm curious: anyone here has purchased either of those two grits and regretted not purchasing the other instead?

Thanks, Tim
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ken123
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Re: Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by ken123 »

I'd go for the 140 over the 400. Aggressive at first but calms down fairly quickly.

Ken
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Re: Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by Santas_101 »

I agree with Ken, plus it will get the job done a lot faster.
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Re: Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by jknife »

I also started with the 140. I have since purchased the 4oo replacement sheet which I adhered to the back of the 140 plate. It takes up a lot less space, is easier to transport and saved me some money. It may just be me but I like to use the 400 on my higher grit stones.
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Re: Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by jacko9 »

I'm a 40 year woodworker and I much prefer the Atoma 140 as I don't ever use my Atoma's for sharpening only for stone flattening.
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Re: Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by Radar53 »

jknife wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:37 pm I also started with the 140. I have since purchased the 4oo replacement sheet which I adhered to the back of the 140 plate. It takes up a lot less space, is easier to transport and saved me some money. It may just be me but I like to use the 400 on my higher grit stones.
Ditto for me here and I haven't regretted it. For stones, I use the 140 for stones up to & including 1k & the 400 for stones above that.
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Re: Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by Infrared »

10-fingers
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Re: Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by 10-fingers »

Thanks for the input, I'm here to listen.

Anyone use their Atoma for edge repair/ thinning as well as stone flattening? Anyone find the 140 to be too aggressive or create too deep a scratch pattern when used on steel? Does using the Atoma for stone flattening relegate it to that use only, or could it still function as both for me?
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Re: Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by d_rap »

I use an Atoma 140 regularly for both repair and flattening, and unlike some I use it to flatten relatively high grit stones (6K).

When scratches or relative gentleness really matter a low grit stone may be better than a diamond plate, but that said I have found that with a little extra time I can get the atoma scratches out and end up with a very high polish or kasumi type finish if I want. One thing about the atoma 140 is it can give you a crazy burr very fast, so be careful and check almost with every stroke. But if you're working out a chip I mean you're going to go past the burr anyway.

One more thought, when I'm talking about getting the scratches out I'm assuming you're going to something like a 400 regular stone, then perhaps 1K. Results will vary depending on what your next stone is.

If you're looking for versatile the 140 is the way to go.
David
10-fingers
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Re: Atoma 140 vs 400

Post by 10-fingers »

For flattening/ low-grit sharpening and stone flattening I've been been getting by with sandpaper on granite, . My lowest grit waterstone has been a 1000g and then I jump up to 4000g. That's worked out ok for me for years, but the Atoma is the first step in upping my sharpening game. I'll likely heed all your advise and go with the 140, thanks
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