Gib strip shape

[cooper1203]

does the cross section of a gib strip have to be a rhombus?

the compound and top slide gib strips have a cross section on a rhombus but the one for the saddle/ cross slide has a rectangular cross section

 

[benmychree]

All of them that I have dealt with were shaped as a parallelogram, both tapered and straight.

 

[homebrewed]

The part associated with the saddle is properly called a "slide plate". It's square because it doesn't have to fit inside a dovetail.

The reason gibs have a parallelogram shape is to fit better in the gap between the inner and outer dovetail, which has a similar shape. If they were square they'd have to be smaller, reducing the contact area.