Perfectly flat steel plate

[ddran]

I've been trying out using a jig. My only problem is finding a flat plate or anything else that is solid. I've been using a scrap piece of steel from my local steel cutting place and it is not ideal, dips a little bit. I'm looking for a perfectly straight piece. please help I'm at whits end with this, The grind line has to be perfect, I can't stand it anymore, Iv'e even used a piece if wood. Where should I look, Is there a place online where I can find one? Thank you.

 

[Frank Niro]

Well , if you buy some precision ground you should be fine unless you bend it when shaping.
Frank

 

[JG Custom Metal Works]

I got a 12" x 12" 1/4" thick plate of mild steel from Lowes a while back. It was flat. I made some scandi grinding jigs with it(and angle iron) and it works great.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Granite surface blocks are cheap and absolutely flat.

 

[Ken H>]

Are you trying to find a flat plate to use for a tool rest while grinding on a 2X72" grinder?

 

[AVigil]

Where you live you should be able to find some tool steel that is precision ground like A2 or D2

Look for industrial supply like a Graingers or Fastenal

 

[P.Brewster]

A machine shop can face-mill, surface grind, or blanchard grind a piece of steel into flatness. Or you can configure your desired piece of flat steel here http://fawos.misumi-ec.com/automationmaterials/cadroot/MetalPlate.php

Cast and ground aluminum plate is commercially available too (e.g. Mic-6). https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?step=2&id=309

 

[Mahoney]

Like Stacy said, there are a lot of cheap import granite surface plates for sale at various machinists supply websites. If that's beyond the budget and it can be something other than metal, thick plate glass is usually pretty flat, polished marble or granite tiles are another possibility.

 

[elementfe]

One thing I think of when troubleshooting something like this is, if the back of your knife is resting on the tool rest while you drag the knife across the belt, any irregularity of the spine can be reflected in the grind line.
You've probably thought of that, just one thing to check...