24" x 48" granite surface plate AND wtb

[1dogandnoexes]

This size doesn't seem to be too common, though it would be a good size to put in my shop and have it double as a work surface with a cover on it. I want the surface plate for scraping. Is there anything off about a plate of this size?

I've tried to work with someone on Facebook in Pleasant Garden, NC to purchase her 24" x 48" Rahn surface plate but she doesn't communicate. If there's anyone out there with a 24" x 48" granite surface plate in good condition, 4 hrs or less from Washington, D.C., please let me know.

Thanks

 

[Paolo_MD]

I think that the standard is between 2:3 and 3:4 side ratio probably because with narrower rectangles the diagonal would not be much longer than the longest side.

If you cannot cope with a 48x36 and you really need that extra 4 sqft in your shop, probably your best option would be to find a larger one, map it to see where the flattest places are, and have a lapidary business trim it to your favorite size.

Paolo

 

[Luke Rickert]

Generally I think it is best to buy new (or reconditioned) surface plates unless you can actually check and repair a used one which is non-trivial). New plates just aren't that expensive, even if you need to import a plate from Europe. Johann Fischer would probably make one in whatever size you want for example. Shipping to the US was the same cost as shipping to France a couple of years ago.

Luke

 

[marka12161]

I bought a 2' x 3' x 6" Rahn plate with an hour and a half drive of my house a couple of years ago. I paid $50 and had it tested for another $100 or so (the guy came to my shop). It tested at grade A.

 

[sfriedberg]

Pretty sure you can get a 2x4 granite plate from Standridge Granite at no price premium for "odd" size. Since Standridge is on the west coast, that doesn't help you much, but if you contact any of the main plate makers in New England, they should be able to sell you what you want.

 

[M. Roberts]

We are located in Delaware...we have a 6' x 7' x 18" thick grey Starrett surface plate that I think that we are trying to find a home for...

 

[ballen]

your best option would be to find a larger one, map it to see where the flattest places are, and have a lapidary business trim it to your favorite size.

Always wondered if that would shift the balance of strain in the granite and twist the plate by a few microns. But maybe granite's internal stresses are so small that this does not happen.

Do you know?

 

[sfriedberg]

Internal stresses in stone used for surface plates is, at least anecdotally, extremely low. However, you'd still have to deal with having new Airy support points, which could require a modest relapping of the new trimmed smaller plate.

 

[hvnlymachining]

We are located in Delaware...we have a 6' x 7' x 18" thick grey Starrett surface plate that I think that we are trying to find a home for...

Post a price and info, there's always people looking for one if the price is right. ( I know I am, but that's waaay too far for me)