New platen attachment for the KMG

rfrink

rfrink

Joined
Aug 1, 2000
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Mike Vagnino is mostly responsible for this new change to the KMG. He was kind enough to share his thoughts with me at the Blade show and together we conceived this new design:

kmg-pl5.jpg



The main objective was to eliminate clearance issues when grinding from the left side. The new design now is completely open on the left. This was done using something similiar to the slack belt attachment and mounting the platen out on the ends just next to the rollers:

kmg-pla0.jpg



An added benifit is that it now quickly changes over to a slack belt attachment by loosening the brackets and sliding the platen off:

kmg-pl6.jpg



The platen plate is symetrical so that when the front wears out...it can be flipped around to use the back side if needed.

Over the summer I made a handful of prototypes and distributed them to different makers for feedback. The makers varied in the type of knives that they made as well as their experience level. With 100% positive feedback, I now ship every KMG with this new "dual" attachment.

The concept and construction is very simple such that it might be a consideration for those building grinders.

Sincerely,
Rob
 
Rob will this replace the original platen on new shipments? If so I assume one will still need the slack belt attachment if they want to use the 2" and 4" etc.. contact wheels for handle work, right?
 
Two minutes ago I sent you an email and mentioned you were due for a new tool roll out and then I come on here and see this. Another fine enhancement for an already great grinder.
 
I have one of these new platens and it is all good. The one and ONLY problem I had with my entire KMG rig was lack of clearance/visibility on the left side of the platen. Rob has fixed that, and then some.

And just so those of you who are (jokingly, I hope) grumbling about the obsolecence of your old setups know, Rob worried/thought alot about people's reactions. He is a very ethical and honest person. But I told him to go for it. What were his options? To hold back new developments and improvements? No way. The reason we all love the KMG-1 is precisely because Rob listens to makers, Mike Vagnino in this case, and improves his product.

The one promise I got from Rob before purchasing the KMG-1 was that no matter what improvements he implemented, they would all fit the original chassis. Fair enough. As long as that promise holds, I for one hope Rob keeps improving his products.

John Frankl, the guy with the old obsolete small wheel set-up ;)
 
I think I was one of the lucky ones...got exactly what I was looking for - ability to flat grind and slack belt grind in one attachment.

Thanks Rob.
 
Rob,

Don't worry about innovating and leaving current users 'behind'.

I don't feel that way. I've had mine for 10+ months now. Sure the new platen is really cool and I'd like one. But I CERTAINLY don't want to begrudge new KMG users from getting better stuff.

I paid for mine and got more that I bargained for. I'm happy with my KMG - always have been. What happens in the furture doesn't change the past.

Innovate away!

Steve

PS I'm still trying to justify a rotary platen!
 
Looks great Rob! Flat and slack are just what I like. I've got my sites set on a KMG in the near future.
 
So, how does one go about ruining the old platen so we just "have to have a new platen, dear!!"?? ;) Built like a freaking tank, it's a sorta tough piece to find a way it can "have an accident". :D

You just keep improving the design, Rob! What it shows more than anything is that there is no complacency in your work ethic, that your grinder is not just an assembly line piece to you, and that you care about it. We look forward to the future of the KMG-1.....

How about a "large radius" platen that can do hollow grinds along lines of the old French and Sheffield grinders, with 5' and 6' radii? And then, figure out a way to get the pyroceram molded to that radius?? hint, hint....
 
I am just getting my KMG set up with a Lesson Dc Variable speed controlled motor tomorrow.

I know have a Baldor 1hp motor without any thing to run it on.

Looks like I need to save up some more cash and get the new platen. Oh hell maybe I need to just buy another KMG with the new Platen and put the Baldor back to work.:p



Jim
 
Rob will the new platen work on a BIII? And does it have sufficient clearance to add pyroceram? Looks great! And I sure like the ability to adjust its angle.

I like Fitzo's idea for the 5' and 6' diameter platens too. In fact if you think you might develop this any time soon, I'll just wait for my new flat platen...

Steve, why wait for the rotary platen? Just Do It. :D It's one of those things, you'll be glad you did.

Dave
 
Wow! Thanks to all, for the kind words !


Fitzo, It would be easy enough to make a platen plate with a 5' radius...or whatever size you need. I would stnad a thick plate on its side and mill the contour with a simple CNC tool path. Would need to use some stress relieved material since C-rolled steel will "spring" when I mill away one side.


Dave,
Not sure about the pyroceam....maybe John Frankl knows. If not, it would be a simple fix and a change that I'll make on the next set-up.

Yes you will be able to use the new KMG platen attachment on the Bader. Same as the previous version....but with the newer design. I have all of the components in stock:
bdr-pla2.jpg


more details here on my web site for the Bader.

Thanks again,
Rob
 
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