Tool Steel Platen

AVigil

AVigil

Adam Vigil working the grind
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Feb 17, 2009
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I went to KBC tools and picked up some 01. I am going to make a harden platen for my grinder and was wondering what hardness would you guys recommend?
 
HARD! :D I did the same thing, out of 0-1 and tempered at 370 F just enough to take the brittle out, not that I thought it was needed. Worked wonders on my flat grinds.

My 2 cents.
 
I use a 3/4 slab of d2, hardened straight out of quench, no tempering.
 
I have a few in D2, just a slight draw from full hard, and two in O1--- same thing. Personally, I MUCH prefer this to the glass stuff because it doesn't shock me and I can surface grind it when it gets grooves in it (maybe once a year or so?).
 
I thought long and hard about using a glass platen. I just could not bring myself to do it.

I know a lot of guys use them but my sense there is a much safer alternative.....I will do that ;)
 
Cool thread! I like my "pyroceram" platen but it does indeed build up static and I shudder to think what will happen if/when it breaks or comes loose. The reasons you all are giving for hard tool steel platens make a lot of sense.
 
Could one of you post me a picture of how you fasten the plate? I'm guessing you are using a thick plate then drilling part of the way thru and threading that hole? Is that correct?

Does anyone sell such a piece? I was going to put the ceram plate on, but now I think some hard steel would be better.

Sorry if this is a dumb question!

Thanks!
-darren
 
I am going to drill and thread 4 holes into the platen and then bolt it on with red locktite and split lock washers to makes sure it stays put. I plan on putting the mounting holes at the top and at the bottom sections of the platen the do not get used for grinding.

I am going to radius the edges of the platen for plunge lines. Of course all the work will be done before hardening.

Just a note I am going to lap the surface before heat treating and then again after heat treating to insure it is dead flat.
 
I stated out with the hardened steel platens and found that in a very short time they developed a small hollow where they were used the most. The hollow produced weird grinding only very little to begin with. I introduced the ceramic platen thing to one of the forums many years ago. I still like it better than the ceramic platen. Frank
 
Frank Niro said:
I stated out with the hardened steel platens and found that in a very short time they developed a small hollow where they were used the most. The hollow produced weird grinding only very little to begin with. I introduced the ceramic platen thing to one of the forums many years ago. I still like it better than the ceramic platen. Frank
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Funny, cuz I'm having the same problem with the pyroceramic platens, too. I've had them crack on me, too. I believe I'm going back to surface ground fully hardened steel platens.
 
Any one ever make a hardened work rest for their grinder? I'm getting grooves in the work rest from pulling the knife across the belt with the spine sliding on the work rest.
 
I don't think the glass platens suffer the heat build up that the steel platens do. I may be wrong on that. I have a hardened steel platen that I used for several years but when the grooves started wearing into the surface; I glued a ceramic glass liner to the surface. I figure as long as your getting good grinds your on the right track.
 
For sure, Fred. I found the hollow was forming in an area where I was doing the contour grinding of blades. Of course it still happens wirh the pyro ceramic glass plate but not near as soon . They last about 4 times as long for me and I've never had one crack or want to move to the side. I say as always USE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. Now isn't that a good knifemaker answer? Frank
 
Do any of you with ceramic/glass platens not have issues with electrostatic shock?

This was my biggest complaint with the glass platen. Once it broke, I didn't replace it due to the shock issue. Of course, I'm too lazy to hook up a static dissipative wrist or ankle device.

Mike L.
 
logem said:
Do any of you with ceramic/glass platens not have issues with electrostatic shock?

This was my biggest complaint with the glass platen. Once it broke, I didn't replace it due to the shock issue. Of course, I'm too lazy to hook up a static dissipative wrist or ankle device.

Mike L.
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I put some of that padded rubber foot mat material around where I stand by my grinder and I've had no more shocking.
 
Danbo said:
I put some of that padded rubber foot mat material around where I stand by my grinder and I've had no more shocking.
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I stand on a horse stall mat when I grind and there is no static discharge with that. I always found the shock factor kept me on my toes.:eek::)
 
RE: static and ceramic platen... it depends mostly on what shoes I'm wearing (I work on a bare concrete floor). Seriously, I hardly ever notice it in boots or sneakers, but if I'm wearing rubber swampers I suddenly turn into a 230# capacitor and get zapped a lot.
 
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