Grizzly Surface plate? Snag or Pass

[ltlvt]

I didn't ever think I would need to measure in 0001 either . But now I find myself only using the micrometers and indicators that have the 10ths vernier. My hobby is not machining (making chips) My Hobby is rebuilding and restoring Vintage and Antique machines. So, .001 is a lot when you realize it is always going to be transferred into the parts you are making on your machine. And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Dabbler]

@ltlvt exactly! each of us has different needs. If you need accurate reference for all your measurements, a surface plate and a set of gauge blocks is the foundation. If your accuracy needs is int the half-thou to 3/4 thou range, then a good set of mics and mic references is all you need.

I learned to do layout with a surface plate and a height gauge. So I use the techniques I have been taught!

 

[ltlvt]

@ltlvt exactly! each of us has different needs. If you need accurate reference for all your measurements, a surface plate and a set of gauge blocks is the foundation. If your accuracy needs is int the half-thou to 3/4 thou range, then a good set of mics and mic references is all you need.

I learned to do layout with a surface plate and a height gauge. So I use the techniques I have been taught!

I am a both needs kind of guy. If my neighbor needs a bolt shortened I use my lathe and a hack saw. If I am making parts FOR THE LATHE I use all the precision I have to make them. And holding my breath while making the parts for the lathe is also included. lol

My moto is "Be prepared" "Better to Have and Not Need than to Need and Not Have" When I was growing up daddy didn't have tools. Having 2 9/16"/1/2" was something I always wanted. Now I trip over tools and can't pass up a deal on good tools.

Asking to borrow a tool is against my religion. I simply will not borrow anything including buying on credit. Any interest I pay is money I could either save or spend on something I need or want. Easy credit is the decay of any society.

 

[m1kemex]

I simply will not borrow anything including buying on credit. Any interest I pay is money I could either save or spend on something I need or want. Easy credit is the decay of any society.

Problem is inflation. If you could simply save and keep your money's value, you would not have to borrow anything. But being realistic, a deposit of $100 now, will only be worth $90 a year from now, so it's hard to blame people for not allowing the government to steal from them, and rather spend it right away when it's still worth $100.

Buying on credit is just a way to maintain liquidity when you have to rush to spend your money.

 

[Larry$]

My One ¢! The used Griz plate seems a bit too small for what I have used a plate for. I'm not even sure that a plate is needed for someone just starting out. Assuming there is a real or imagined "need" the price difference between an A grade and a B for import plates is very little. Shipping the bigger plates gets expensive! If you are serious about getting the most accuracy you need a stand designed for the 3 point support that your plate was made to. (expensive also.) I've had a Shars 18 X 24 B grade & stand for a long time. It's done everything I've wanted. But I don't do work for NASA! I have used my plate for scribing layout lines and for bluing up to find the high & low spots on castings. Since I don't have a surface grinder I just scrape the castings in until I get an even pattern followed by a light stoning. I don't know how far off I end up but it works.

 

[ltlvt]

My One ¢! The used Griz plate seems a bit too small for what I have used a plate for. I'm not even sure that a plate is needed for someone just starting out. Assuming there is a real or imagined "need" the price difference between an A grade and a B for import plates is very little. Shipping the bigger plates gets expensive! If you are serious about getting the most accuracy you need a stand designed for the 3 point support that your plate was made to. (expensive also.) I've had a Shars 18 X 24 B grade & stand for a long time. It's done everything I've wanted. But I don't do work for NASA! I have used my plate for scribing layout lines and for bluing up to find the high & low spots on castings. Since I don't have a surface grinder I just scrape the castings in until I get an even pattern followed by a light stoning. I don't know how far off I end up but it works.

Somebody please explain to me why the tolerances for Aerospace are so tight. I am aware that parts tolerances are measured in millionths. So has any spaceships failed to start because of parts that are .0001 out of spec? Were millionths even measurable in the 50's and 60's? And if so how? I managed a fuel pump product line when I worked for GM. We had to meet grinding tolerances of 2 microns on plastic that were ground on machines made for the watchmaking industry. But then after the parts were made to the print they were slammed together on the assembly machine and you could see the chips laying on the tops of the machine tables. I say some of this kind of tolerances are to insure job security for engineers. Why does a fuel pump for an Oldsmobile have a different part number and packaging spec than the exact same fuel pump that is for a Chevrolet. Too many dipsticks. Each dipstick has its own engineering staff that is why.

 

[ChazzC]

Somebody please explain to me why the tolerances for Aerospace are so tight. I am aware that parts tolerances are measured in millionths. So has any spaceships failed to start because of parts that are .0001 out of spec? Were millionths even measurable in the 50's and 60's? And if so how? I managed a fuel pump product line when I worked for GM. We had to meet grinding tolerances of 2 microns on plastic that were ground on machines made for the watchmaking industry. But then after the parts were made to the print they were slammed together on the assembly machine and you could see the chips laying on the tops of the machine tables. I say some of this kind of tolerances are to insure job security for engineers. Why does a fuel pump for an Oldsmobile have a different part number and packaging spec than the exact same fuel pump that is for a Chevrolet. Too many dipsticks. Each dipstick has its own engineering staff that is why.

Not just Aerospace: we had to meet ridiculous requirements for Deere & CAT brake & clutch linings that in some cases required Blanchard grinding of friction materials. I think that some industries they have one set of standards that they apply to all of their parts, regardless of cost (yet another contributor to inflation).

 

[Larry$]

they have one set of standards that they apply to all of their parts, regardless of cost (yet another contributor to inflation).

It is an aid to the import makers that don't waste $ on stupid tolerances.
As for buying gold as a means of security, you are betting on some other fool to be willing to pay you more than the cost of inflation at some point in the future. I doesn't pay a dividend or rent. Cat must be doing something correct. They still dominate their industry. I bought shares of CAT in 2009 for $70. I've let it auto-reinvest since. I now have more shares and each share is now worth $391. Beat the hell out of government bonds, gold or interest bearing stuff. BUT it carries a risk. Some other fool may not be willing to give me much for it in the future.

 

[ulav8r]

Check out grizzly-9-x-12-x-2-granite-surface-plate-no-ledge/g9649.

$35 plus shipping. How far are you from Grizzly? The 9x12 is big enough to check small parts and to back sandpaper. A used 9x12 should be less than $20

 

[ltlvt]

It is an aid to the import makers that don't waste $ on stupid tolerances.
As for buying gold as a means of security, you are betting on some other fool to be willing to pay you more than the cost of inflation at some point in the future. I doesn't pay a dividend or rent. Cat must be doing something correct. They still dominate their industry. I bought shares of CAT in 2009 for $70. I've let it auto-reinvest since. I now have more shares and each share is now worth $391. Beat the hell out of government bonds, gold or interest bearing stuff. BUT it carries a risk. Some other fool may not be willing to give me much for it in the future.

It is actually worth what you sell it for the day you sell it. Also if it is common stock they can sell it for you at a loss to you without your permission. Ask me how I know.