GFlex for ceramic platen

D

Don Nguyen

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Oct 4, 2011
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I just got a ceramic glass platen from USAKnifemaker. I don't have JB Weld on me, but I do have some GFlex, which has a maximum temperature of 200* F.

Will this work, or do I have to go get some JB?
 
I used j b weld on mine. It has been on there for about a year and a half with no problems. I think the j b has a higher temp rating. U may just want to go grab some.
 
I used JB Weld on mine as well. I wouldn't trust a 200 degree rating when failure means shards of glass flying at you, especially in an application where a lot of heat and friction are involved. I've had Gflex fail due to grinding heat before. Just better safe than sorry.

They carry it at a lot of brick and mortar stores if you don't want to wait. I think I got mine at Menards. Just make sure you get the "industrial" version... felt like I had to search around the shelves a bit more for it.
 
I use double sided exterior mounting tape, and have been for nearly 10 years.
Do not trust whatever adhesive you use.
Weld a small "ledge" onto the bottom of your platen for the ceramic liner to sit on.
This way, no matter what you use, the ledge supports the liner - not the adhesive.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
I use double sided exterior mounting tape, and have been for nearly 10 years.
Do not trust whatever adhesive you use.
Weld a small "ledge" onto the bottom of your platen for the ceramic liner to sit on.
This way, no matter what you use, the ledge supports the liner - not the adhesive.
Click to expand...

I will have some pins welded for the platen to sit on.

I'll go get some JB weld too.

Thanks guys!
 
Don Nguyen said:
I will have some pins welded for the platen to sit on.

I'll go get some JB weld too.

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Don,
I give a second yes vote on using the double sided carpet tape. That way you can easily use both sides of the ceramic glass. I just clean up the used side with acetone.

Laurence
 
That's a pretty good idea about the double sided tape. Just a question does it sit as flat as if you did it with JB ? Just wondering if the tape gives it a cushion effect.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
I use double sided exterior mounting tape, and have been for nearly 10 years.
Do not trust whatever adhesive you use.
Weld a small "ledge" onto the bottom of your platen for the ceramic liner to sit on.
This way, no matter what you use, the ledge supports the liner - not the adhesive.
Click to expand...

Super Idea! Thank you.

Wouldn't it be easier to just dill the platen and insert pins?
 
I didn't say double sided carpet tape.
It's Exterior Mounting Tape.
And you had better make sure you put the platen liner on exactly where you want it, because once you place it on the tape, the only way it's coming off is in itty, bitty pieces.
Having used this on maybe four different liners in the last decade, I would never even use any glues or epoxies.

http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Exterior-Mounting-1-Inch-60-Inch/dp/B00004Z4BV

Rhinoknives1 said:
Don,
I give a second yes vote on using the double sided carpet tape. That way you can easily use both sides of the ceramic glass. I just clean up the used side with acetone.

Laurence
Click to expand...
 
The tape will take up any deviations in the platen surface, if there are any.
Sure - it sits "flat".
Not like you're going to bend or warp the ceramic anyway.



Marko3 said:
That's a pretty good idea about the double sided tape. Just a question does it sit as flat as if you did it with JB ? Just wondering if the tape gives it a cushion effect.
Click to expand...
 
I just put a ceramic(tile) platen on mine, ran a small bolt under it to set on and used high temp rtv to hold it, seems to be holding up to everything I throw at it
 
3M exterior mounting tape is pretty handy. Used it to mount speakers in my living room once- left behind nice little craters in the drywall when they had to come down.
 
Last edited:
Karl B. Andersen said:
I didn't say double sided carpet tape.
It's Exterior Mounting Tape.
And you had better make sure you put the platen liner on exactly where you want it, because once you place it on the tape, the only way it's coming off is in itty, bitty pieces.
Having used this on maybe four different liners in the last decade, I would never even use any glues or epoxies.

http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Exterior-Mounting-1-Inch-60-Inch/dp/B00004Z4BV
Click to expand...

Since that's only 1" wide, you just put two strips across the platen right?

I think I may get that instead of JB. Seems more useful in other applications...
 
I went with the carpet tape and it cracked on the first use and now it's pretty much webbed all over. I think I should have sanded my steel platen perfectly flat first because whereas the JB Weld will fill any I perfections the tape won't. I also have a ledge.
 
Interesting point about Gflex.
If it's only rated to 200 deg, we need to be really cautious about finish profile grinding, since it's really easy to heat the metal on a handle/wood assembly higher than 200.
I stopped using Devcon because it was so sensitive to heat.
 
I use a 2" wide, high quality, double sided carpet tape. Been doing so for my last couple of platens over a period of two years or so, and I've never had an issue. That said, I DO have a ledge secured under my platen, so there's no danger of it ever slipping down.

I've gotten my platen hot enough that I didn't want to hold my fingers on it, and it still held fine.

To remove, I simply heat the glass with a torch and pry off with a scraper. It should come off in one piece.

I make sure to clean both the glass AND my steel platen with Acetone, then I put a piece of double stick tape on each, and stick the two pieces of tape together. Works like a charm.
 
strider214 said:
Curious as to why you use a piece of tape on each side?
Click to expand...

It's probably not completely necessary, but for one, it lots me press the tape firmly into each piece before I remove the adhesive backing. I guess I figured that would give me maximum adhesion to each piece, as well as helping to account/compensate for any low spots or unevenness in the glass or platen.

I did draw file my platen to flatten it as much as I could, but I figure the tape would have enough "cushion" to make up for a couple of thousanths worth of discrepancy or unevenness.

Truth be told, it may not even make much difference, if any at all, but it seems to be working regardless.
 
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