[TheForge] Re: Minimum Tools (RE: [blacksmiths] Hi, and so it begins.)

[James Binnion]

>	flat steel plate - for use as a lap.  Place abrasive paper on
>	it and use for lapping pieces flat by hand.  I am a strong
>	advocate of the slow and steady school of material removal
>	in most cases.  Slow translates directly into CONTROL and
>	when you're doing precise things such as fitting joints to
>	within 0.001" by eye, slow is the way to go.  In the end it
>	is well worth the time and patience spent.  If you can find
>	a piece of 1/2" thick stainless steel plate, 12" x 24" and
>	dead flat, you will have one of the most useful objects in
>	your shop.  You should build a wooden box for it and treat
>	it as if it was made of gold.  I'm very serious about this.
>	It will provide a reference surface as well as a working
>	surface that will enable you to do some highly precise things. MH

I agree completely that this one it is essential. However you can 
find very inexpensive granite surface plates for $50 or there abouts 
in the discount machine tool supply catalogs . Works just fine and is 
inexpensive. And since either one will be ruined by dropping or other 
rough handling I don't see any real difference.


Jim Binnion

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