Surface Plate Square

**DIYer** · Feb 7, 2019, 06:53 AM

Thanks rossbotics! We've added your Surface Plate Square to our Measuring and Marking category,
as well as to your builder page: rossbotics's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Surface Plate Square by rossbotics

tags: square, plate

**PJs** · Feb 7, 2019, 12:22 PM

just have to be a little careful with the one made by Fred Flintstone is all.

Ya ba dabba dood a fine job too.

**metric_taper** · Feb 25, 2021, 07:55 PM

I know this post is 2 years old. Where does time go.
That must be a pretty good tool maker vise. Photos appear to be using it for perpendicular reference for grinding edges of work, as well the 90 square angle.
So you never mention much about your heat treat process. This is pretty large pieces of O1. I assume you have an oven large enough. Any tricks to keep scale to a minimum? Do you preheat your quench oil?
The dowel pin holes that are reamed before heat treat, did you have any issues with the material swelling, or was that just minimal enough for a tight press fit?
Sorry for so many questions so late in the game.

**metric_taper** · Mar 2, 2021, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by rossbotics

Insert quote to notify Doug, as my post is not seen

I know this post is 2 years old. Where does time go.
That must be a pretty good tool maker vise. Photos appear to be using it for perpendicular reference for grinding edges of work, as well the 90 square angle.
So you never mention much about your heat treat process. This is pretty large pieces of O1. I assume you have an oven large enough. Any tricks to keep scale to a minimum? Do you preheat your quench oil?
The dowel pin holes that are reamed before heat treat, did you have any issues with the material swelling, or was that just minimal enough for a tight press fit?
Sorry for so many questions so late in the game.
I figured you never got a notification from my last post, I hope this does that.

**Saltfever** · Apr 20, 2024, 04:03 PM

Hi Doug, I am revisiting this after a few years as well. I have a particular question which is the same as meteric's unanswered question above. I'm interested in the difficulty you had with the dowel holes after heat treat. How or where did you compensate for their change in dimension after heat treat? Did you anticipate an issue and factor that into the fab before HT or after HT? Do you remember the hole (or dowel) tolerance you allowed for? Sorry for all the questions so late in the game. I know it has been many years but your expertise is greatly appreciated! All the best.

**rossbotics** · Apr 23, 2024, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by Saltfever

Hi Doug, I am revisiting this after a few years as well. I have a particular question which is the same as meteric's unanswered question above. I'm interested in the difficulty you had with the dowel holes after heat treat. How or where did you compensate for their change in dimension after heat treat? Did you anticipate an issue and factor that into the fab before HT or after HT? Do you remember the hole (or dowel) tolerance you allowed for? Sorry for all the questions so late in the game. I know it has been many years but your expertise is greatly appreciated! All the best.

Hi Salt fever and thank you for your questions.
i did have a slight out of roundness in the 1/4" dowel pin holes after heat treating, I relocated the dowel holes in the mill and ran a 1/4" carbide end mill in the holes, the holes were only 3/8" deep in each piece, i probably could have just pressed them together but i was afraid of cracking, so after the holes were retrued it went together with a little resistance just like it should, then it was ground all over.

Thanks for enquiring.

Doug