Contact Wheels and grinder build

[AVigil]

Working on getting the supplies needed for a “Grinder in the Box” build and as everybody knows there is a lot to consider. I am ordering the mutli platen and need some advice on contact wheel size. I will be doing flat grinds and have no plans to make any hollow ground knives.

My question is are there any disadvantages to using a 4” or 6” contact wheel if I am not doing any hollow grinding?


Thanks

Adam

 

[jawilder]

If you are not going to do a hallow grind, there is no reason to get the multi platen. I believe it is designed to be used with an 8" wheel. Any less than that and it might not fit right when you put your angle iron on (platen). Now, the 8" wheel could be used to help profile the blade. I use mine all the time for that, and to hollow out the tang.

I'd say get the 8" wheel if you get the multi platen or the flat platen if you don't want an 8" wheel.

 

[porterb123]

No for flat grinding. Some things to consider though. I did the GIB and have the multi platen and the flat platen. On the flat, I used 2 inch wheels. On the multi, I used a 2 and an 8 inch contact wheel. It also has a flat platen on it. The size of the contact wheels dictate somewhat where you drill and tap the holes for the platen. I used 4 by 2 inch angle for my platen.
The multi platen to me was designed to use a larger and smaller wheel to allow for hollow grinding. The smaller wheel can be used for inside curves. 2 inch is still too large for some areas of the handle to blade transition.
I have 3 tool arms set up.
Flat
Multi
Small wheel attachment.
Your building it though, make it how you want!
Porter

 

[AVigil]

Thanks for the input. I did some looking around and think I will give the Caffrey Platen design a try.
http://www.caffreyknives.net/KMGarticle.html

It looks like it might just be what I am looking for