Floor plate not quite flush

[Richard Flanders]

Non flush floorplates are a PITA Jack. I find it's mostly from improper removal, prying under the edges with a screwdriver or driving a punch down between the tables without removing all the floorplate screws and warping the plate. The floorplates aren't so hard that the can't be flattened again. I lay them on a thick flat block of aluminum, or bridge them between two blocks, and use a small leather or plastic hammer to gently bend areas that are warped. You can use a small metal straight edge and the surface of the block to gage for flatness where you perceive a problem and gently tap where appropriate to get it back to where it should be. Sounds like you've inspected it carefully for burrs. Once they're cleaned up you should be able to get it seating flat again. Just be cautious.

[TARNATION !!!]

Richard: I recall a post from a couple years back where you mentioned lead and aluminum so I went to the metal recycler here and had them cut me a good chunk of lead and they had some nice flat aluminum blocks. So I have had those sitting on the bench for a while now. I keep looking at them and if your experience says it can be done, then so be it.

Lee: In my pre-"rat poison" life, I would certainly have hoisted a single malt and left the PITA for another day. Now I just leave it for another day and pour Kay any beverage she choses (My stash of SM's is in no danger from her. Her Dad, well that's another story. They're his if need be. I figure he gave lots as a WWII vet and consenting to "give" his daughter's hand to me some 40 years ago)

Funny that PITA was used in the post today. While on the dog hike I thought about PETA and wondered just how soon any of us might convert a vegetarian if we were stranded together in a less than hospitable environment with "rescue" not an early option.

Cheers,
Jack