Installing a Ceramic Glass (PyroCeram) Platen...

Drew Riley

Drew Riley

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
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Here are a couple of YouTube vids I made going over ceramic glass platens and how to install them.

I also go over some basic information as well as safety considerations and what not.

Enjoy, Rate, Comment, Subscribe! There will be plenty more knife making related vids on my channel in the future.

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!!!!DISCLAIMER!!!!
This is just the way that I personally have installed a ceramic glass platen backer on my personal grinder, based on the recommendations of several knifemakers who have much more experience than I do. This is by no means the "ONLY" way to do this, or even the best way. There are always going to be inherent, and even unavoidable risks when installing and using a ceramic glass platen. I take no responsibility for any injuries, destruction of property, or otherwise that may occur from duplicatoin of the intallation discussed/shown in this video.
Proceed at your own risk!

Also note that double sided tape of any kind will inherently be weaker than any type of epoxy, or several other adhesive options. This was intentional for my application, but it is recommended that a stronger adhesive be used if you wish to decrease the chances that the glass become loose through use.
 
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Are you not worried about the heat build up loosening the glue on the tape? I ordered my platen last week for my grinder build and ma just curious about that. I had intended to mount mine the same way a Tracey suggests on his site.
 
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I've used the 3M exterior mounting tape for years on my platens.
I've had the misfortune to accidentally break a platen or two and cuss and mumble each time, because to remove the old platen is quite a task!
The key component is the ledge - not the adhesive.
 
I used JB Weld on mine. Has been on for two years no problems.
 
Can someone tell me how to use pyroceram and not shock the dickens out of you while in use? I ended up having to take it off my platen on two occasions because the static would build up so much it would about knock me to the floor every time it zapped me. I have been struck by lightning in the past and can't even take a little static electricity now. I have used a small metal chain around my waist connected to the grinder and that has helped some. But even with the chain belt I can feel some serious tingling around my waist and even the tips of my toes as it discharges into the concrete floor.

Would love to use pyroceram again if I could get away from the zapping.
 
Get some antistatic spray from the store,in the fabric cleaner section,start grinder and spray back of the belt.
Stan
 
I have a ground strap that works well in the colder weather. It is a piece of ball chain with a 1 meg resistor in it. It has a clip on one end, and a fishing weight on the other. I clip one end to the grinder and drop the weight in my pocket.
 
unky_gumbi said:
Are you not worried about the heat build up loosening the glue on the tape? I ordered my platen last week for my grinder build and ma just curious about that. I had intended to mount mine the same way a Tracey suggests on his site.
Click to expand...

It's a mild concern, and I definitely recommend for anyone else to use a much stronger adhesive if it makes you that much more comfortable. That being said, I've heard of as many (or more) failures using epoxy as I have with tape.

I do plan to check the "hold" of the tape everytime I use the platen, and so far it has shown no indication of loosening, after some relatively heavy grinding across the face of the whole platen, using belts of varying grit and weight.

That being said, the main holding power comes as much from the "ledge" as it does the tape or epoxy.
 
Has anyone ever tried using an anti-static mat? The ones that you stand on and get grounded to the machine?
 
I used one. It worked,OK, but my shoes would insulate me from the mat. If I wore different shoes, it was fine. The ground strap was clipped to the mat, BTW. Since I started the direct ground system,the mat is now mainly just a foot pad, but it does insulate me from the cold floor.
 
Put a ledge on whatever adhesive you use.

I tried the JB weld and it showed signs of letting go the first time I heated it up with a belt. I know others like it and use it but I don't.
At least it did not take much from a mapp torch to get the glass off and start over.

I went to high temp red rtv silicone gasket sealer. Almost fool-proof assembly, easy to clean up after it dries, you do not need to scratch the glass for adhesion, and it works flawlessly. Looks cool, too.

IMG_5645.jpg
 
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