Platen Challenge

S

SS369

Joined
Nov 29, 2015
Messages
224
Hi All.

I'm hoping that some crafty mind can give me some helpful ideas to imrpove a challenge I have with my grinder platen.
What the challenge is; is that when adjusting the platen angle relative to the work rest I am limited because the bolts that hold the platen to the platen frame contact the tool rest arm.

See the attached pictures.

Thanks for any ideas that I can use hopefully without a machine shop and being able to salvage what I own.
Any kind of specialty nut?

Scott
PTAgtUi.jpg

cywGa4v.jpg
 
The way I see it, you need to cut a groove in the tool rest arm so that the bolt will clear - that is if I am seeing things correctly. I know you want to avoid machining but this should work. I don't know of a special screw or bolt that could help you there. Maybe some sharper minds can advise you better :p.
Good luck.

Mike
 
I would have to downsize a fair length of that side of the tool arm to allow various adjustments. I think that's a last option type of fix. Thanks though.

Scott
 
How much more clearance do you need? It's hard to tell in the photo. The only thing I can think of would be to reverse the bolt that is causing the problem and use a thin washer and nut. Other than that I think you will have to do some cutting .
 
You might try using an "elevator bolt" instead of a standard hex bolt. These have wider and much thinner heads that MIGHT clear your tool arm without further mods. The next option will be to change your spacing and/or the position of the tool arm or platen. Without knowing what machine you have, or what your set up is like, it's hard to advise you how to do this. More pics of the overall machine would help.

The other option is removing material from the tool arm.
 
Would it be possible for you to make a bracket to mount the tool rest arm to the arm for the platen similar to what Travis Wuertz uses on the TW90? That would solve the clearance issue.
 
The washer basically is the dimension, it hits the arm barely.
I was wondering if a weld on tee nut could work. I'm unsure if the flange would be able to handle the loads and vibrations.
 
Yes, I could have a new style tool arm made, but I;m thinking there has to be a relatively easy fix that I personally can do with my limited tooling.
 
Forgive the crudeness of the drawing, but you can also make an auxiliary tool arm as depicted, in order to "get around" the bolts:



Shouldn't need more than a hacksaw and a drill press to modify a piece of square stock and some round bar. Just make sure everything is square, and drill slow.
 
Thanks Drew. That's another idea to consider.

I found some grade 5 elevator bolts at McMaster Carr. May drive there and pick up a couple and see if that'll work first.
 
Is there enough meat to chamfer the slot and change out the hex head for a flat head?
 
If the elevator bolt is the fix and the head is not too thick, then I think I can remove some metal on the side of the slot. My main concern with using the elevator bolts is if they are strong enough to tighten sufficiently.
 
ok let me ask a Dumb Question!!!
the bolt you show as hitting the arm
why not replace it with a Socket head allen drive screw??you could counterbore it with little more than a drillpress and bit,
does not really seem to be that big of a problem to me....
 
Well, the challenge is that I want to retain the ability to reset the platen to rollers adjustments.
 
SS369 said:
The washer basically is the dimension, it hits the arm barely.
I was wondering if a weld on tee nut could work. I'm unsure if the flange would be able to handle the loads and vibrations.
Click to expand...

The weld nuts are pretty weak. How about a T-Slot nut (T Nut)? https://www.mcmaster.com/tee-nuts/=f868a50c54cf4fc281846893ef352cc2k55gmlcy

You may have to grind it down a bit, maybe even step the slot on your platen frame, but it would work. And still retain adjustment ability.
 
Your best option is to clearance the Tool Arm...Remove the Bolt that is the issue and use a Scribe to mark the "ARC" on the Tool Arm that the bolt has interference with...Drill Shallow holes along the Arc that will be deep enough to clearance the bolt head...Now take a Dremel with a Burr and remove any remaining material so the Platen moves freely within the Arc.
 
Chamfer the edge of the slot, then use a bolt that has a tapered head like a wood screw.

Or use a carriage bolt that fits the slot, then file down the dome to fit the gap.
 
I did purchase some carriage bolts, and some tee nuts as well. I'll give one or the other a try in the upcoming days. Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top