Thread: Contact Wheels & Advice Please...

Here ya go, added the flat platen today. Have yet to start making sparks, but I think I am ready. I'm sure there will be some tweaks here and there, but that goes with everything that is made like this.

Really makes sense to use your contact wheels in your flat platen setup. Saves the cost of two aluminum wheels and mounting hardware, and no set up time between the three available ways to grind. I still have an AL wheel on the bottom, but have a 2 inch contact wheel on the top. Happy sparks!

I have the GIB too and I really like the 2 tooling arm slots. One thing you could add to your build that may help is a piece of ceramic glass on the surface of the flat platen. It helps keep the flat of your platen from wearing out.
Something like this

To mount it, I welded a very thin piece of mild steel to the bottom of the platen. The glass sits on top of this and is held on by epoxy. If the epoxy ever gives out, the little shelf will hold the glass in place.

If you grind a lot, you will appreciate the wear resistance of the fire glass.

+1 to the above. The glass is cheap, and the wear time is outstanding. Almost half a year of use, and not even a scratch on it, I don't think that thing wears at all