Shopsmith Forums

I was looking at the strip sander on the SS website that is currently on sale and noticed is mentions it has "Interchangeable Flat and Curved Platens" and shows a photo of them...what are these and how are they used?

Platens are what supports the sanding strip, behind it, so it doesn't give as much when you push your workpiece into the strip. Some are flat to sand straight pieces and outside curves others are curved for sanding inside curves, etc.