what to pay for a cast surface plate?

[Custom Metalshapers Ltd]

Hi Guys,

I was at an engineering shop getting a job done and we got talking about machinery. I was shown an unused and unloved CAST surface plate under a pile of boxes.

on closer examination its 6 1/2 feet by 3 1/2 feet with the criss- cross webs on the underside. the legs are like traffic cones with threaded adjusters on each leg.

ive never seen such a thing for sale and its been suggested I go back and make an offer to the owner as its in the way a bit.

Its old and English no doubt. anyone reckon what might be market on something like that? I cant comment on the surface condition because it was buried but it wouldnt be super important for my purpose.

[Mark Fox]

Check this one out http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Cast-Iro...item3f1ed50e2b

[Richard K]

If it is unused, unloved, setting on the floor; it is no longer a surface plate. You have no way of knowing its flatness for inspection reference. So consider it just a handy piece of scrap iron and offer scrap price. It could be hand scraped again by a rebuilder at considerable expense. For your purposes it is probably a very usable flat reference as is.

[flakey]

Hi Tony.
I've just bought a 6 foot by 3 foot inspection grade trable, in great condition it was £1200 a little more than I wanted to pay but it is in great shape, they had another one a bit knocked about for £800

[Custom Metalshapers Ltd]

Gee Rich you really killed the romance but I see your point value wise with its probable lack of engineering accuracy.

im more on the cool looking old table angle as you guessed so Im hoping it wont have a gleaming top and a recent accuracy cert stuck to it.

An offer from scrap up to scrap value x2 should do it.

thanks for the help with that Ranalah by the way Fintan. Much appreciated and thanks to this site I could put all that together. Its standing behind me and is now a rather lively green colour.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Originally Posted by Custom Metalshapers Ltd

... thanks to this site I could put all that together. Its standing behind me and is now a rather lively green colour.

Photos...you owe us photos...

[Custom Metalshapers Ltd]

Just as an update on an earlier question. I picked up that surface plate last week. I got a bit knocked of the price as it only had 3 legs.

its German not English. Gave it a paint and plugged a few old drilled and tapped holes. nice chunk of steel.

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[louisfbrooks]

Nice score. Sure beats the rickety old fold up table I use.

--louis

[neilho]

Originally Posted by Custom Metalshapers Ltd

I got a bit knocked of the price as it only had 3 legs.

Oh my! You are a bargainer par excellence!

It had 3 legs so the top would stay planar, independent of the surface it was sitting on. All surface plates are intended to sit on 3 points for that reason.

So by inspection standards, a 4 point mount is warping the plate. But....it's probably plenty accurate for your needs. Besides, cast iron surface plates are obsolete and make great tables.

Gorgeous paint job, good fab job on the supports and nice find!

Neil

[Peter Tommasini]

HI Tony that sure is a good buy you will find a million ways to use it
Peter