Measuring a complex part without a surface plate

[TomG]

Darren,

You can use any flat surface as a reference for part inspection, but keep in mind that if the base of your height gage or surface gage is sitting on even a small nick or bow in that surface, it may have a significant effect on the accuracy of your measurements. That mill table may seem flat, but compared to a surface plate that is flat to millionths of an inch, it may be more like the Rocky Mountains (or something equivalent down there).

I use a small 12" x 18" granite plate and it serves most of my needs. A plate like that would fit very well in a small suitcase.

Tom