Grinding Flats on a 4x36(to back or NOT)?

[Nathan House]

I recently got a 4x36 grinder I am only going to use it for bark removal and to grind flats,My question is I have been seeing
people back the platen with glass and other material,is it a good pratice to do
I would like some input on this subjest.
pro an cons
Thanks Nathan

 

[NickWheeler]

Nathan, yes, it's a very good idea. Especially for the process of removing the crusty bark. The flatter you can start off with your steel the better off you are. If you try to remove the bark with a rough platen, you will only be making things harder on yourself in the long run.

I am fortunate enough to have a friend with access to equipment that could surface and radius a piece of D2 for both my 6X48 and my Burr King platens. But I have heard a lot of great things about glass, and considering I paid like $130 for the two pieces of D2, plus heat-treat, and working out a deal to have them machined....I think glass would be a hell of a lot cheaper for you....and it's FLAT, which is what matters.

Nick