- Joined
- Jul 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,594
You are not any better off if you buy a nice looking used USA surface plate instead of an import plate. Both are equally unknown quantities, even if one is a used Starrett or other highly regarded brand plate. You have no idea how it was used and treated. Any plate you are using as a reference for calibrating your tools or testing parts to meet stated tolerances must be a known quantity. The used 18x24" plate I bought, a well known American product, was .003" out when I got it. In the surface plate world, .003" is a bowl, not a plate. I did not have any way of actually testing it, and knew it was well used, but bought it anyway for a core price and had it calibrated and certified. Now I am happy. Do not spend a lot of money for a used surface plate, make sure you know what it takes to get one calibrated and certified where you live, and add that to the total cost.