Need a new backstop for my grinder.

[TheBigRedArcher]

Hey all:

I need to replace the backstop on my grinder. It is a Grizzly 1HP 2x72, the one the call the knife grinder. I tried making a knife this weekend and noted that something was making my blades grind asymmetrically from side to side. I checked it with my straight edge and the dang back stop is bent. How this happened I have no idea and am chalking it up to it being a grizzly. If you were to make a new backstop for the grinder, What steel would you use?

TBRA

[madness522]

i would use half inch mild steel.

[TheBigRedArcher]

Madness:

Now thats a thought, Go thick? do you think it would be abrasion resistant enough? I was originally thinking along the lines of D2 for the abrasion resistance.

[Lin Rhea]

There is a certain amount of maintenance you have to perform on your platten. Thicker will allow several flattenings. Harder will be fewer flattenings, etc. Also, clean it from time to time.

[madness522]

The only real problem I've had from a mild steel platen it a rolled edge from dropping it when I took it off one time so I could sharpen my lawn mower blades.  It didn't take long to get it back flat.  I like 1/2" because of what Lin said about more flattenings between replacement.

[TheBigRedArcher]

Lin:

Fattenings. any special trick to that.

I am a wee bit confused on that note. how do you go about flattening yours. And further, for the level i am at in my craft do you think harder steel platen is overkill or due to the less need for flattening would be the better choice. There are some machine shops in the area that I can have mill what I need to make the platen.

Chris

[Doug Campbell]

Just the mild steel platen with occasional tuning up will do most folks. The back side of your belts will wear the platen eventually, usually different for each person... Your's may have just worn instead of being bent.

I reflatten mine with my surface grinder or mill but if you were careful you could do it with the belt or a disc grinder... The way mine attach I also have two sides on each platen, just turn it around...