DWfromUK
06-01-2007, 02:31 PM
I've had my 3650 up and running about 2 weeks. The throat plate was dished in the middle by about 25 thou. So I decided to see if I could flatten it and reduce the cup.
It was quite simple really:
First: put the plate on a flat level surface, face side down, and used a G clamp to squeeze down the lowest point of the cup. This helped, but not good enough.
Second: Placed thin wooden shims (shims were about as long as the plate is wide, and themselves 3/4 in wide and about 1 mm thick) at each end under the allen key screws and again used the G clamps to squeeze the lowest point of the cup down. When I released the clamps, the plate has some spring and returns a little to its original shape, but retains much of the corrective bend. This was pretty good, but I figured, I could get better. About 6 thou out now.
Third: I fine tunned. Taking the plate back to the TS and using a straight edge to mark where it was still cupped. Then back to the flat bench I used shims and the clamps to fine tune. I ended up using two shims in thickness at each end, and 1 shim along one of the edges, using a clamp in the center (of both width and length) of the plate. Its now 2 thou cupped at the lowest point (checked with a feeler guage under a straight edge).
I'm really pleased with this result. I'm also pleased I have something to contribute after asking a several questions over the past few weeks and getting really helpful answers.
BTW My Freud blades arrived yesterday and I installed the ripping blade this AM and love the results. Thanks for the blade suggestions. I'll be making cutting boards in a few days!! I also ordered a ZC plate which should arrive soon.
It was quite simple really:
First: put the plate on a flat level surface, face side down, and used a G clamp to squeeze down the lowest point of the cup. This helped, but not good enough.
Second: Placed thin wooden shims (shims were about as long as the plate is wide, and themselves 3/4 in wide and about 1 mm thick) at each end under the allen key screws and again used the G clamps to squeeze the lowest point of the cup down. When I released the clamps, the plate has some spring and returns a little to its original shape, but retains much of the corrective bend. This was pretty good, but I figured, I could get better. About 6 thou out now.
Third: I fine tunned. Taking the plate back to the TS and using a straight edge to mark where it was still cupped. Then back to the flat bench I used shims and the clamps to fine tune. I ended up using two shims in thickness at each end, and 1 shim along one of the edges, using a clamp in the center (of both width and length) of the plate. Its now 2 thou cupped at the lowest point (checked with a feeler guage under a straight edge).
I'm really pleased with this result. I'm also pleased I have something to contribute after asking a several questions over the past few weeks and getting really helpful answers.
BTW My Freud blades arrived yesterday and I installed the ripping blade this AM and love the results. Thanks for the blade suggestions. I'll be making cutting boards in a few days!! I also ordered a ZC plate which should arrive soon.