Surface Plate Placement

[landrew]

I've managed to secure a 36x48 granite surface plate from a business liquidation. The plate is being delivered next week and I'm pondering the placement of this table in my shop. As it is not on casters, I'd like to be sure it's going in the correct position.

I see that some builders have tables etc placed against a wall in their shop, and still others (with more room) have tables that they can walk around/access from all sides.

Any material disadvantage to placing this table against the wall rather than having access to all sides?

Thanks!

Andrew Holywell

[adarn]

I'd have access on all sides if you have the space, makes actually measuring things a lot easier.

[Eric Estlund]

Access is key.

If you are going to stick it against a wall, make sure that your method for using the thing allows you to do so from a limited vantage.

[jclay]

Access from all four sides makes it easier to do your work. Access to only three sides is certainly workable if you dont have the room. I sacrificed a short side to an obstruction for a while.

[Andrew R Stewart]

Access from all sides AND a wood cover so you can use it for a working surface when not doing the alignment thing. Andy.

[John Winston]

^ what he said

[Doug Fattic]

If you do need to place the alignment table against a wall or something else, you would only want the right or east side of the table up against the obstruction – assuming the post is on the south side. The other 3 sides need to be available for checking and adjusting alignment. This also assumes you would have the frame oriented with the head tube going west. If you are able to place the table so there is space all the way around it and you also wanted to place a vise on it, the northeast corner is the least used space so it would make sense to put the vise there. This can be done by 1st bolting the vise to a piece of plywood and then C clamp the plywood to the table. This way the vise is removable and it won’t hurt the surface. C clamps will hold the vise tight enough for most work.

[Will Neide]

Is there an option to build a base for it with wheels? I'm space constrained and I like the option of moving stuff around as needed.

[landrew]

Thanks for the guidance, folks! I've moved a few things around in the shop so that I can have full access to the plate...

[Mike Mcdermid]

do you have a stand for it?

[landrew]

It's currently on a ULINE metal table (not good)... a proper castered stand is on the way and once it arrives I need to figure out how to move the damn thing to the new stand!

[landrew]

Thought I would post some pictures for those who are interested.

I found the plate listed for free on Craigslist. A local company was relocating operations to Houston and did not want to bring the plate with them. I hired a professional equipment mover to send a couple of guys, forklift and flatbed. The move went well until the forklift would not fit in my garage but the guys popped the table on some dollys and got it into place. I convinced the office manager that was getting rid of the plate to pay me a disposal fee to offset the moving costs. So, I've got 36x48x6 Grade A plate sitting in my garage for about $500- wheeee!

I mentioned in a previous post that the table that the plate is sitting on is not ideal. I noticed it was starting to bow in the middle slightly (enough to slide a metal ruler between the plate and the table). I got a jack and placed it in the middle. I see now that there are similar gaps on each end of the plate now (just enough to slide a metal ruler under). I was thinking another jack on each end of the table would help. The table is rated at 3000lbs, but I really have my doubts about that. Proper castered table is not in the budget for a little while...

Good times photo 1.jpgphoto 2.jpgphoto 3.jpgphoto 4.jpgphoto 5.jpg