Cutting a Surface plate?

[BrendaEM]

I could use 36" or 48" surface plate, but no one makes one that's 8" or 12" wide. A wide plate of that length would be too heavy for my uses, such as guitar fretboard truing.

Can a surface plate be cut the long way without destroying its accuracy? Are there internal stresses that would just ruin the accuracy?

I had thought it could be cut by a water-cooled diamond blade in gravestone or counter top shop.

I was also thinking that splitting a 24" plate into three would yield 3 plates that could, hypothetically be trued together, if need be. The pieces would still be over a hundred pounds but could slide on find grinding compound or cerium oxide, such as the telescope people use.

[mxtras]

I wouldn't imagine that cutting a block of granite would ruin it's flatness.

Scott

[USMCPOP]

Find a place that does granite counter tops. Go around back, and get a few scraps from their dumpster. Get a roughly matching pair, and play around with lapping them a little bit if they need it. How flat do you really need it?

[BrendaEM]

Flatness, for instance a guitar fret will buzz if it's .002 off. I would like to make other straightedges from the surface plate too.

Both require only a small portion of a large surface plate. I've seen granite straightedges before, which would be ideal, but I could probably have a surface plate cut for less.

I'm surprised that long aspect ration plates aren't common.

[lgalla]

Checkout this E-bay store.
http://stores.ebay.com/Discount-Machine-Shop
Larry

[bigbunny5]

If it were me I'd go out and get the ElCheepo Grizly surface plate and find some one with a Water Jet cutter. I know the one at the shop I use to cut stuff can cut up to 5" think Marble.

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

How about a nearby memorial marker (gravestone) shop? I'd think they could cut a piece of granite or marble the size you want and probably grind it as flat as you require. I bet you could have it surface ground at a grind shop if the memorial shop couldn't.

Just a thought.

[project5k]

if you did that, could you then say it was "dead flat"?

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

I believe you're "dead right".

[project5k]

good, i was afraid i was "gravely" mistaken..

[mxtras]

I'll bet it would be deadly accurate!

Scott

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

I suspect these comments will be terminated. That is, of course, unless they are resurected by someone who believes in reincarnation.