Steel platen?

[Patrice Lemée]

This may be a stupid question but can a platen be made out of steel. Or do you absolutely need some kind of liner?

Pad

 

[Don Hanson III]

I've been using steel platens for 25 years, they work for me. Some folks put a ceramic piece on for a platen but I like steel.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks, I'll make a stell one then.

Pad

 

[Mike Hull]

Most platens I've seen are steel. People just put a pyroceram liner on it to keep things flat longer, make for cooler temps on belt and platen, including the wheels, and less work for the grinder, as the belt has less drag over the pyroceram. Just make sure to slightly round the top and bottom edges a bit to ease the belt on and off the platen. 220 then 400 work well for that.

They do work well.

 

[RJ Martin]

You can use ordinary plate glass too. I've used it for 20 years now.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks for the other suggestions. Would putting a mirror finish on the steel platen help or is it overkill?

Pad

 

[Don Hanson III]

Thanks for the other suggestions. Would putting a mirror finish on the steel platen help or is it overkill?

Pad

Would be overkill, just grind it flat.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks Don, overkill is my middle name.

Pad

 

[flatgrinder]

A piece of hardened D2 would probably last a while too.