Import surface plates

[Nelson]

First, another stupid Nelson newbie question:

What are surface plates commonly used for in the home shop?

Next, a practical question due to cost:

Are import" surface plates any good?

[This question was asked on another forum, but the thread abruptly closed without an answer due to the word "import"]

Almost all of the plates on ENCO and other sites are import brand.

Also for rubbing the ways on a lathe or other narrow strips can you use the side of a surface plate, or are there purpose built plates with a narrow flat surface for this application?


Thanks,


Nelson

 

[Tony Wells]

I'll answer the second part first. As long as the plate meets its required and declared standards, they all come out of the ground. They are rock, nothing more. Naturally, like Bridgeport mills, everyone want a Starrett Pink.....it has a high quartz content, making it quite hard and durable, and stable. Way more stable than a home shop would need. way more stable that anything less than a climate controlled inspection facility would need.

Now as for uses, there are many. Primarily, they represent a plane of reference for measurement. The variables are endless. Matched vee blocks with a shaft or other round part in them to measure bend, concentricity, deliberate offset, etc., etc.. Sine bars/plates to measure OR lay out angles or feature locations. Height comparisons or measurements when used with the appropriate instruments. Comparative squareness measurements. Etc., etc.. I'll let others add to this.

 

[4GSR]

I've got a half way nice Starrett pink granite I snatched off of eGay a couple of years back. Sure look nice sitting in my office:biggrin:

 

[Nelson]

Anyone ever make their own surface plates out of polished granite floor tiles or safety glass with the edges chamfered?

 

[Tony Wells]

You probably could, using the 3 piece method of lapping, but unless you had a good way to gage your progress, it would be difficult to impossible to rival a bonafide surface plate. One guy I worked for started his first shop with a blank tombstone. I doubt it was certifiable, but evidently was sufficient.

 

[bcall2043]

Re: Surface plates in the home shop

First, another stupid Nelson newbie question:

What are surface plates commonly used for in the home shop?

Thanks,

Nelson

Unfortunately the ones in my shop most often are the place that things get set down. I recommend a plywood cover or such to keep them clean. Surface plates are not the only thing with this problem. I have a neighbor who I have to watch to make sure he does not set his beer down on the band saw table (about the height of a bar) or other steel surface. I am gentle with him as he usually brings extras when he comes over.

Other uses in the home shop are laying out hole or bore locations and inspecting work when finished. This is the real use and is not made easier by sticky beer spills or grit from being left uncovered.

Benny
In middle Tennessee, USA

 

[nctoxic]

Reference making your own from floor tiles, etc.,,I have a piece of granite countertop that was cut out for the kitchen sink. Obviously it isn't square, but just how ridiculous would it be to use it for hobby type uses? It's appx 1 1/2" thick.

 

[Nelson]

Guys,

Is there a precision way to check this for square? Most kitchen countertops are precision ground. You could get the sink cutouts cheap from a counter place and have them squared off.
(Or do it yourself if you have a watercooled saw with a diamond tip).


Nelson

 

[WisJim]

I have a son who fabricates and installs granite counters. We find that the granite slabs are smooth but not necessarily flat. They aren't even uniformly thick--if a long counter requires a joint, the 2 pieces might not be the same thickness either. And the most common color around here, which is black with reddish and brown flecks in it, is sometimes magnetic in spots. But a sink cutout might be flat enough for home shop use, and the rough back might be the biggest problem.

Jim

 

[nctoxic]

Jim,
Thanks for the response. I figured that the countertops weren't precise enough for most, maybe even ANY, surface plate use, but just wanted to ask the question.

Tim,,,