surface for a flat platen?

[MarkJeffrey]

I'm going to start working on a flat platen for my grinder, does anyone have any suggestions as to what a good contact surface for it would be? The local metal supplier I use here has some very dense plastic looking materials but I'm not sure if they will heat up too much. Thanks in advance :thumbup:

 

[Bob Ohlemann]

The plastic will burn up and lose flatness pretty quickly. I recently purchased a ceramic glass platen for my grinder. I've yet to install it. I've been running a .625" thick mild steel platen and it has worked ok but I am a beginner grinder and haven't put a lot of time on my grinder yet. I do know based on platens on some of my other grinders that the mild steel will begin to get wear divots from use. I will be attaching the ceramic glass platen to the face of the mild steel and then I can replace it when it becomes worn.

Bob

 

[Varga Knives]

Ceramic glass (Pyroceram) is a great cheap alternative to steel. Plastic won't do. There are plenty of threads on the subject if you search those key words. If you go with the Pyroceram make sure you get your milt steel platen perfectly flat before attaching the glass.

 

[Tom Lewis]

I have used Pyroceram for quite a few years. I really like it. www.usaknifemaker.com sells it, they call it, "Ceramic liners" it's on pg. 41 of their catalog.

 

[Overmountain]

http://www.hightemptools.com/ceramicplatenliners.html

 

[Hengelo_77]

I don't know if it is the same stuff but I use heat proof glass from a place that sells stoves and heating supplies.
I dove tailed it to steel, diamond cutt of wheels in a dremel will let you bevel it for a dove tail