- Joined
- Jul 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,594
With a used surface plate, Starrett, Lee Valley, or God's Only do not mean anything at all. It is just a rock until proven otherwise. If it is not in current calibration and certification to a specific grade within the last couple years, and then carefully taken care of under your supervision, it is a complete unknown. If you are using it for layout and other non precision work, then fine, don't sweat it. But if you are using it for accurate work, or calibrating other tooling that must be correct, or making parts that must meet accepted standards, then you are just guessing.I am just a hobbyist, and a newbie at that. In the Starrett literature I read early in my initial steps into this hobby it was made very clear to get the best that you can afford. I kept my eyes open and picked up a grade B Starrett 36 X 24 black plate for $200 Canadian (so like $130 US lol). I am a hobbyist as I said, but I have not once though to myself, "gosh I wish that this surface was smaller" (No I don't move it). My shop is only 12 x 14 so it does command a fair amount of real estate, but worth it, completely. I started with the Lee Valley plate and it was just fine. Happened across this Starrett and sold the LV for $50CAD. I did pick up a 12 X 18 Starrett for lapping, again on Kijiji (like Craig's list) for $90CAD. It is grade A and had I found it first would have made do, but again my point being that go as big as you can. Just my 2cents.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk