pyroceram platen question

[alexkuzn]

I just got my Ceramic platen from Darren Ellis.
Before I glue it on with JB Weld I want to round vertical sides to about 1/8"
I wonder if anyone also rounds or slopes horizontal sides of platen so platen and belt make smoother contact.

BTW What belt do you use to round ceramic?

Thanks,
Alex

[Frank Niro]

Absolutely Alex. I use a old 120 grit cork belt but I'll bet a 80 in a regular will work. Get some gloves on and very good eye protection as well before going ahead. Frank

[Ray Rogers]

If you do a Search on pyroceram you will likely come across one of the many times I have ranted about attaching glass platens but I'm going to give you the short version here: DO NOT ATTACH A GLASS PLATEN USING ONLY GLUE!!!!!!! I had the misfortune of having a glass platen come lose once and it is not an experience I would wish on anyone else. Fortunately, there is a very simple and easy way to make sure this doesn't happen yo you: simply attach a small piece of metal at the bottom of your steel platen so that the glass can sit on it . Use screws or pins to attach the metal foot. If the glue does let go - mine took nearly a year - the glass can't fall into the drive wheel, at least not easily or quickly.

Since making this simple mod I have not had a problem in over 8 years with either of my grinders. I realize that this problem rarely occurs but if it does you could be severely injured in a heart beat. Word to the wise.....

[ZDP-189]

I have a Darren Ellis ceramic platen in the right size for my Coote. Does anyone know how to attach the platen to the Coote grinder?


Thx

[Ray Rogers]

ZDP,

I've never seen a Coote up close but I would imagine the glass can be attached to it the same way it can be attached to any other platen. Many people just use epoxy, some prefer double sided carpet tape. I think the tape makes more sense because it makes the glass easier to remove and someday you will probably want to remove it. After lots of use, the glass can get a shallow depression worn into it. Removing it and turning it upside down can put you back in business. Bothe sides of the glass can be used this way.

No matter how you attach the glass, I hope you'll put a metal foot at the base of the glass as explained in my post just before yours. Cheap insurance...

[ZDP-189]

Many thanks, Ray.

My worry is that the steel platen is bolted in place by two screws. The screwholes that they go through on the body of the platen are not moveable. Therefore the platen would push the belt forward and it would no longer be in line with the contact wheel and pulley. It would probably also get in the way of the table.

[Frank Niro]

The double sided tape with two layers works great as long as it's the tape WITHOUT the cloth in it. Frank

[alexkuzn]

Guys,

I made a little foot for ceramic platen and got some tape but this double sided tape
seems a little too thick. What kind of tape do you use?
Do you cover the whole platen with tape?

I remember someone mentioned that if platen is not flat ceramic plate will crack eventually.
But that guy was talking abou using GB Weld. Is it also valid for double sided tape?

Thanks,
Alex

[nc_cooter]

I mounted a glass platen on my Coote grinder using Devcon 2 ton epoxy and a safety plate at the bottom. It's been working great for 3mos.

[Ray Rogers]

I've used double sided carpet tape for many years with the safety foot and never had a problem. The tape covers the full length of my platens. Glass is brittle, as we all know, so whether you use tape or glue and unsupported spot on the glass would be a weak point especially if it's in an area where you will push against it. The tape provides a little cushion but it the steel is really bad you might want to flatten it before mounting the glass. If the glass does break and if you are using tape it won't be that hard to change the glass....