Block girdles, yay or nay
Hughes sells parts and machining services. Not surprising that they recommend them. I believe that the SBM uses 1/2" mains bolts and the competition are smaller? So maybe not as significant a need for reinforcement? I can see the potential for added stability but I have no idea at what HP level it would become needed. Is a 1/4" thick plate really strong enough? I bet you would be surprised how much deflection can be induced, even into the flat plane. I think if I went to the trouble, I'd be using thicker plate or something that had ribs for additional beam strength.
