Noob flat grinding question

Barker

Barker

Joined
Dec 24, 2005
Messages
1,159
I am just about to buy a belt grinder and I want to know if I can flat grind on it as well. The Bader I am going to buy has an 8" wheel and a flat area as well. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. Can one flat grind using this flat area? I've heard people say to use a 14" wheel to flat grind. I also read an old thread that talks about using a disc grinder/sander. Can someone whose done some flat grinding shed some light on this for me? Thanks a lot.
 
Are you buying a new BIII? I do no hollow grinding anymore - only flat grinding on my Bader III. I have had mine for about 10 years or so. IIRC, at the time of purchase, you could order an 8" or 10" wheel with the unit. The flat platen attachment and platen were both supplied as an extra purchase, as were the small wheel attachments and tool bar. If you want to flat grind then make sure you get the flat platen attachment.

Having said that, the flat platen is made of 3/8" x 2" angle iron. It is adequate, but will wear quickly from belt friction. This has never been a problem for me since I can surface grind my platens and keep them in perfect condition. Many makers use pyrocerm (glass) bonded to their steel platen since it wears far better than the steel. Some makers install a piece of hardened steel such as O1 on the platen surface, which will do the same thing as the glass. The Bader is a fine machine for flat grinding, especially when you have 2 h.p. :D
 
Fox,
The BIII is what I am looking to purchase. The platens are extra IIRC. I just want to be sure I could flat grind with it. The guy who is helping me get into knife making only hollow grinds and didn't really know if I could flat grind with the BIII. Thanks a lot. I appreciate you help and time.
 
Yes, the flat platen is for flat grinding. A 14" wheel will not flat grind. It just make a 14" hollow grind. The truth be known, almost all knives were hollow ground back in the day, and no they weren't all done on 10' wheels, etc.

I've seen pictures of cutlers grinding blades in England that were sitting in front of a row of much smaller wheels. They ranged in size from 6-10" aprox., to about 24", and everything in between. You could see most of the blades they were doing and they were large fixed blades, to forestall the pocket knife argument.

If you want to make your job a little easier and have better grinds, get ahold of Darren Ellis and get a piece of pyroceram to epoxy on your platen.

Slightly radius the front and back edges with 220, then 400 grit(before installation) to ease the belt on and off. Make sure the platen is truly flat before install too.
http://forgegallery.elliscustomknifeworks.com/
 
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