Crowd Dev? New Platen design

Close? Some decisions to make on purchasing wheels, using wheels I have, making wheels, etc. Minor things. Some changes to the chiller to finalize that as well. Then sizing o-ring/seals for the halves.

Bang, now there's a rotary platen version to use with or without any backers. Need to check belt sizes and possibly modify some dimensions but there's no reason to use the same length belt as the Beaumont anyway.
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Having built a copy of the Beaumont already I find it to be almost useless without some kind of backing on all but the shortest, highest tension roller spacing.
 
In the interest of actually getting this made I'd be willing to dump the belt option for now. Call that V2. It needs to be very well thought out.

I would be willing to put up funds to see this happen. Anyone else willing? I'm sure the more that are made the cheaper it will get.
What parts can we make vs jobbing it out?
 
Since we're going for efficiency, why not a single lever locking mechanism?

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Geoff Flato said:
If this is going to be something like a Moen platten that doesn't cost $3000, you may be on to something.
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Right? Commercial knife making products are pretty crazy expensive. That's why I am trying the crowd development route. We all share in the design, the cost, and those who participate get it at cost.
This isn't a for profit endeavor, unless nobody participates and I have to make them or have them made all by myself.
Then I might sell them for a bit of compensation.

So we just have to figure out the parts list and specs, and then try to get them all made in one or two places so shipping doesn't get to be a nightmare.
Then we ship the parts to all who participate, at cost plus shipping.
 
The platen that came with my Reeder adjust similarly. And I also do run a 2" contact on top and 3" contact on the bottom
 
CWendling said:
The platen that came with my Reeder adjust similarly. And I also do run a 2" contact on top and 3" contact on the bottom
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It doesn't appear to have the clearance on both sides of the platen. It also has 4 bolts to change the platen out. :\
Looks like a pretty nice machine otherwise though.
 
I've been thinking of a radius platten anyways. If this ends up going somewhere, I'd go for a rotary platten with flat and radius backers.

Now another thought, do we go with a carbide platten as with the Moen, D2 as with Nathans, or some middle ground such as Rex121?

Another thing to consider would be how it attaches to the grinder. Ideally we'd want something that could be made to work on pretty well anything, not just KMG style grinders.
 
I'm not sure how many different platen mounting patterns there are but there can't be too many. And we only have to make the ones for those who are in this.
I've got a few of Nathan's platens. That's what I am looking to mount.
I have some ideas to make my own going forward, but will probably make the bolt patterns match what I have.

I doubt this initial project is going to include the rotary platen option.
 
Brock Cutlery said:
I'm not sure how many different platen mounting patterns there are but there can't be too many. And we only have to make the ones for those who are in this.
I've got a few of Nathan's platens. That's what I am looking to mount.
I have some ideas to make my own going forward, but will probably make the bolt patterns match what I have.

I doubt this initial project is going to include the rotary platen option.
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If you guys want to try I might know a source of CPM Rex 95, which is a HSS considered the closest thing to tungsten carbide. I can see if he is willing to share for a few pieces of the cocobolo burl I just got in
 
I epoxied two of Nathan's chillers together end to end to make a 2 x 12 platten. I glued tungsten carbide strips on with JB Weld to protect the chillers. I've only run it dry so far but the carbide faced platten works like a charm so far. I expect to get the water hooked up to the chillers this weekend.
Tim
 
I'm going to mock something up tomorrow to figure the size of frame that will work for my esteem grinder.
This isn't going to be that difficult I think. Just need to start working it up. :)

The one thing I'd like to see is a chiller that could stay with the platen frame when you switch out the platens.
The only way I can think to do that off the top is redesign it with the two rod holes in it. Then it would be backed up to the platen mount with the rods, not the platen, but that might still work.

Not the end of the world if it won't work, but it would be nice.
 
I'd probably hold out for the rotary platten version if I was to get one. The only real reason I'd want one is to make finishing flat grinds as easy as finish grinding with a contact wheel.
As for compatibility, I think as long as the overall dimensions would fit with the dust shroud of a square wheel or Bee you'd be fine. Making a tooling arm to fit the platten is easy enough for any grinder I can think of apart from possibly the Burr king/hardcore
 
Brock Cutlery said:
I'm going to mock something up tomorrow to figure the size of frame that will work for my esteem grinder.
This isn't going to be that difficult I think. Just need to start working it up. :)

The one thing I'd like to see is a chiller that could stay with the platen frame when you switch out the platens.
The only way I can think to do that off the top is redesign it with the two rod holes in it. Then it would be backed up to the platen mount with the rods, not the platen, but that might still work.

Not the end of the world if it won't work, but it would be nice.
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You start running out of room in the chiller between mounting holes, inlet/effluent holes, screw holes holding the chiller halves together, and the fluid path. I'm not saying there isn't a way but I'm not trying to hard to figure one out since I intend to move these platens from a regular to a rotary, and want the chiller to go with.
 
Hey John, can you post pics of your platen you made for your rotary? I'd like to see what you've done there.
I keep my belt tight, and don't use too much pressure on mine, so I've never felt the need. But I'd like to hear how it has improved your tool. It sounds interesting.
 
Hopefully this isn't too stupid of a question.
How big of an advantage is a chiller platten?
I was talking to my mentor about them the other day who loves them, but he's only used a chiller platten and a plain steel platten.
I've only used glass plattens and regular steel plattens, and I love using them.
Can anyone who's used both enlighten me?
 
Honestly, I have a platen chiller from Nathan, and while I mounted it, I've never hooked up the water.
I grind with a spray bottle, and I just spray my platen (back and sides) when I wet the belt probably every few minutes as I'm grinding.
I see steam, but it's not that hot.
I'm almost thinking some cooling fines in the back would suffice for me, but I'm not a hogger. Those thus inclined might see an advantage to a water cooled system.
 
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