I have no idea if this would work well or not. I am looking at using a "Granite Inspection Plate" as the base of a desktop mill. From what I understand, they are typically flat to 0.0005"(for the lowest/cheapest Grade "B" plates") and resist thermal expansion, rust, etc.. And they are cheap (~$100).
I have some concerns tho-
#1) How to mount to it? If the plate is 3 or 4 inches thick, I do not think there are drills to drill granite that deep. It would be possible to drill only 1" deep or so and insert threaded inserts that lock into place.. but any granite drill bits are expensive and a PITA to use from what I hear (I would need about 30 mounting holes in it).
Another option would be to bond (yes- GLUE.. Epoxy!) a plate of Mic6 aluminum plate (24" x 8" x 1") to the granite surface and drill/tap/mount my rails, motors, screws, etc to that aluminum plate. Again, no idea if this would work well or not. Anyone have any experience with bonding aluminum to granite? Needs to be a permanent bond and resist things like coolant, some heat, and forces in every direction. I would imagine a product like LocTite Hysol 9430 doing the job.
Concern #2) How well the granite would absorb vibrations? I have only run small desktop mills that are made of aluminum, and it squeals+howls when doing any amount of "work". I know Iron is the "best" material to construct for a mill due to its absorption characteristics, but getting any "ready-to-use" Iron is not easy or cheap. Granite is dense, but so is steel and steel does not absorb very well. I don't know...
Lastly, not having to do with granite directly, is the use of one of those "Right angle Irons" as the Z axis column. I have seen them in the 8"x10"x16" size range, ground to 0.0005" square over 6". Again, somewhat cheap ($200) for a decent looking chunk of somewhat square cast Iron.
I plan to use ball linear ways (already have them) ballscrews (don't have them yet) and 300oz/in servos (already have them) in a configuration something like this (image from minitechCNC): http://www.minitechcnc.com/VMTT1.jpg
Any input? Am I crazy?
Thanks