Alignment table from scrap 1" steel plate?
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Alignment table from scrap 1" steel plate?
I was pondering a 1" 8x16' plate down at the scrap yard and ended up talking to a welder who has more of the same and could cut me what ever size I need. Any one here think this is an opportunity? I'm not realy clear on how flat is flat and what the scale of economy is for this kind of project. Related to the question of "flatness" What sort of affordable straight edge can i use to do initial evaluations? Thanks, Woody
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I feel like a drywall t square is probably straight enough for this evaluation. OTOH, I have never found one that is square, which seems to be a major failing.
It used to be possible to have something like this blanchard ground for a reasonable price. Not sure how hard it is to find that service nowadays.
It used to be possible to have something like this blanchard ground for a reasonable price. Not sure how hard it is to find that service nowadays.
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I was thinking an 8 ft piece of 80/20 might be a passable straight edge.
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Is this thing going to be bigger than 4'? I would be willing to bet that a drywall square is straighter than an extrusion, and you can use the square to transfer fit between bikes.
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Maybe 3x4 if it makes sense. Probably want to check the diagonal so a longer reference would be good. I've set up table saws and other machinery with a shorter machinists straightedge and feeler gauges. I've got a book somewhere, on machinery set up that describes making a gauge out of MDF with adjustable pins, and how to get the pins set at the same depth to a tolerance.
I'm still hoping to snag a milling machine table. A couple big ones got scrapped last year, but it didnt quite register why I needed one of the tables.
I'm still hoping to snag a milling machine table. A couple big ones got scrapped last year, but it didnt quite register why I needed one of the tables.
Last edited by bark_eater; 07-21-19 at 03:57 PM.
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I have used my milling machine table for checking alignment, it works well
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Why not take it to a machine shop and have one side blanchard ground? My alignment plate was made that way. The machinist guy wasn't too happy with me because he had to do it a couple of times before the piece would stay flat after cutting.
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3'x4' is what I would call a good balance between more then big enough and not too heavy. I use a 2'x3' cast plate (w/webbing) and for most every need I have it works well enough. With no stiffening structure a 1" plate might have some sag so any table I built to house it would also have some sort of leveling screws. Andy
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