Originally Posted by maxxgraphix ... Even the aluminum plate I purchased is not exactly .5, some is .5, another is .493 another is .517, so now I have to go back and redesign the plans. |
This has got to be true about every DIY (or commercial) builder who uses aluminum plate as part of their design. Now I'm curious, since you aren't the first person here who has mentioned the standard tolerance of plating to be an issue with machine design -- so what is it about your design that causes this to be a problem?
I'm asking because the design I'm working on is predicated on using 0.5" 6051 plating -- and I can't see where +/- 15 thou is going to cause the machine to be inaccurate. I mean, if I align the rails and screws correctly (including shimming, if required), won't it be okay?
Or, do folks that use aluminum plating first run every plate through some sort of surfacing tool that gets them to exact dimension?
I was way more worried about end cutting the plating accurately...if I also have to worry about thickness, then...yikes...
Thanks,
Chris