Platen Width?

I

ICEMAN

Joined
Apr 6, 1999
Messages
62
I have a question about platens on 2X72 belt grinders for flat grinding. I’m going to make one from hardened and surface ground 5160. Would it be feasible to make it 1 3/4 inches wide so as to allow 1/8 inch belt overhang on each side to blend and radius the plunge cut at the ricasso? This would allow the blending and radiusing without having to adjust the tracking every time you flip the blade over to grind the opposite side. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on this idea?

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John
 
I just finished setting my grizzly up that way.Precision grinding the 5160 flat is a good idea as the piece i used wasn't and took a lot of file work to get it flat.
See Alen Blades video on flat grinding. The best 10$ ever spent.
 
My memory may be a little faulty here but I though Allen recommended a platen width of 1 15/16". I could be wrong though. Guess I have to watch the video again(fantastic video, btw). But if that is the case, then I would think that you would want the platen to be 1 7/8" to give a 1/16" curve on each side. wouldn't you?

Know-nothing knifemaker wannabe,



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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
I left mine at two inches and use the belt tracking adjustment to move the belt left or right. It is easy to control the belt "rollover" with this method and still give you the full platen when desired. I did take a tip from Bob Engnath some years ago and put a 1/32" radius on each forward edge. The radius works really well with the "J" weight belts and allows you to get into, and polish the plunge area.

Fox
 
Was wondering if ya'll had heard of epoxying a piece of fireplace tempered glass to the platen? If you do this, then it eliminates the chatter when trying to grind. Also, if you have a new Grizzly Grinder, the spongy stuff that is on the platen when it arrived needs to be taken off before the glass is attached. You will be amazed at the difference and how clean you grinds will become. As far as from what all I have read, you would only want to round one side of the platen and leave the other at a ninety degree angle, but if you're letting the belt overhand a smidge, then you've already accomplished what you're after. Hopes this helps.
 
Thanks for the info. I think I'll go with
1 7/8 with the platen.

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John
 
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