ATM Tool Thickness for Ring Polisher

[Bill Marriott <btk@pacbell.net>]

Hey Folks;

I have a question for any of you material experts out there.

I am setting up an 18" ring polisher (sometimes called continuos
polisher) to try to improve the ease of getting things really flat
(ellipticals, flats, etc).

I have access to 18" diameter aluminum plates, 1.25" thick. (thanks for
whom ever posted the URL http://www.sandsmachine.com/alumweb.htm)

Now, for a 18" pitch lap, the 1.25" thickness seems a little thin, as
far as being stiff enough to keep the pitch lap flat, when work pieces
and conditioner are running on it. 

Now if I had two of them, we'd have 2.5" thick, which seems better, but
what would be the best way to affix them to each other, to provide the
stiffness needed

Bolt (lots of, in some kind of order), epoxy, weld?

Or would I be better served in getting a piece of cast iron or steel at
a given thickness (1.5"?)

Any comments would be greatly appreciated

Bill
--
Bill Marriott
btk@pacbell.net
http://www.starlightoptical.com
telescope/optical stuff