Tip of the Day #1 - Leather Platen

I

itrade

Joined
Jul 3, 2002
Messages
645
FWIW, I've done some playing with platen covers.

Graphite Belt
Thick leather
Bare Steel
Pyroceram


Here's what I've found:

* Steel is fine, but looses flat and attracts a magnet.

* Pyroceram stays flatter longer, but you have to ground yourself to the machine, because of static charges. And it is easy to crack.

* Graphite Belt is nice for blending or working out scratches.

----------------------------------------------------

But my new best friend is leather! A nice thick piece that has had lithium/moly grease rubbed in.

Not for blade grinding, but handle work.

For example, when shaping bolsters I like an angle cut in the front of it. Against a hard platen you can get some bump (even with the best belts) and it's easy to make flat spots. If you do keep things perfect while shaping you also get hard edges. Then I have to clean it up by hand.

However, with leather you get softer edges, smoother operation, and easier to avoid flat spots.

I get great results with leather and the following sequence (416ss and wood):

120 grit to do initial shape
220 grit for final shape
16 micron to smooth it out
9 micron to remove scratches

then to the buffer.

The point is leather backing rocks for this kinda work. I don't have any hand work for cleanup.

Steve
 
Great tip, Steve. It seems like it would work like the soft wheel that someone suggested. Always leather around, I'll try it.
Thanks, Lynn

BTW, I don't think anyone else has this problem but I'm constantly changing plugs on extension cords. My luck manages to always get the wide side of the plug in the wrong hole. I have marked my plugs and recepticles with white paint. Makes my life simpler.
Lynn
 
Steve, I have been doing this for a few years now, both for blade finishing and handle work. The leather removes the bump and gives me a nice smooth finish on blades as well as handles.
 
I may have to replace plugs on mine sometime cuz all plugs in my apt. are lose. Actually had to file down one prong on myu grinder because it was loose, so was shoritng in there, and had carbon buildup on one side(not to mention I'm sure it's not good for the motor). SO have it through extension cord right now, which seems to isolate it better from the vibration, and hence jiggle it loose less.

I should jsut replace them all. or tell apt. manager too. But I'm lazy, and I don't llike having apt. people in there if I can avoid it, with all the tools, guns, knives, etc, I'm sure I'm breaking some portion of my lease.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top