using my wilton platen

[Jim Beam]

I am brand new to using my wilton and while flat grinding i move from the plunge grind to the tip of the knife on one side then i move to the other side (always keeping the edge up). The problem is that the platen is wider than the belt so when i switch sides i cant get the plunge grind/belt/edge of platen to line up unless i readjust the belt tracking... this makes it very time consuming. Any hints on how to switch from side to side while keeping the plunge grind clean and all??
thanks

 

[L6steel]

I have thought about bolting a piece of 1/4" or 3/8" thick by 2" steel to the platen so the belt will set out from it a bit. This would enable you to make both plunge cuts without making much of an adjustment. It would have to be done with contersink bolts or the holes in the steel plate threaded and bolted from behind and then the bolts ground off flush.I haven't dont it though. I just started doing my flat grinds on a 6 by 48 belt sander. It's slower, and I feel I have more control, especially when doing the plunge. I'm sure someone else will have a good idea for this problem. Hope you find something that works for you! Take care! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"


[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 07 December 1999).]

 

[T. J.]

I dont know about wiltons, but on my little 2x48 I had that problem, till I ground the platen to exactly the width of a belt. You might consider it. (shrug)

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[Kit Carson]

You guys may or may not know this- both wheels on the platen on the Square Wheel are on a cam type action. You can add a piece of steel to the platen and adjust the wheels so they stick out a little further. Helps eliminate belt wear from rubbing the steel corners.

A piece of 3/16" x 2" steel can be drilled and tapped and put the screws in from the back.

 

[tom mayo]

if you build up the middle of your tracking wheel a bit with electricians tape...just the middle...make sure you have it going the right way now...it will make your tracking mechanism work much better and more precisely, doing this i can get my belt off both sides of my platen....make sure the wheels are set back behind the platen as suggested above...they are on concentric posts and can be moved in and out.

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