Replies

1. 
   yotonyb | Apr 01, 2004 12:22am | #1

   You're looking for something called "float glass."  A Google search for "float glass" provides a wealth of information regarding the manufacturing, superior quality, and availability of this product.

   Good luck and good skill!

   tony b.

2. 
   BG | Apr 01, 2004 12:28am | #2

   Bake,

   I hit the dumpster at my local granite counter maker....tons of nice scraps.
1. 
   Dave45 | Apr 01, 2004 12:37am | #3

   I use a 8"x12" piece of scrap solid surface material left over from our shower.  Seems to work great for touching up edged tools.

1. 
   BG | Apr 01, 2004 12:50am | #4

   Dave,

   The problem with the dumpster diving is I keep going back...2- 4x36" pieces, 2 -12x22" pieces and 2- 12x12 pieces.  Now I'm using waterstones almost exclusively...lol     but they are great for sole flatening and bringing an old plane back form the dead pile.

3. 
   CharlieD | Apr 01, 2004 01:40am | #5

   I'm using granite floor tile. $2.99 at the local home center. Bought one for each grit. Just lay 'em out and go. ANd Rob Millard told me he uses a piece of hard maple with diamond paste on it for touch up; brilliant. Just keep it flat with your plane. Haven't tried it yet, but I can't wait.

   Charlie

   I tell you, we are here to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different. --K Vonnegut
4. 
   Alan | Apr 01, 2004 02:08am | #6

   Eric,

   I went to my local, friendly glazier and asked to pick in their scrap barrel.  I found a nice piece of 3/8" tempered glass that's about 10"x30."  They even ground the edges for me.  Cost?  Less than five dollars.

   Alan

1. 
   WayneL5 | Apr 01, 2004 02:41am | #7

   Tempered glass may not be as flat as untempered float glass.  The tempering process can introduce a slight distortion.

1. 
   Alan | Apr 02, 2004 01:09am | #11

   WAYNEL5,

   My piece of plate glass may not be perfectly flat--but it's plenty flat enough.  Only because we can, we often carry things much too far.

   Woodworkers have been able to produce masterpieces of their craft for thousands of years before the advent of plate glass, float glass, concrete blocks, marble floor tiles, Starrett straight edges, and granite slabs.  I wonder how they did it?

   Alan

5. 
   robert1 | Apr 01, 2004 02:57am | #8

   Lee Valley has a glass lapping plate for $9.95. I have this item and it works well for me.

1. 
   PlaneWood | Apr 01, 2004 07:26pm | #9

   I use plates of 1/4" aircraft aluminum that I bought off of eBay. 

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

6. 
   Bill5507 | Apr 01, 2004 08:12pm | #10

   I use regular 3/8 glass from my local glass place and have not had any problems.