Tips for making things square/flat?

[Gilbert M]

Here's something I made that works well for scales on the disc grinder. One of my local steel yards has a scrap aluminum area perfect for these projects. Four tapped 1/4 -20 holes, 4 slots and 4 carbide strips (I think from eBay they were cheap). Then I usually use precision blocks to adjust the size in your case some shims for a taper.

 

[Hubert S.]

Yeah, a surface grinder attachment is very high on my wish list right now.

Another tool that's definitely on my short list.

If you get a milling machine, you can use it to build a surface grinding attachment for not too much extra money...

 

[Lorien]

Have a drill press? An end mill?
Dangerous as all get out.

been there done that

 

[C_Claycomb]

Interesting discussion. i once made something like GilberM’s jig but for use with glass and sandpaper strips.
Do you think a router and router sled would work for the thinning part of the operation? Wood workers need to make all sorts if wood flat, to size and parallel. They tend to use thickness gauges to mark the edges, then work down to the gauge line. Holding thin wood might be done with an MDF backing board, two opposing layers of blue painters tape and some dabs of cyano glue between the tape.

 

[Alex Topfer]

For frame handles i usually attach the frame to one scale, and use that as a way to hold the frame while i get it down to the thickness i want. Means more time waiting for glue to cure but makes it easier to handle the frame and stops it twisting while you're working on it.