What do you use as a soft platen?

J

J.P. Hall

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Oct 17, 2019
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I've used a leather platen before, and although it worked well, I tried it while wet grinding and it didn't seem to hold up great. It became much more grippy and I'm also worried that it may start to take on an impression from repeatedly having pressure in the same spots. I'm thinking of trying some alternatives like different types of rubber. I found some "PTFE glass cloth tape" that's typically used on the heated parts of vacuum sealers. It has a PSA pre-applied and is rated to 500F. I'm thinking it could help reduce friction as well as wear on the platen itself.

I'm curious about what other people are using as a soft platen-- leather, rotary platen, or something else?
 
leather for me at this point
 
I’ve used the heavy, hard felt pads sold at the two big box stores. Used at the very last passes to get the final finish. Change them often.
 
Hard felt from McMaster Carr. It does need to be changed regularly because it gets "dished" out.
 
It wears pretty well. The residue is graphite. It comes in a canvas backed roll or by the foot from most knife suppliers. I don't use the graphite covered platen often since I got a rotary platen, but it is great for final work on convex blades.
 
Cut a small section of a fine j weight belt, double stick tape the abrasive side to the existing platen and use the backing. It will wear but is easy to use and is cheap.

I also use compressed leather.

Hoss
 
I have a piece of lignum vitae which I might try using as a softer-than-glass backing. Interested to see how it might hold up to the heat and friction, plus I could shape the edges a bit for when I run the belt over the corners
 
Lorien said:
I have a piece of lignum vitae which I might try using as a softer-than-glass backing. Interested to see how it might hold up to the heat and friction, plus I could shape the edges a bit for when I run the belt over the corners
Click to expand...

Makes the best slicker for your leather work. What mine is and much better than bought ones.
 
I really need one of those rotary platens. But currently I use (from left to right):

Plain graphite tape
Tape backed with felt
Tape backed with thin foam
Tape backed with 1" wide thick foam (super handy for handle work and a J-flex belt. The belt bends around it, keeping the edges away)
Thick foam

IMG_7146.jpeg
 
S2-32 felt from mcmaster is the firmest felt I have found. F3 felt has more give and is nice for convexing kitchen knives after doing the initial flat grind. Leather doesnt hold up when wet or running full speed.
 
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