Will this work?

[sargentcrunch]

Will the KMG Platen (http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=91) fit on a GIB? I mean, I know I could drill new holes, but does anyone know if the holes, by some chance, line up out of the box? It would save me some time making my own platen, and I know KMG stuff is high quality.


Thanks
-Bryan

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

I don't believe so. The holes on a GIB platen measure a little under 6" OC. I could be wrong, because I don't have a Beaumont platen to measure, but it looks closer to 7" OC. Plus, the GIB fits a 10" platen and the beaumont is only 8".

Charles

 

[sargentcrunch]

Thanks Charles, guess I will try to make a platen. Should the platen be flat up against the back of the belt? I think I will use angle iron, and maybe some cheap home depot steel, then put a ceramic glass platen and jb weld it for the belt to run over. Will that work ok?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

That is the standard platen mount. Slot the holes on the angle iron and make it movable so it can be adjusted in and out.
It isn't a necessity, but welding a small 1/8" lip on the bottom of the platen for the glass platen to rest against is a good idea. Just cut a 2X.50X.125" piece of steel and weld it at the bottom. That will prevent a possible failure of the JB Weld causing the glass to go flying.

Make a second angle plate platen mount with holes for the KMG size platens. That will make switching to a radiused platen or a chiller fairly fast and easy.

 

[sargentcrunch]

Thanks Stacy, I am gonna start the platen this weekend then.