36 and 48" radius platens

[John L]

I just received my platen from "Nathan the Machinist" and it appears to have been very well machined. It also has very sharp corners forgrinding my plunge lines. Has anyone received theirs and radiused the edges? How did it work out or did you leave them sharp? Thanks.

 

[butcher_block]

i slightly rounded the corners

the problem is once there rounded you cant get a crisp plunge but with them mostly sharp you can still track the belt over the side and soften the plunge

 

[lonepine]

Would having a REALLY sharp plunge line in essence make a stress riser that might (but not necessarily) contribute to breaking?

- LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Would having a REALLY sharp plunge line in essence make a stress riser that might (but not necessarily) contribute to breaking?

- LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin

Yes, that is correct. I don't think you want extremely sharp plunge lines. I always blend a radius into the transition.

I suggest dressing the edge of the radius platen the same way you would your regular flat platen. I leave mine relatively sharp and apply the fillet with my grinding technique, though I think many folks round the edge of their platen a bit.