Milliken Machine Co used by a Machinist

[swervncarz]

This came home with me from a sale at a local estate of a machinist. Just a flat steel raised platform, measures 11-3/4" x 6". Marked Milliken Machine Co on bottom. I see Milliken Machine was in West Newton MA. What is this & what would one use it for?

[oldgoaly]

a surface plate
less accurate than the granite slabs but plenty good for most measuring jobs.

[lptools]

Hello, Swervncarz. Looks like a cast iron surface plate, or inspection plate. From a Brown & Sharpe catalog; "Brown & Sharpe Surface Plates provide accurate surfaces for tool making, inspection & testing services". Similar working plates also made from granite.


Regards, Lou P.S. As a woodworker, I  would use it as a flattening plate for plane soles, and plane irons.

[swervncarz]

Thanks, the amount of knowledge here at Papawswrench always amazes me!

[oldgoaly]

As heavy as it is it's more portable than granite! I've got a chunk of pink granite with a custom wood enclosure that I got for 40$. The place I got it from got a 8' by 20' black granite cheap from Boeing. We had an ice storm a couple of days before and carrying it to the van was slow and slipery. It's easier to carry the parts you need to check than move a chunk of granite!

[turnnut]

 yes, and using one helps prevent measurement errors that you may get on an uneven bench surface.

   very useful using a height gauge.

[Catch22!]

Also really good for smoothing a surface.  I use one for automotive things like valve covers, oil pump covers and any surface I need perfectly flat.   Just put a piece of sandpaper on the plate and sand the piece rotating it 1/4 turn each time.