I think the seperate plates are m uch better.Ok I think I'm gonna get the top plate holes done by laser I have a few questions though what's to stop pins from falling through I take it you just clamp them in place with whatever project your working on. Also is there much point getting a pattern done like this.
you are obviously in disbelief which doesn't concern me ,I used to do this successfully for a living, end of.
No, Nothing has ever been made to a tight tolerance in the history of mankind before CNC, giveover.
IScriber's can be very accurate if used correctly. We had all sorts of measuring aids from precision rules to set distance pieces. we also had a giant mill/drill that ran on tracks and tools that had been made for the job like a kind of vernier that located on pre-set dowels, we had several of these the biggest of which was about 10m long.
Hi Dave
I'd recommend you use the thickest possible plate for your table top or table slats. If you do decide to have the plates laser profiled, there are local suppliers who'll comfortably profile 15 or 20 mm thick plate. Thicker plate often comes in from the mill in a flatter condition, is much stiffer when under load as you handle and work with parts, albeit obviously heavier. You're sketch above looks good. If you fancy a go on CAD, try Onshape; you can very easily export files from it in a format that the laser profilers can take directly. You won't go far wrong at all with Hutchinson Engineering in Kilrea.
Good luck in all your efforts there,
Michael
With the overhead crane, I would have said their was a couple of ton in it.A 10m Vernier, how did you even lift the thing? The 40" mitutoyo at work weighs enough.