KMG Platen.....like mine

[Ed Caffrey]

I've had several requests recently from folks who want a platen like the one I have on my KMG. A few times I had considered building them, and offering them for sale. BUT! The sticking point for me is how much I would have to charge for them...... around $500. So, my questions is......how many of you would be willing to pay that much for a platen for your KMG?

If your not familiar with the platen I have, it is built very similar to the standard Wilton Square Wheel platen, with a 1 1/2" contact wheel at the top, and a 3" contact wheel at the bottom. Rather than bolting on, it has a 3/4" pin for mounting, which allows the platen to be rotated to any position, but would require that each individual modify the tooling arm on their machine to accept it.

Here's a link with photos..... http://www.caffreyknives.net/KMGarticle.html

I have resisted building any of them, just because the cost would be so high, but if there are enough people who are interested in them, I might just have to reconsider. So let me know what you think....either way.


Take Care for Now!

[tomh]

Ed is that price with or without the contact wheels?

I am closer to getting my KMG, sans motor. That Mad Dog I put up for sale went in 5 minutes. Should have asked more! ;-) Talk to you soon brother!

[Ed Caffrey]

Hi Tom!

For the price I quoted, it would come complete, but with no glass on th platen. The contact wheels are the reason the price is so much, just the contact wheels alone would be nearly $200!

[tomh]

Thats what I figgered. Those buggers are pricey.

[Ed Caffrey]

OK, we're gona go in a new direction with this. I just got off the phone with Tom, and he made a suggestion that never occurred to me......make up plans for the platen! I think that will be something I will start working on this weekend. And since it was Tom's brain child, he's gona be the "guinea pig" for it. Once I get a set of plans figured out, I'm gona send him a set and see what he thinks. From there I'll make changes, and eventually offer the plans on my website. That would sure save me a ton of labor, and might make is affordable for all the Do It Yourselfers!

Tom......You da Man!!

[Ed Caffrey]

Moving forward with this idea...... I emailed Rob Frink, and asked his permission to make up plans for the platen. Rob will be the source for the contact wheels! He also said that he might still have the plans of the original platen that he built for me. If Rob can get me those plans, then I can adjust them for the modifications I've made to the original design, and we might just be in business. .......... More to come.

[NJStricker]

How about getting with Tracy Mickley, and having plans available along with his no-weld grinder as well?

[Dana Hackney]

I've been wanting that configuration for a platen ever since I took the basic
bladesmithing course and got to grind on your machine.

Thanks Ed!
Dana

[cdent]

Sounds like a great idea Ed, and you could still offer one or two of the critical parts for those who can't fab them. You might also draw up an extension that bolts to the tool rest holes so that some one could continue to use the tooling arm for the regular accessories. Looks like a great platen in use.

Take care, Craig

[tomh]

cdent, that is exactly what I was thinking!

[Dana Hackney]

I'll raise my hand along with Craig and Tom. For someone as bone-headed as myself,
when it comes to fabrication, this would be a big benefit.

I can't wait to see your price schedule, Ed. I'll start saving up

Thanks!
Dana

[jdm61]

Interesting. I have thought fro a while that another cool accesory would be an angled platen for the small wheel attachment so you could grind integrals. John Horrigan may have built one like that for a KMG or Bader.

[NJStricker]

Not to take this off topic, but what ever happened to the air platen?

[Ed Caffrey]

I heard about the air platen, and thought about it, but I think the basic concept has some major flaws that need to be overcome, and I just didn't have the time to play with it. Never thought much about it again until your post.

[Pelallito]

Hi Ed,
Anything new about your plans. I am also interested in them.
Thanks,
Fred