Flat Platen Question

G

godogs57

Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
782
Not the most exciting subject I know...I have a Wilton Square Wheel grinder and have had to have the flat platen re-ground three times to get perfectly flat. Seems that after awhile, the backside of the sanding belt erodes the steel right at the work rest, can't get a good flat surface...I guess you know what I mean.

Anyway, I got some pyroceram from Steve's cutlery (super nice guy by the way!) and glued it to the flat platen. Now I can't adjust the top and bottom rollers (1.5" and 3.0" respectively) out far enough to provide that smidgen of clearance between the belt and the platen. Just from looking, it seems I lack slightly more than an eighth of an inch of adjustment before the belt will be in the clear.

Am I flirting with disaster to flat grind this way? I don't think that the machine shop could grind off, say, 1/4" off the platen to make up the difference.

Suggestions???? Thanks in advance.

Hank Hammond
 
Leave it just like it is. Your platen should push the belt out a bit. If not, you can dish out your work.

Just slightly round the top, and botton corners of the pyroceram to make it easier on the belt, and grinder, moving it over the platen.
Use a 220 belt, followed by a 400-600 belt to do this. Don't leave it rough.
 
Yeah, I rounded the upper and lower edges of the pyroceram, as I did the flat platen itself originally, but it seems that the lack of clearance is "excessive" in my book. I don't know...just wanted some opinons and I do appreciate yours....thanks.

Perhaps I should take a pic, post it here, and show how much further out I need the wheels to go...any suggestions on how I can post a pic here?

Thanks
 
To post a pic, put the path to it between
Alternatively, if you're a member simply click on "Manage Attachments" in your post and load it on BF servers.

You definately want the face of the platen proud of the wheels, at least 1/16" and an eighth probably isn't too much unless you're using very stiff belts.
 
Long ago, I put 1/4" of washers between my platen, and bracket(Burr King), and really pushed it into the belt, and then later I put the pyroceram on it.:eek:

Believe me, you don't want any clearance between the belt, and platen. That belt should track tight across there. If not, your work will suffer.
 
Hank , You have to host a picture on another site and link the image. Or mail it to someone who can upload it.
 
I see..

Mark, using some of your handle material you sent me earlier on some daggers bound for Iraq!

Have a good Christmas.

Hank
 
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