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Product Brand New BusyBee surface plate with a scratch/gouge in it

Product
C

calgaryguy

Chris
First time granite surface plate buyer here. BusyBee is always out of stock on their B grade 12x18 surface plates, so I put in a backorder request in july for one. The surface plate came in last week and I picked it up today.

The plate finished surface has a 8" long scratch/gouge in it. Easily catches a fingermail, and I'd guess .005-.010 deep at it worst spot. Part of me wants to take it right back to BB and demand another, and part of me doesnt want the hassle of waiting months again. I suspect the scratch wont affect my use of the plate much, but.... So what would you gents do in my shoes?

The pics below were taken 2 minutes after I removed the top from the small crate it was packaged in.

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it's fine. scratches do not affect accuracy on a surface plate unless it is worn heavily.

[update] I have 2 of these. they are very good value.
 
Really up to you. Maybe more out of principle. I guess technically a scratch in granite should not cause a raised surface or burr like metal & not adversely affect a reading assuming the gauge slides over & bridges the trough. OTOH depending on depth might collect tiny dust debris? Damage is never nice especially on something reserved for precision work. I prefer to inflict it myself rather than others LOL

I've noticed BB is perpetually out of stock, despite the regular discount flyers. Maybe contact DMH in Calgary, they can access the same thing (offshore) for about same price, at least when I called. Possibly a few other different flavors like ledge style. Being local you pick up & don't have to incur the shipping charge from a KBC or whatever. Thomas Skinner might be another option but they might start at slightly higher grade, not sure.

BTW my friend has some uber-precision equipment & measured his BB for kicks. It was very good, well within stated spec. Now his Tuesday block may not be like your Friday block. The Lee Valley one didn't fair as well, but same caveat applies.
 
Dabbler said:
it's fine. scratches do not affect accuracy on a surface plate unless it is worn heavily.

[update] I have 2 of these. they are very good value.
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That was my understanding (small-ish scratch/gouge wont really affect much). I mean these surface plates are quite inexpensive for what you get. The scratch to me is more as another poster above said 'an annoyance' (the disappointment of opening up something brand new and it not being essentially perfect).

The BB staff told me they are regularly out of these surface plates as they have a customer who buys them to make head stones/grave markers out of. Apparently this customer backorders a couple dozen at a time.
 
I dunno. I've had 3 seperate people at BB in Calgary tell me the same story about the surface plates on different occasions. Maybe its their own urban myth?
 
calgaryguy said:
The pics below were taken 2 minutes after I removed the top from the small crate it was packaged in.
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I agree with others. It will work fine as is.

Why don't you contact busy bee and tell them you want a damaged goods discount or that you want to keep it till they send you a new one?
 
calgaryguy said:
This is kinda what I was thinking I might do. Then again, its kind of a hassle IMO.
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Make the hassle theirs...you keep the plate until you have the replacement shipped and in your hands, and if they want the other one back, they can pay return shipping.
 
Janger said:
Headstones? A surface plate is a inexpensive source of granite? That’s a weird story.
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Ya, especially advance/multiple orders. Even if the size was convenient, one would guess the local countertop suppliers would cut them as many as they need for lower cost than BB surface plates. Maybe they are finicky about color consistency. Still?
 

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I'd return it. Its new and shouldn't arrive like that....crappy QC won't get better if we accept it.

It won't affect the accuracy, but if big enough I can see possibly affecting use if its bit enough to harbour dust and debris.
The BB staff told me they are regularly out of these surface plates as they have a customer who buys them to make head stones/grave markers out of. Apparently this customer backorders a couple dozen at a time.
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Wow, That is surprising. The monument industry has been caught flat footed. Or flat headstoned.
 
Ask who the headstone maker is maybe you could swap Or do what the Scot did for his worn stoop flip it over.
 
I'm going to comment on how I see things, BB is like any other retailer and is at the mercy of their suppliers. Quality control over all is good, but even then sometimes mistakes slip through or damage occurs on route to the final destination.

I find that most retailers (BB included), respond well to a humble and well document request of resolution, in most cases going beyond what is required. Approach negatively, and well you get what you desire a negative reponse.

So IMHO yes I would address the issue of the scratch it is a surface plate after all and depending on current (or future) usage it could effect it negatively. Before worrying about to outcome contact BB and ask them for their solution explaining your problem.

Give them a chance to address the issue for the best of both of you before acting out negatively.
 
Took the Surface Plate (SP) back to BB today. The gent thats often at the 'machinists' area counter was super helpful (white hair and goatee, glasses). The 'assistant manager' (AM) was, unfortunately, completely and utterly useless. A complete dullard.

They dont have any additional surface plates in stock to exchange, and the ones coming in right away are spoken for by others. The gent from the 'machinists desk' suggested to the AM that the AM call 'someone' (I assume head office) and ask if I can get a discount/credit on my purchase, and said it 4 times to the AM. The AM then proceeded to issue me a full refund and blankly stared at me when I said 'ok, so what about a replacement'. He couldnt grasp why I just returned the one SP and now wanted another. Finally at the prompting of the machinists desk gent the assistant manager called <assuming head office> and he offered me a 10% discount.

Now I get that they dont have alot of margin on these things, but I probably spent 4-5 bucks in gas alone to drive teh 40 KMs round trip. I was kinda insulted by the $8.99 discount and already annoyed by the assistant manager's complete and utter lack of the most basic of communication/comprehension. I said 'no thanks, when can I get another one'. So now I'm back on the waiting list.

How this complete numpty became 'assistant manager' is beyond me. Given his dull look on his face and lack of understanding of even the most basics of communication I wouldnt employ him to unload trucks in a warehouse... Sorry if that sounds harsh, but geez, wtf. I usually deal with 'Bev' at the BB Calgary counter as I'm an acquaintance of her Husbands, but she wasnt in today. ;(
 
I think all the stores just got a shipment from China. The helpful gent at BB today checked the computer and even went into teh warehouse to look to confirm they had nothing.

It does add credence to the 'headstones' story draining Calgary IMO.
 
calgaryguy said:
I think all the stores just got a shipment from China. The helpful gent at BB today checked the computer and even went into teh warehouse to look to confirm they had nothing.

It does add credence to the 'headstones' story draining Calgary IMO.
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You should phone Edmonton and confirm they have stock. If they do, then pressure BB to move (a good) one to Calgary for you.
 
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