alistairwitt
Plastic
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2019
Hi, (first post)
I've recently got a 400x400mm (16x16") granite surface plate and I'm mucking around hand scraping the bottom of an old hand plane as a bit of a learing experience; I'm just starting but it's going well and is good fun. However, I figure it would be good to take some measurements to have a better idea of the results, and again, just for fun. I've got a dial indicator and (adjustable) stand/arm with mag base. Since the mag base is no use on the granite, I thought it would be good to make a cast iron base that either the mag base can attach to (on top), or the stand can be threaded into directly (after removing from the mag base). I've found a supplier who has cast iron round bar (but not flat) in various diameters and can cut to length. I was thinking that a piece 90mm (3.5") diameter and 25mm (1") thick might be a good candidate for a suitable base, and would be further scraping practice.
My questions relate to using something like this in practice, since I've never used one. Do you think the dimensions I've suggested would be suitable? I guess too large a base would take up too much space on the surface plate and leave less room for parts under test, too small, and it could be unsteady or topple over. Is it better to be thicker/taller/heavier, or thinner/shorter/lighter for ease and effectiveness of use? Lastly, would a round base be problematic in any situation? The only ones I've seen images of are rectangular with grooves and other features. I look forward to your thoughts.
Kind Regards,
Alistair Witt
I've recently got a 400x400mm (16x16") granite surface plate and I'm mucking around hand scraping the bottom of an old hand plane as a bit of a learing experience; I'm just starting but it's going well and is good fun. However, I figure it would be good to take some measurements to have a better idea of the results, and again, just for fun. I've got a dial indicator and (adjustable) stand/arm with mag base. Since the mag base is no use on the granite, I thought it would be good to make a cast iron base that either the mag base can attach to (on top), or the stand can be threaded into directly (after removing from the mag base). I've found a supplier who has cast iron round bar (but not flat) in various diameters and can cut to length. I was thinking that a piece 90mm (3.5") diameter and 25mm (1") thick might be a good candidate for a suitable base, and would be further scraping practice.
My questions relate to using something like this in practice, since I've never used one. Do you think the dimensions I've suggested would be suitable? I guess too large a base would take up too much space on the surface plate and leave less room for parts under test, too small, and it could be unsteady or topple over. Is it better to be thicker/taller/heavier, or thinner/shorter/lighter for ease and effectiveness of use? Lastly, would a round base be problematic in any situation? The only ones I've seen images of are rectangular with grooves and other features. I look forward to your thoughts.
Kind Regards,
Alistair Witt