MadModder

The Shop => Tools => Topic started by: Bourne Bill on March 19, 2009, 07:12:10 AM

Title: surface plate questions
Post by: Bourne Bill on March 19, 2009, 07:12:10 AM

hello all, I m looking for suggestions on a surface plate. I d like to keep it on the small side. What size would you thing is minimum for hobby machining, and how important is it to have a ledge on it?

Title: Re: surface plate questions
Post by: sbwhart on March 19, 2009, 07:26:05 AM

Hi Bill

A piece of plate glass or mirror will do the trick,  :headbang:

As for size thats a piece of string question: but about 10" sq will do most jobs in a home shop.

I've just scrapped off an old scanner, so took the glass out of that and giving it a try:- seems ok :thumbup:

Stew

Title: Re: surface plate questions
Post by: Brass_Machine on March 19, 2009, 09:24:44 AM

Hey Bill...

If you look on ebay, you could find a 12" square granite one for relatively cheap. That should be a good size.

Eric

Title: Re: surface plate questions
Post by: ozzie46 on March 19, 2009, 11:09:01 AM

I went to a place that makes granite countertops and got the cutout for the sink. Price was right Free!! :D



  Ron

Title: Re: surface plate questions
Post by: websterz on March 19, 2009, 01:24:29 PM

Quote from: ozzie46 on March 19, 2009, 11:09:01 AM

I went to a place that makes granite countertops and got the cutout for the sink. Price was right Free!! :D



  Ron

Exactly how I got mine! :beer:

Title: Re: surface plate questions
Post by: bogstandard on March 19, 2009, 04:01:42 PM

For many years, I used the glass platen out of an old photocopier. It sat protected under my cutting mat.

But I eventually found that glass and big lumps of steel don't mix very well.

A piece of plate glass from the local window company will do just as good a job.

Almost anything with a hard and flat surface will do for what we get up to.

Anything around 12"x12" and above is ideal.

Bogs