Glass Platens Are Wonderful.

CarpScot

CarpScot

Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
3,223
At the advice of CountryBoy I went and ordered myself a glass platen. I had really been struggling before and was pretty much only ever using the edge of my steel platen. I couldn't get a truly flat grind and I had to use a scotchbrite belt to even out the finish. With the glass platen I can get a even grind and the blending belt can stay on its hook. :D I wish that I had been using a glass platen from the start. If I had I could have saved myself a lot of time and money.

John also convinced me to pick up a few Trizact Gator belts to try out and so far I like them a lot more than the Norton Norax belts that I had been using. The Gators are stiffer and they seem to last quite a bit longer too.

The one downside that I've experienced with this setup is that I started getting some pretty nasty shocks from static buildup. :( I'm going to pick up some of that spray meant to keep static electricity from building up on clothes and see if that helps remedy the situation.
 
It makes it easier to do plunges compared to the bent sheet steel platen that came with my grinder.

Gators are slick belts. The J-flex ones I found are nice, but I was surprised how fast 3M says they should be run.
 
anybody try making one? can you just cut a sheet of borosilicate or is there some special kind of glass to use?
 
I'm trying to build one using a tempered piece of glass 1,5cm thik. but I still have to finish my grinder so I can't tell you how good it works.
 
After breaking 2 of these I replaced both of mine with pieces of hardened D2. One I rounded the outside corners on for that style plunges.

Be careful if you loosen your tool rest and then remove your attachment. Tool rest slides intp glass and OO
 
Shane, glad to hear your having good results. It does make things much easier. I made two new glass platens and kept my original untouched. I made a full length platen and a half length that gives me 3 1/2" of glass surface and a bit of slack belt area right above it. That comes in pretty handy at times too.

Oh, I forgot to tell you about the shock. :D

Funny thing is, I used mine for several months and never noticed it. Only in the last month or so have I been getting 'popped' pretty good if I get my hand to close.

I've read about guys grounding their machines or knives but I can't remember the details. Maybe someone will chime in.
 
I have a glass platen for a year. The only drawback is - it cracked all over. I glued it with the JB Weld as it was advised and it holds the cracked platen. But every time I grind I have a bad feeling in my stomach. Need new one.
As for the gring quality - the glass platen is perfect.
 
Couple of shot of static guard spray (few bucks at the grocery store) on the inside of the belts should take care of that
 
Anybody know where/if I can put a glass platen on my Delta 1x42" or if it is even worth it? I hate the flimsy steel platen that it comes with but beggars can't be choosers...
 
I have gone through two of them...I can't take the static shocks (I have been struck by lightning and can't take even a little pop any more). It was just too much to deal with.
 
I had a glass platen on that was standard on an old 6 x 54 Porter Cable from the '30s.
The glass was gone when I got the machine, so we replaced it.
It couldn't handle the heat and cracked really quick, So I haven't replaced it.
You probably need borosilicate glass (like Pyrex) for this application.
 
GrizzlyBear said:
Are these glass platens just adhered to the platen that comes with the machine?
Click to expand...

Most are. JB weld seems to be the epoxy of choice.

My platen bolted on from the back so I just made two new ones with glass attached and preserved the original should I ever want to use just the steel again.

I know you can remove the glass and clean the platen but it was just as easy to make new ones.
 
From what I remember of my electrical lectures, standing on a rubber mat should allieviate some of the shocks. If not, try attaching a wire from the back of the platen to the main body of the grinder and see if that works. Do you wear gloves when you grind? I dont have that problem but its not that dry in my shop either, the more dry air, the more chance of static build up, especially in the winter.
 
Other than price what would be the difference between say glass, and say carbide??? Would glass still have less friction?

I was getting shocked from my little grinder until I hooked the ground wire to the frame of the thing.
 
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GrizzlyBear said:
Are these glass platens just adhered to the platen that comes with the machine?
Click to expand...

I bought a 2"x8" piece of ceramic fireplace glass from USA Knifemaker Supply. I attached it to the my steel platen of my KMG with JB Weld as per the tutorial on that site.
 
tattooedfreak said:
From what I remember of my electrical lectures, standing on a rubber mat should allieviate some of the shocks. If not, try attaching a wire from the back of the platen to the main body of the grinder and see if that works. Do you wear gloves when you grind? I dont have that problem but its not that dry in my shop either, the more dry air, the more chance of static build up, especially in the winter.
Click to expand...

I'm standing on a anti fatigue mat but it doesn't seem to make a difference in how often I get shocked. I wear mechanics gloves about half of the time. The anti-static spray works but I have to reapply it about every twenty minutes or so. I'm going to try a grounding strap as a more permanent solution.
 
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