Recommend a rotary platen?

I used the KMG one years ago and it worked well, but the belt can cup on the edges a bit, so you need to be mindful about that so you don't get grooves in your blade! The AmeriBrade one looks nice and has a flat platen area, too, which will be nice for low speed and finishing blades with flat or convex grinds. Currently, I am using some F3 (1/4" thick from amazon) or S2-32 rock hard (1/4" thick from McMaster-Carr) felt pieces on a metal platen backer to get nice smooth convex grinds. Others attach a piece of scotchbrite belt to a platen and then leather over the scotchbrite to have some give. The leather wears quickly though.

I saw another guy (I think on this forum??) that runs 2 contact wheels (on different tool arms IIRC?) to make a slack belt section and could vary the tension/give on that area by moving the wheels closer or farther apart? Others slack belt right before or after a contact wheel where the belt is stiffer.
 
I have the Ameribrade.
I like having a rotary.

But I also like using my Bump file/grinding bevel guide on it .... I'm guessing "for safety" they have side plates protecting the ribbed belt.

I sawed/ground more clearance relief on those plates. Now the guide or my handle scales don't hit the sides. It was especially bad in the left side of the grinder, but not now.IMG_20260404_133854723_HDR.jpgIMG_20260404_133821806_HDR.jpg
 
Brings up a great point! Rotary platens or soft platens kinda suck for plunges. File guides are really needed; I flat grind and then convex after the plunges are cleaned up and try to keep them clean. Leather helps if it's fresh, too better than felt does with plunges.
 
I currently use a leather hang-on platen cover. I have some felt too, might try that. Thinking about a full-on upgrade though.
 
Go for it! I miss my rotary platen, but don't have the $$$ to cough up for a new one yet! So it's felt and leather until then!
 
I have used my Beaumont unit for a long time. Had to replace the bearings several times. You can't run them at full speed.
 
last time I was shopping around for one, (still don't have) I remember being keen on the Brodbeck, likely due to price and/or availability. What I'd really want is a Moen, but they spendy! And hard to find around here.
 
I haven't used one, but I would bet the Reeder unit is top quality (based on all his other products). He also offers a hardened platen add-on for it.
 
I have a kmg which the rotary itself has served me well and it’s a pretty decent deal since it has been perpetually on sale this year….the tooling arm that came with it on the other hand has been god awful since i have a tw90 and the tooling arm has to be cut a certain way to get the right belt spacing and the one beaumont sent me is giga warped which throws my tracking off and I had to have BeckTools BeckTools make me a new one
 
Last edited:
I really liked my Ameribrade one.

For plunges I like to use the regular platen, run through the grits on that then switch to the rotary and run through the finishing belts again. It only taks a few minutes to run through them and you are saving the platen bearings/dealing with less heat build up on small groups.

I usd mine with a backing platen and that is convex enough for me, I might rig up some sort of rubber flat platen so get close effect on the cheap, not sure hw well it will work.
 
Daniel Fairly Knives said:
I really liked my Ameribrade one.

For plunges I like to use the regular platen, run through the grits on that then switch to the rotary and run through the finishing belts again. It only taks a few minutes to run through them and you are saving the platen bearings/dealing with less heat build up on small groups.

I usd mine with a backing platen and that is convex enough for me, I might rig up some sort of rubber flat platen so get close effect on the cheap, not sure hw well it will work.
Click to expand...
before the rotary i just used various soft platens I had one lined with leather and another with hard felt
 
Mine thinned down so I have more access....
IMG_20260425_145457000.jpg
*I do Not recommend anyone doing this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top