Posted by the artfull-codger on 19/02/2020 19:47:44:
I have a smaller one but not a Keats, it does the job but genuine keats are real quality.
Graham.
I have an Asian "Keats" type plate that I purchased some time ago from one of the better known suppliers. It was to work on a small run of parts where I needed repeatable setting and used straight out the box. After the job, it got put away and (as it happened) I didn't use it again until late last year.
This time I needed to turn the bridge clamp over to increase it's holding diameter and was puzzled as to why I couldn't get the bolts back in. Turned out both bolts had been through drilled (and tapped) at about 5 degrees off upright and that the bridge casting had also been machined well off centre too.
Looking at it now, I can't understand why I didn't spot this on first use but I didn't. It's on the TUIT list. I will drill the clamp holes true and re-tap them a larger size, replacing the bolts. The bridge will also need to be squared up – a shaper job for this coming Summer when it's warmer. The base seems OK but I will also check that too.
So, morale of the story – check tools carefully on receipt and don't just assume they are right….mostly they are but not always…
Regards,
IanT