A Really Solid Basis

**Bushmiller** · 12th November 2012, 10:00 PM

A little while ago I was watching a Graysoline auction. It was for the Toowoomba foundry, which was something of an institution in that city, and also part of the Southern Cross company. The Victorian branch had folded in horrendous fashion and brought down the profitable section of the business, which included the Toowoomba foundry. All Toowoomba plant machinery went up for sale in about nine separate auctions including the patternmaker's shop.

A single entity bought all the machinery and some of the associated equipment. I, along with others on the forum, was one of the devastated losing bidders. Then we received notification that this single bidder who had won the vast majority of equipment had defaulted and anything not previously sold was up for auction again.

Here we go again I thought. I had been particularly taken by a granite setting table, which is also known as a surface plate. Made of 150mm thick granite it is 900 x 600 mounted on a wheeled trolley. In the last auction it sold for $649 plus buyers premium and GST (another 15.5%). Way beyond my budget.

Anyhow to cut a long story short, which I haven't done as it is not my way, I was successful at $249 much to my surprise. Where did all the other biddders go

? Not that I'm complaining.

There are three setting blocks with machined faces, the table is "lab" grade made by Wing industries and a surprise, because I didn't know it was there, was the vertical venier gauge.

I plan to use it for sharpening mainly, but because it is an extravagance, also for setting purposes.

Did I do all right?

Regards
Paul

**pjt** · 13th November 2012, 12:40 AM

I'd say you did very well, half your luck

Pete

**localele** · 13th November 2012, 06:12 AM

Looks like you got it for the cost of the front wheel assembly. Great score .I was looking at all those myself but the travel to pickup ruled them out. Bid on the thicknesser again but dropped out for the same reason. If the successful bidder doesn't like it for some reason please get in touch with me.

**Bushmiller** · 13th November 2012, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by localele

Looks like you got it for the cost of the front wheel assembly. Great score .I was looking at all those myself but the travel to pickup ruled them out. Bid on the thicknesser again but dropped out for the same reason. If the successful bidder doesn't like it for some reason please get in touch with me.

The front wheel is interesting in that half a turn presses down the wheel via the eccentric cam and it is then relatively easy to push the whole caboodle around. With the steel trolley the weight is approaching 300Kg.

I was interested in the jointer and bid in the first sale, but had an unrealistic budget.

There were two more surface plates up for auction both similar to mine. The second was larger at 900 x 900 and sold for $319 while the third was identical to mine, except that it had a large granite cylinder with it and the whole thing was in absolutely pristine condition. It sold for $1919!

Localele, I think you may be right in that I bought the front wheel and the rest was free. I suspect that the venier gauge is worth more than the sale price too

.

I did try to find out what these plates are worth new but drew a blank. I couldn't trace Wing Industries of Victoria as all three tables were made by them. They may no longer exist.

Regards
Paul

**localele** · 13th November 2012, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

I did try to find out what these plates are worth new but drew a blank. I couldn't trace Wing Industries of Victoria as all three tables were made by them. They may no longer exist.

STANDRIDGE GRANITE SURFACE PLATES, BASE PLATES, BENCH PLATES, MICRO FLATS This link will take you to a similar company in the US for a price and size & weight figures.I think you will be surprised at the size these can be made.Interesting reading for sure.

**Bushmiller** · 13th November 2012, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by localele

STANDRIDGE GRANITE SURFACE PLATES, BASE PLATES, BENCH PLATES, MICRO FLATS This link will take you to a similar company in the US for a price and size & weight figures.I think you will be surprised at the size these can be made.Interesting reading for sure.

Michael

I did do a little research before I posted this thread and I found a number of surface plates in the US. At least one was 6m long and I don't remember the width and, yes, I was surprised

. 6m x 2m x .15m (It was probably thicker than that) would be about five tonnes.

I'll have a look at your link. Thanks.

Regards
Paul

**Brobdingnagian** · 14th November 2012, 10:49 AM

Wow! very very nice pick up. I would have put a bid on the granite cylindrical square as well :P You got at least three/four times your moneys worth on the granite alone not including anything else and even if it was only inspection grade. Lab grade is normally within 2 micron over the entire surface. You might consider re posting in the metalwork section as they would have the best idea on Wing Industries surface plates.

**Bushmiller** · 14th November 2012, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Brobdingnagian

Wow! very very nice pick up. I would have put a bid on the granite cylindrical square as well :P You got at least three/four times your moneys worth on the granite alone not including anything else and even if it was only inspection grade. Lab grade is normally within 2 micron over the entire surface. You might consider re posting in the metalwork section as they would have the best idea on Wing Industries surface plates.

Thanks Josh

I fell on my feet on this one (for a change) as I did not know it was lab grade material and as I mentioned before I had no idea about the venier gauge. It is not apparant in the picture, but it is a real beauty. Originating in the pattern shop I possibly should have expected no less.

Just for reference here are some pix of the other two tables and the granite cyclinder associated with the green'un. Enjoy (or drool).

Actually at least one irreverent forum person has suggested I can expect a left body part in the post in exchange for the table. What would I want with that. Yuk! He must be nuts....

BTW, I know you signed up for the forum recently because of your involvement with the plane blade and chisel group buy, but I see you have already contributed significantly. Looks like you are up for the long haul. Excellent

.

Regards
Paul

**Brobdingnagian** · 17th November 2012, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Just for reference here are some pix of the other two tables and the granite cyclinder associated with the green'un. Enjoy (or drool).

ohh Ahhhh! could have used one today....

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Actually at least one irreverent forum person has suggested I can expect a left body part in the post in exchange for the table. What would I want with that. Yuk! He must be nuts....

If it was a hand/arm you could always use it to challenge people to duels

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

BTW, I know you signed up for the forum recently because of your involvement with the plane blade and chisel group buy, but I see you have already contributed significantly. Looks like you are up for the long haul. Excellent

.

Thanks, the forum is a great way to fill in time while you are waiting to a grinding setup to finish:P , plus the people are so nice

**Stewey** · 28th November 2012, 11:16 PM

Failing any other use, or the fascination factor, I'm sure they could be used to produce some great scones or shortbread!

**Bushmiller** · 29th November 2012, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Stewey

Failing any other use, or the fascination factor, I'm sure they could be used to produce some great scones or shortbread!

Stewey

Interesting you should mention that. I did in fact bid also on the larger surface plate with the intention of putting one of my buys in the kitchen. As you have so rightly observed, stone is perfect for pastry making including sconesas it is important not to impart heat into the mix.

However it was a bit of overkill, I had no idea how I would squeeze the plate up the stairs as even the smaller one is around 250Kg and lastly I wasn't sure if the timber piers on the house were up to the task of a concentrated load.

It never came to the crunch as I would have to have bought it for a giveaway price, although I was the losing bidder

.

Regards
Paul

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