Budget 4x5 darkroom setup starting with a $200 Beseler Enlarger.

[John Kasaian]

A good stable surface is important. Look for two identical used two drawer filing cabinets---old school ones, not the current flimsy ones being sold---and set a surplus solid core exterior door across for the top.
You can run your enlarger's power cord through the doorknob cut out, and the cabinet drawers will provide you with storage.

[Tin Can]

Keep the granate plate safe and NOT in DR

Very useful

All I have is 36" and 12" Starrett straight edges

Used them daily for work

but it was cheaper to give them away than have them recertified

and never bring them back inside factory

we once got an engine without title

I had to get it off property yesterday asap

The granite is interesting though. I have an 18x24 granite surface plate and I'm not opposed to making my darkroom shed in to my inspection shed also. It would keep me from using it as a shop table any way...

[MILC Toast]

Why not in the dark room?

For further information, I think it's a Chinese Grade B surface plate bought from a tool supply company that I think got bought by another. I think I paid about $50 but that was nearly 20 years ago.

I haven't used it much so I'm sure it's still "flat" but whatever certification it had is probably expired.

[MILC Toast]

Rutland Tool I think it was. I also got a pile of Chinese stainless steel vernier calipers for $0.97 each. They had some great deals on import stuff that was actually pretty useable.