Question about a new platen

Nate Webb

Nate Webb

Gold Member
Joined
May 30, 2023
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58
Hey all. I've been using the same grinder for about seven years now. It's an old SLING grinder by Polar Bear Forge. It's definitely not perfect, but I've gotten very used to its quirks over the years. I've always had ceramic platen liners for it, and until now never had an issue. Well, this last liner only lasted a couple of months before it self destructed on me (cracked badly mid-grind, throwing glass shards everywhere). I very much don't want to deal with that sort of thing again, so I'm going to install a new platen that won't need the liner. I was looking at Origin's A2 platen replacement, which looks pretty decent for the money. Any other suggestions?

For those who aren't aware, in the SLING grinder the platen is attached to the grinder's upright plate via 2, 1/4-20 bolts so it's not a more standard tool arm setup. it can take any flat platen so long as it's threaded for the correct bolts in the correct spacing.

I appreciate the help.
 
"I felt lied to" told we are all supposed to be running high end rated, glass platens which are Supposed to last a very long time....

Mine only lasted like yours, a brief time.

There is a guy Here in BF making/selling tungsten platens. Yes, they are expensive.
Mine is literally mirror finished.

I grind Very Hard, high alloy, high carbide steels.
Mine is over a year I think, and still looks Brand New.

*I don't think I would continue making knives without it
 
A carbide platen is the way to go if you can afford it. Contact the sellers with your exact bolt pattern and see if they can do it in TC. As pointed out, they ain't cheap.

D2 and A2 platens are the next step down. You can buy them or make your own. Use thick stock if you have the room with your platen setup. 1/4" is the minimum, but 1/2 or 3/4 will work better. A platen chiller is also a nice addition if you do long grinding sessions. If you have a HT oven, or access to one, making your own is the obvious choice over buying one. If you can have someone with a surface grinder true the surface after hardening it will give really smooth grinding.

Best option: (After you replace the platen with whatever type you decide on)
Adding a Kool-Mist clone will solve 95% of all your grinding issues. They are stupid cheap on Amazon and eBay.
I do recommend getting the genuine Kool-Mist #77 coolant concentrate. A gallon will last a long time.
The cold mist will allow grinding post HT without and dipping or risk of edge damage.
You will need a fairly good compressor to run one for long sessions, but a smaller 90PSI max unit will do if you give it a few moments to catch up every so often. Kool-mist setup run best around 90PSI and 3CFM. The low cost HF compressors that say 90PSI 2.8CFM will work for most shops. Even a pancake unit will do te job if you give it short rests. You can run as low as 40PSI and 4CFM, but the higher pressure gets a better mist and really gets it cold. I don't dip my blades to cool them when grinding, but I may dip my hands in a bucket of warm water to prevent my fingers from getting numb. Heavy disposable rubber gloves are wise. I like the heavy duty 6mil and 8mil black disposable gloves mechanics use.
 
Where to find a carbide platen for my Wilton Square Wheel? My workaround has been attaching a 2” wide piece of 440C to it. I hardened it, as you would a blade, but never tempered it. Dang thing has lasted forever, but I’d rather see how a carbide would work out. Tried pyroceram twice but I just can’t take the static electricity “pop” I get every time I use it (I was actually struck by lightning when I was 16 and any type of static shock will about cause me to have a fit).
 
godogs57 said:
Where to find a carbide platen for my Wilton Square Wheel? My workaround has been attaching a 2” wide piece of 440C to it. I hardened it, as you would a blade, but never tempered it. Dang thing has lasted forever, but I’d rather see how a carbide would work out. Tried pyroceram twice but I just can’t take the static electricity “pop” I get every time I use it (I was actually struck by lightning when I was 16 and any type of static shock will about cause me to have a fit).
Click to expand...
How long is the platen on that grinder?
 
Thanks guys for the recommendations!
8” platen can be bought from darren from contender ironworks aswell.
If you would like to get another size or already made on a custom baseplate to fit your machine just let me know.

They arent cheap indeed but definitely worth it. My personal platen is still as good as new after almost 3 years of intensive use.
 
RD_knives said:
Thanks guys for the recommendations!
8” platen can be bought from darren from contender ironworks aswell.
If you would like to get another size or already made on a custom baseplate to fit your machine just let me know.

They arent cheap indeed but definitely worth it. My personal platen is still as good as new after almost 3 years of intensive use.
Click to expand...

I was a fairly early adapter of Your platen and recommend them to every maker. I just love mine....very rarely am I impressed with products, but every time I scrap gunk off it, I'm amazed it's Still a mirror
 
Crag the Brewer said:
I was a fairly early adapter of Your platen and recommend them to every maker. I just love mine....very rarely am I impressed with products, but every time I scrap gunk off it, I'm amazed it's Still a mirror
Click to expand...
Thanks man appreciate it.
Everybody using them is really liking them and still myself aswell.

Just have to scrape it clean every now and then and its good to go again.
And better results off the grinder aswell

Probably i will make radius platens with curved carbide aswell.
We are in the process now off trying out couple different techniques to make that possible.
 
RD_knives said:
Thanks man appreciate it.
Everybody using them is really liking them and still myself aswell.

Just have to scrape it clean every now and then and its good to go again.
And better results off the grinder aswell

Probably i will make radius platens with curved carbide aswell.
We are in the process now off trying out couple different techniques to make that possible.
Click to expand...

When that happens please keep us posted!
 
RD_knives said:
Will do for sure.

I hope to get first 2 testpieces at 14” and 29” radius in around 4-6 weeks.
The i can try and test those two out myself first.
Click to expand...
I would definitely be interested in carbide radius platens if they work out…
 
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