Is a B Grade Granite Surface Plate Worth It for Flattening Hand Plane Soles?
Asked by CraftyNinja27
I've been having a blast collecting and restoring vintage hand planes, and I'm considering whether a budget B grade granite surface plate would be a decent setup for flattening the soles. I know using it can give some issues when granules get on it, but I'm okay with that since I'm not spending a fortune on a higher-grade option. Should I look for glass or granite off-cuts instead? I checked local granite suppliers, but their materials come from downtown Houston, which is a bit of a trek for me. I'm also a little concerned about glass breaking when I handle it. By the way, I did find some small slabs nearby for $20-40, which seems promising!
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You could definitely glue sandpaper to MDF instead if you're looking for a simpler solution! It's flat enough for the job and a lot lighter.
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Honestly, as long as it's flat, go ahead and use it. No need to overthink it!
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A surface plate may be overkill for your needs, especially since a larger one can be quite pricey. Melamine would work just fine, or look for a tile or countertop offcut. There's a stone place nearby that sells remnants for cheap, or you might want to invest in a machined aluminum straight edge instead for better reference when checking flatness.
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HandiworkHero: True! Glass might also work for flattening, just be careful with it because it can break easily.