I cut and varnished the top plate. The picture is the bottom side of the top plate. The top is just flat.
The three big pockets are just to reduce the weight and create a hand hold. The mitered the edges make it more comfortable to hold. The little pockets allow wires inside the Makerslide to flip over the top and run back down a channel. The big round groove was a last minute idea that would allow me to install an acrylic panel if I decide to use one.
Everything is now wired except for the heated bed. A last minute snafu got it sent to an new anodizer who messed up. I get the raw plate back tomorrow and I need to decide what I am going to do about the bed.
I only spent about 30 seconds sanding this to get the wood bunnies off since this is really not visible.
Large Pocket: 0.50 diameter straight flute, 0.40 Deep Single Pass, 50 ipm
Miter: 0.50 diameter 45 deg bit, 0.20 deep single pass, 60 ipm
Everything else: 1/8 diameter 2 flute straight bit, 0.15 per pass, 40-60 ipm.
Total time: About 30 minutes with tool changes.
Varnish: 3 coats Minwax, Gloss water based.