Never thought it would make much difference...

[Chris Railey]

detergent

Are we talking Tide or Dawn? Or does it matter?

 

[bladegrinder]

I've always used Dawn, at work we use some concentrated stuff mixed with water, the only difference I believe is that the work stuff claims to be non corrosive on steel fittings.
speaking of Dawn, that's all I've used in my shop for years for hand cleaning. I'm past all the hype of these great so called hand cleaners they sell, what Dawn doesn't get off my hands acetone and a rag does.

 

[Chris Railey]

Dawn doesn't get off my hands acetone and a rag does.

I thought I was the only one...

 

[tkroenlein]

Joy is well known for anti static.

 

[Smallshop]

Joy is well known for anti static.

...and should put you in a good mood!

 

[MTBob]

Based on the raving reviews for a glass platen, I'm tempted to add it to my grinder.
But - When my platen gets "groovy" I've been simply removing it and milling off .005-.010" - and, bingo, I'm flat again.
So, the question I have for you glass guys - will I see much improvement by using glass vs keeping the metal surface flat?

 

[Chris Railey]

The glass will last longer than the steel and its less friction. I cannot say much past that.

 

[tkroenlein]

Based on the raving reviews for a glass platen, I'm tempted to add it to my grinder.
But - When my platen gets "groovy" I've been simply removing it and milling off .005-.010" - and, bingo, I'm flat again.
So, the question I have for you glass guys - will I see much improvement by using glass vs keeping the metal surface flat?

Yes.

 

[BossDog]

Every grinder we have in the shop has a glass platen.

Using Fireplace Glass - borosilicate- Pyroceram- ceramic- …..
instead of a metal faced platen will reduce friction and heat giving you longer touch time before dunking in water. That alone is worth it as it gives you more time to stay in a pass if you hand grind. The glass is harder than even hardened steel platens. It will wear and have to be replaced as does hardened steel.

we have a couple cans of laundry spray on static reducer at the grinding stations. Static sparks are usually only a problem when it’s very low humidity.

 

[soundmind]

Thanks Tracy...that shock can interrupt a nice pass and makes it a little tougher trying to figure out my grinder.

 

[Chris Railey]

Static sparks are usually only a problem when it’s very low humidity.

That explains why I do not get it here. 200% humidity...even in “winter”.

 

[Sean Jones]

While the humidity is low here in the Salt Lake City area, (usually in the teens or lower) I rarely have a problem with static. However I do have a rubber horse stall mat under my grinder. Maybe that makes the difference? Not sure.

 

[Delta Handmade Knives]

Now i feel silly for not installing it right away. I purchased the glass platen, it sits in my shop next to all my handle material. My task is to install it on my platen. Reading all these comments has shifted the priority of this task upward on my list.

Thank you!

 

[REK Knives]

For me when I get shocked with static I just turn on the misters for a second or two and it's gone for a bit

 

[J. Hoffman]

I ground on a steel platen for years without issue, but switched to glass on Tracy's recommendation. About a month later I switched back to steel. For the way I grind, it was not a good experiment. This is my answer to static shock. I have one on each grinder.

 

[tkroenlein]

I ground on a steel platen for years without issue, but switched to glass on Tracy's recommendation. About a month later I switched back to steel. For the way I grind, it was not a good experiment. This is my answer to static shock. I have one on each grinder.

Do you use a hardened steel platen?

 

[J. Hoffman]

Do you use a hardened steel platen?

Yes

 

[tkroenlein]

Yes

I imagine that would last a good long while as well as not constantly wearing like mild.

 

[Delta Handmade Knives]

Today I finally did it and someone please kick me for taking so long. Wow! I was already getting good grinds with my steel platen. But things definitely got better.

Flats are not only flatter but it seems much easier to read the grind. For example, when I want to thin out the edge it seems to happen faster and I feel like I can 'read' the rate at which material is being removed better than I could before. I find it also easier to read the top of the bevel on the side that you are grinding. For example, it seems easier to raise the bevel on the other side and bring it right to where my bevel outline lines are. Flats come about with less effort. The biggest and most noticeable change was how much faster I can go from zero to a rough pre-heat-treat grind that is accurate, flat and that I am very happy with. That combo took a lot longer for me personally before, with the glass platen it seems to come about faster and with much less effort.

I feel extremely positive about this addition and would strongly encourage other makers who do not yet have one to look into it. Don't be like me and wait as long as I did.

 

[Taz575]

I have really been loving my glass platen lately, too! Making for some nice grinds, much cleaner than before, even after no grinding a blade for several years!