Glass platen

Gliden07

Well-Known Member
I need a glass platen for my grinder. The size is 2x8-3/4" I've found 8" and 9" no 8-3/4" though. Anyone know where I may be able to find one??
 
The ceramic glass will grind like metal does. 80 grit or 120 grit works fine. In the glass trade, “killing the edge” is using a sanding belt to slightly round over the sharp edge left by traditional cutting.
 
I was going to use glass and bought in a couple of pieces but my platen is 11 inches ong so I had it (3/8 mild steel) milled flat and tapped a couple of holes for 1/4 inch machine screws (1 at top and bottom) to take a length of 1095 that I drilled countersunk and hardened. Going to be an easy process to change it out when it gets worn without having to worry about getting the J B Weld off it all. Simply undo the screws and screw on the new 1095 plate.
 
Just a shout out to Jose at Pheer grinders. He sells the pre cut, drilled and tapped ready to grind platens for his grinders. Its like $10 so I just went ahead and bought a second one which will change out in about two minutes. Have I mentioned I love my grinder yet?
 
There's a seller on eBay HERE who will do custom lengths if you message them first.
Just to mention I've purchased from the guy linked a couple of times with good results both times. He'll cut to length and has 8" and 9" listed.
Von Gruff, once you try a glass platen you won't go back. I used hardened steel for a while then purchased a glass platen - no comparison.
 
Von Gruff, once you try a glass platen you won't go back. I used hardened steel for a while then purchased a glass platen - no comparison.
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What are the benefits of a glass platen?
 
Von Gruff, once you try a glass platen you won't go back. I used hardened steel for a while then purchased a glass platen - no comparison.

What are the benefits of a glass platen?
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first they are quite a bit lower friction than a steel platen so they generate less heat and waste less torque for your motor.
Mostly they wear slower than steel and they are modestly easier to replace. If you are doing flat grinds you want a flat platen. All platens wear and get small grooves. Trying to get a nice even grind line on a platen with wear grooves is exceptionally frustrating. Run your fingers across your platen, if you can feel slight indentations, shallow spots or grooves, time to replace.

If you can't seem to get a nice even line on your flat grind, it's highly likely you have a worn platen. Make it a point to know where the low spots are on your platen and use other parts of it until it needs to be replaced.

If you try and do a flat grind with a platen that is worn trying to get an even grind line you will almost consider giving it up. I change mine the minute I notice ripples. I do expect a ripple where I profile a blade using the tool rest. I make it a point to never flat grind over that part of the platen.

Ceramic glass, fireplace glass, Pyroceram(tm) is basically the same thing. It isn't "regualr" window glass. It handles expansion way better than say typical glass or laminated safety glass. I've tried both. Those nearly always crack from localized heat when grinding.

The down side to glass is you can't slam your tool rest into it when setting up and it will generate static electricity when humidity is low. The solution to knock down the static, spray your belt with Static Guard laundry anti-stat spray, grinder and a little on you (cause it smells better than you) and the annoying little sparks will go away. Some guys will attach an extra ground lead to their grinder. Some guys will run a ground (computer safety static guard wrist strap) to them selves which I have tried and hated.
 
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The solution to knock down the static, spray your belt, grinder and a little on you (cause it smells better than you) and the annoying little sparks will go awa
What do you spray?
Thanks for the other info, my platen does get hot so maybe its time to try a glass one.
 
Well I ordered a custom length platen from USA Knifemakers or if you prefer Boss. He oked the platen to be cut for me so I can just Epoxy it on! Beth took care of this with late night email I sent after asking Boss if he could do it. GREAT CUSTOMER service!! I'm sure you hear the bad so you should hear the good! Thank you Tracy for the super customer service!!
 
Tried the glass platen today, on one of the last ditch knives I'm working on. Great difference all seems smother and easier to use. Matter of fact got a little to aggressive with belt but should be able to fix it no problem!
 
Glass is the bees knees for a platen. It's hard to relay in words, just how nice it is, but once you try it, you'll be hooked. ;)
 
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