Vacuum Table

[jwa1156]

General Question
just purchased an aluminum vacuum table for my desk top
Have removed the MDF and the Vacuum table is attached diretly to the aluminum base of the desktop
The vacuum table was machined flat both sides,
do I need to run a surfacing file to this now?
Thanks

[gpinard]

Hi Jerry
When you say the vacuum table you purchased was machined flat both sides. I assume you are saying the two sides are trued up to be parallel. Given that it would be as true as the Desktop table. My Desktop table was within spec, according to Shopbot, but was not close to parallel with the spindle. I checked mine from a bit in the spindle to the aluminum table surface with an inside micrometer. All four corners were different, as much as .025. I was able to loosen the table mounting and adjust it to within a few thousandths. I was unwilling to attempt surfacing the table as I am new, but I am thinking the table is also bigger than the travel of the machine, so you end up with a lip around what you can surface. Not sure how folks deal with this.