Glass platen static

The floor mats help, but if your shoes and/or then dry cold air keep the charge from dissipating, it will still get you.
 
I do not own a grinder(yet) but wouldn't an ionizer pointed toward the platen take care of most of the charge?
A fan pushed air cleaner(ionizer) type from a resale shop is what I was thinking of.

Just brain storming...
 
That's funny- Stacy mentions warm moist air in the summer and cold, dry air in the winter- I live on the left coast and it's the exact opposite: everything is soaking wet all winter, then in the summer it's crackling dry :)
I do most of my belt grinding on a rest, so I just be sure to rest a finger on the steel parts of the rest, then there's no static buildup.
Hate those sparks, and I see it as a safety hazard, jumping when you're running machinery!
Those Klingon J'flex belts are the worst, by far...
 
Well, the ions would neutralize some of the surplus electrons. The ions would have to be negatively charged. The earth is the reservoir of all electrons, gaining or missing a few billion won't matter to it at all, so it isn't going to be affected by any ionizer smaller than the sun. The belt steals electrons from the blade and the blade steals them from you, which makes you become positively charged. You are what would need to be neutralized. I am not sure how well it would work in this situation...and pretty much would bet that an ionizer would not fair well in a grinding shop.

As said before, the static guard spray does the task nicely 95% of the time.
 
Last edited:
Well I'm so appreciative of all the info. First I'll try the spray as it seems the easiest then work down some of the other suggestions from there. Thanks guys!

My trizacts seem to be what was doing it to me the other night.

Jay
 
If you place a hand on the grinder, yes, that will discharge the electrons back into your body.
With a knife in your hands and the belt running, the belt steals electrons from the blade, which takes them from you. The moving belt on glass platen act as a barrier that prevents them from flowing back easily. The was nature takes care of this inequality is to send a spark of electrons from the grinder to you.

BTW, the type of shoes you are wearing will make a big difference, too. Leather soles are more forgiving.
 
You can also buy esd shoes. I've got a pair that also have a ceramic toe box to help prevent smashed toes. They work pretty good, as long as you keep them fairly clean.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top