Sine plate question

[tjr6257]

Can anyone help me with this: I'm thinking of buying a small sine plate, I'm wondering if it's worth the extra money to buy a compound instead of a standard one. Having never used one I would think difference would be just more setup time with a standard plate if you're needing to do a compound angle on something where you could accomplish it in one setup with a compound plate. Any comments on this? Any other advantages to owning a compound I'm not thinking of? FYI I'm just a hobby machinist at this point, I don't have any particular needs to grind or mill compound angles, just what ever may arise in the future. Thanks in advance. Tim

 

[benmychree]

I'd just start off with the simple one. I think that you will not even use the simple on very much or seldom at all. I have never felt Any need for one, and only use a tilting vise in a blue moon, perhaps a set of angle blocks might suffice.

 

[Mini Cooper S]

I have been doing this for over 50 years, I do have a 6" sine plate and have made good use of it over the years. That said, I don't think that I ever wished that I had a compound sine plate. I have mounted a work piece, at an angle on an angle plate, and then put the angle plate on my sine plate to do a compound angle. I would say, save your money or better yet, spend the difference on something else!

Richard

 

[benmychree]

I had a 6 X 6 electromagnetic compound sine fixture, pirated from the local navy yard when it closed down, never used it and sold it on e bay and invested the proceeds in other more useful (to me) items.

 

[Nutfarmer]

It all depends on the work that you do. If you need one it's hard to find a substitute. Would start with a simple one first and only go to a compound one of the work required it. I my use mine once or twice a year. Never have needed a compound one.

 

[Dabbler]

I own a compound one, but I'd prefer a simple one, but you take what's available...