Need help- last minute platen trouble?

H

Hulkie

Joined
Oct 22, 2012
Messages
30
Hi, I'm making a few knives for Xmas presents . The problem- on my 400 grit belt, a line formed on the center of the blade. Then I get squiggly lines. I tried different belts to no avail. I went to 220 grit- same problems. I turned my platen around- same problem. After multiple belt changes- same shirt.
Any ideas. Fellas , I'm in a last minute bind. Thanks- hulk
 
How long is the blade?

Is the line formed on the blade about 2" from your plunge line?
 
Yep, it's approx 2.5" from the plunge on a 7" blade 11.5 overall. Then there started to appear the squiglies around the center running towards the tip. Ty- h
 
It sounds like you got bit by "the 2" bug". This happens when you leave the knife on the belt in one place for too long or when you tilt the blade towards the tip rather than using the edge of the belt with the tip away from the belt.

You have a couple of solutions:
1. Grind the line out, only using 1/3 of the belt on the ege. Your tip should be up and away from the belt while grinding
2. Hand sand the lines out to make sure the blade is flat
3. My favorite: Put a scotchbrite belt under a 220 or 320 jflex belt and blend all the lines together. This does a great job and super fast. It also gives you a great scratch pattern at 400 grit.
 
jawilder said:
It sounds like you got bit by "the 2" bug". This happens when you leave the knife on the belt in one place for too long or when you tilt the blade towards the tip rather than using the edge of the belt with the tip away from the belt.

You have a couple of solutions:
1. Grind the line out, only using 1/3 of the belt on the ege. Your tip should be up and away from the belt while grinding
2. Hand sand the lines out to make sure the blade is flat
3. My favorite: Put a scotchbrite belt under a 220 or 320 jflex belt and blend all the lines together. This does a great job and super fast. It also gives you a great scratch pattern at 400 grit.
Click to expand...


#3 sounds interesting, do you happen to have any photos of what that looks like? Sounds like a cool way to get a nice even finish.
 
Hulk,

Do what JaWilder recommends.

You have the 2" disease and the cure is as described
 
jawilder said:
It sounds like you got bit by "the 2" bug". This happens when you leave the knife on the belt in one place for too long or when you tilt the blade towards the tip rather than using the edge of the belt with the tip away from the belt.

You have a couple of solutions:
1. Grind the line out, only using 1/3 of the belt on the ege. Your tip should be up and away from the belt while grinding
2. Hand sand the lines out to make sure the blade is flat
3. My favorite: Put a scotchbrite belt under a 220 or 320 jflex belt and blend all the lines together. This does a great job and super fast. It also gives you a great scratch pattern at 400 grit.
Click to expand...

Sounds great- thanks. I never heard of the 2" disease.
Using the scotch brite bad , I'm guessing I need to make sure I'm on its center - for an even distribution. I would love to see a photo before I try it on these knives.Ill just use a blank and see- THANK YOU
 
The 2" disease is a vertical line 2" from the plunge.

Squiggly lines that run horizontal, are because something is on the platen, some kind of build up, or crud...
 
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