The Home Machinist!

One step closer to being able to tear down a mill in the shop and true it up.

Found this 24x36 inch surface plate at a government auction local and was able to haul it home on the truck beating the cost of shipping a 600 pound beast.

The cost was 380.00 when all was said and done.



Next on the list is an 18 and 12 inch square.

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Charlie Pipes
USMC Retired

Project:

2.5 Baldwin 2-4-4 Conversion
1.6 Southern Railway PS-4

My goodness. A plate that thick for its size must me a Lab. grade(AA) stone. How is the surface? If the surface is not worn you have a surface plate that is way better than the average home shop machinist would ever need. They are usually kept in a temp./humidity controled room, not in the shop.
Cary

Hope this isn't a highjack, but here's a crazy idea on surface plates.
Some folks find an old tombstone and use the back for a surface plate. But--warning--they weigh a ton! Many are dead flat because the polishing process is essentially a form of lapping. But you do have to check carefully, as some are not flat.
Mine came out of a letter-press print shop when the printer absconded while owing me money. He got the granite really cheap because someone traded in the family tombstone for a newer, more stylish, model. (Honest! I'm not making this up.) I think he paid $34, if my memory is correct. Of course, that piece of granite cost me more than a fancy surface plate, since the scoundrel owed me several K. (I'm not a loan shark; the debt came with a business I bought and later sold.)
Moral of the story: Some guys smarter than me can find bargains that I wouldn't have thought of. Shop you local monument company? Just check carefully.
My apologies. Let's get back to the thread!
--Bob

_________________
--Bob

Gorton NC mill converted to manual to be converted to CNC.