'Multi-platen,' chiller, etc questions...

Overmountain

Overmountain

Joined
May 2, 2013
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Old grinder gone, new one in the works.
Now I have a platen question. I have seen the 'Caffrey Platen' with large and small contact wheels on the flat platen attachment. I have also see a 'multi-platen' that is shaped like a comma, not a set radius, but starting flat on one end and tightening toward the other end.
Would a combination of those things work? Small and larger contact wheels on either end of a tigtening platen. I'm thinking about 2" of flat and only tightening up the radius to a 14-16" wheel. I know it will likely need a chiller or ride air like some of Nathan's designs I have seen and like... Does any such thing exist or would there be too much heat involved?
Thanks.
 
IMHO, a variable curvature platen like you describe would not be a good thing. You need a dead flat surface from end to end, and wheels of certain sizes for hollow and inside curves.
 
I wasn't thinking of an "all-inclusive end all be all" sort of thing really, just maybe a tool arm that would be good for quick clean-up more than anything. I like a long flat platen that terminates right at the wheels for 95% of stuff... And yes, contact wheels of various sizes for most round work. But, looking at the 'caffrey platen' and the multi-platen looked like something that could be quick. My concern is heat and belt wear obviously. I mean, I understand why the curved platen works, and why the Caffrey Platen works, just wondering if they could be combined.

Sorry if that is worded poorly...
 
Here is a picture of the profile of a 'multi-platen'

platens.jpg


So imagine that with a large wheel on one end and small wheel on the other, and a hard platen that follows the front curve of that profile. The 'Caffrey Platen' is the same, small and big wheel, but with just a flat platen between the two.

I may have to fab this up out of wood to show exactly what I mean...
 
Planning, while necessary, will only get you so far and
Like most things that you build in your mind, no telling what you'll like/dislike, need to change, until you actually build it.
 
As I said, using a curved platen for anything but specific radius hollow grinding is not a good idea. I have several curved platens, and they are only of use for making hollow backs on Japanese blades.

For a "Quick Clean Up", I used either a flat platen, or a large contact wheel.
 
bladsmth said:
As I said, using a curved platen for anything but specific radius hollow grinding is not a good idea. I have several curved platens, and they are only of use for making hollow backs on Japanese blades.

For a "Quick Clean Up", I used either a flat platen, or a large contact wheel.
Click to expand...

That's kinda where my rational thinking was heading when I asked the requisite "if its a good idea why isn't it out there/common" question. Sometimes there just isn't a better mousetrap I guess...
 
In the side or the platen itself?

For the support, waterjet.

For the platen, either machine it and smooth it; cut vertical cross sections and form it... etc.

Again, starting to see its a poor solution to a mostly non-existent problem.
 
I think if you have the machines to do it, I would try. It might work out quite we'll as a specialty platen. I say go for it snd keep us posted. Making stuff to help you make more stuff is half the fun.
 
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