Ceramic glass as flat reference

Tony Mont

Tony Mont

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 15, 2018
Messages
1,489
I've been trying to find a granite counter top but so far I had no luck. Also, as much as I've read, they are a bit hit or miss on the matter of flatness. Unless the varience is not important to us.
Getting a proper machinist granite block is out of the question due to the cost.

My question is, can I use ceramic glass (same material as the one we use for plattens) as a flat reference? I've found locally a guy which can give me some for pretty cheap.

I don't plan on making folders etc. Just scribbing reference lines.

Thank you in advance.
 
What would be an acceptable budget to you? Did you check the steel plates? You really won't regret buying one.

I think I have seen others use glass before.
 
10-15mm "float glass" plate glass is known to be very flat and much cheaper than the pyro-ceram type furnace glasses. Have the glazier "break" the edges so you don't slice yourself badly.

Caution: only drops once! :)
 
Yea they normally have a good selection of multiple usable sizes in the back of the big box stores near the doors.
 
I went to a glass shop a couple years ago and got a 12x17" plate for free because they wanted to get rid of it. It's only 1/4" but seems to be within .002, so it works for what I do. I heard 1/2" glass would be better, if you can get it.
 
Thank you guys, I will definately check these out!

J jiggyfly16 unfortunately that's not an option because I live in Greece.
 
For scribing reference lines? A veneer top or mdf board top works just fine as well. Any manufactured board would work.
 
My glass top adhered to MFD doubles as a surface I can spray glue sand paper onto for lapping things flat then I can just use a razor and acetone to quickly clean it up.
 
Go to a glass shop in your area and ask if you can have a scrap piece in their scrap pile. My family owns a Bodyshop and they regularly do business with a local glass shop here where I was able to dig through their pile and find a piece that was the size I wanted and they were even nice enough to cut it square and knock off the edges for me.
 
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