What to put between Surface Plate and table top

D

Djstorm100

Cast Iron

Joined

Jul 26, 2014

Location

Raleigh NC

• Nov 28, 2022

• #1

This is unexplored territory, my shop is small so space is highly value. I figure something simple, like hockey puck or something like that. Plate is 2" x 3' x 4". I can combine my work station and inspection together in a smaller space, with tool carts under it.
It's going on a table like this.

Let us know you're not a robot - Sam's Club

www.samsclub.com

 

C

CarbideBob

Diamond

Joined

Jan 14, 2007

Location

Flushing/Flint, Michigan

• Nov 29, 2022

• #2

Hockey pucks work great .

 

D

Djstorm100

Cast Iron

Joined

Jul 26, 2014

Location

Raleigh NC

• Nov 30, 2022

• #3

CarbideBob said:

Hockey pucks work great .

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Really? I thought my leg was being pulled when I was first told about it lol

 

M

machinistrrt

Hot Rolled

Joined

Aug 15, 2008

Location

near Cleveland

• Nov 30, 2022

• #4

Djstorm100 said:

Really? I thought my leg was being pulled when I was first told about it lol

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Be sure to support the plate in the correct three places-airy points I think they're called else you'll need recalibration

 

D

Djstorm100

Cast Iron

Joined

Jul 26, 2014

Location

Raleigh NC

• Dec 1, 2022

• #5

machinistrrt said:

Be sure to support the plate in the correct three places-airy points I think they're called else you'll need recalibration

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Yes sir, I got the print from Standridge but they also mark the bottom of the plate as well.

 

J

John Garner

Titanium

Joined

Sep 1, 2004

Location

south SF Bay area, California

• Dec 1, 2022

• #6

Djstorm100 said:

Plate is 2" x 3' x 4".

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Did you mean 2 ft x 3 ft x 4 in thick?

 

D

Djstorm100

Cast Iron

Joined

Jul 26, 2014

Location

Raleigh NC

• Dec 1, 2022

• #7

yes

 

R

rdenney

Plastic

Joined

Aug 10, 2022

• Dec 2, 2022

• #8

My surface plate is much smaller than yours, but it’s just a matter of scale. I used threaded leveling feet for a table turned upside down and inserted into holes in a worktop. Threaded holes would be even better, but my worktop was wood, so I just added nuts and a washer to provide leveling adjustment. Easy to level with an end wrench, and easy to insure they are at the appropriate points.

The feet have nylon inserts—not quite as hard as a hockey puck but the same idea.

Rick “would need a stronger table for your rock” Denney

 

R

R. Dan

Cast Iron

Joined

Sep 1, 2012

Location

NW Iowa

• Dec 29, 2022

• #9

I use 3 hockey pucks for my 18" x 24" plate. I figured out what the airy points were according to the innerwebs info I found and marked out those locations on the corner of the old wooden Mayline drafting table that the plate sits on. Placed the pucks on those locations and then the plate on the pucks. For a plate this size you don't have to get too fussy - you're not building a eff'n piano. You can buy hockey pucks on Amazon somewhere around $20 for a dozen. You can even get red ones if you want.

Amazon.com : hockey pucks

Hockey pucks come in real handy for a lot of uses.

 

eKretz

Diamond; Mod Squad

Joined

Mar 27, 2005

Location

Northwest Indiana, USA

• Dec 30, 2022

• #10

Couple of my plates have cork pucks. I'd think that hockey pucks should work just fine, they're very dense rubber.

 

M

metalmagpie

Titanium

Joined

May 22, 2006

Location

Seattle

• Dec 30, 2022

• #11

I have a 3'x3' plate with lips on 4 sides. I had it lapped on a plate with "3" feet:

The feet were ordered from McMaster-Carr. 1/2-13 threads, rubber feet. I used 2 side by side for the 3rd foot because that is what Starrett does. The plate is 3/8" thick. There is a 5/8-11 hole in the center so I could lift the plate into place.

The surface plate was relapped sitting on these feet.

I am looking for a 24x36" plate grade A or better near Seattle if anyone has one. This one is a bit too big for me.

metalmagpie