New Granite Surface Plate

I've treated myself to a new granite surface plate, the old one from Axminster was getting too crowded, (it was one odf the 300x200x50 ones).

Not sure how good this will be, **LINK**

It's coming on Wednesday, so I'll find out then!

Jim

I broke mine in three pieces by accident yesterday - gutted!

If it doesn't give away anything too embarrassing how did you manage that Fizzy?

Mike

Fizzy,

If it is any consolation, I made one for The WaterWorks Museum in Hereford. Bought a slab of marble from a stonemason in a local town.

Made up a sturdy angle iron frame, with internal cross bracing, to provide a flatt(ish) surface on which the marble could sit. Each corner had an adjustable levelling screw, at the bottom of a vertical piece of angle to prevent the marble from moving off the base.

Placed a sheet of hardboard on it, which was covered with wet, rather sloppy plaster / wall filler, before placing the marble slab onto it. In that way, the marble should be "floating" and free of stresses.

The 18" x 24" slab of marble cost me £30. Larger would have been too heavy to place / remove from, the boot of the car! You may be able to get a better deal.

Then made up, and varnished, a simple plywood cover for it.

Howard

Given that the Chronos one is 18" sq and 4" thick, and the price includes delivery, that sounds quite reasonable to me!

They don't seem to specify the weight - which is a bit of an omission for something like this.

C'mon Fizzy spill the beans ! How did you break your surface plate ?

Ian.

Hi I got granite composite cutting board from Tesco very flat, well flat for my skills, cost £12.

.

The density of granite is fairly consistent, so; unless they have milled it out [which seems highly unlikely] it should be a simple matter to estimate the weight.

MichaelG.

I don't doubt it. Why should I need to? This is a sales page and the weight seems rather a critical characteristic for what they are selling.

I had it propped on its sude against the hydraulic press....moved predd, plate dropped and kaput! Ordered a new one but that one had sentimental value - gutted

Well, I have just received my one from Chronos - 400 x 250 x 80 @ £52 (free delivery) - 25Kgs (bargain)

I haven't put it in the workshop yet but it appears to be good and certainly good enough for me!!

Matt

Mighty impressed!

Its a big un! Measures 18" x 18" x 3 1/2".

The poor chap from UPS carried it up the drive! I've had a quick check of it, looks perfect, the enclosed "certificate" gave a max error of 2.5 microns. I've ran my "tenth" clock across it and get almost zero error.

With a discount code, it was about £78, delivered

Happy chap today

Jim

Edited By jimmy b on 10/01/2018 17:03:35

If that was me it would have landed on my foot so i would be nursing a broken foot along with a broken plate !

Ian.

Oh dear!

I trust the sentimental value wasn't because it had 'In Loving Memoriam...' carved on one side!

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 10/01/2018 18:01:46

Hooorah! I bought one on Friday from Chronos as well, SCT 400 x 250x 80 Granite surface plate. It will be here tomorrow. Can't wait! :D

I also managed to bag a unused 1981 670mm Chesterman vernier height gauge the other week as well in mint condition with box and everything. 2018 is looking like a proper job :D

Excellent.

I hope you are as pleased as me!

Jim

> 2018 is looking like a proper job

Or you'll end up miserable because now you can check everything you make you will see how wonky it all is...

Neil

Neil, I am a professional and it will be used as evidence against those who doubt my skills . Thankfully, I will not be using this gear to check my work, but to accurately mark out hole positions for the musical instruments I manufacture (Low whistles and penny whistles).

Cheers Jim!