Stamping Stone?

[leatherpoker]

Hello everyone, I have a basic question, I think.

I only see Marble slabs sold at leather supply stores. Is this the best for stamping or does other stone ie: Granite work just as well?

Also would different thickness's make a difference? I have a beginers understanding of "hit something solid and something else has to give (leather)"

Do you artisans who know what you are doing have a preference?

thanks for your input

Rob

[ferret]

It's down to availability and what your wallet can stand. Granite tends to be a bit more expensive, but you may be able to get an offcut or broken piece cheap from a monumentl mason.

[tonyc1]

Hello everyone, I have a basic question, I think.

I only see Marble slabs sold at leather supply stores. Is this the best for stamping or does other stone ie: Granite work just as well?

Also would different thickness's make a difference? I have a beginers understanding of "hit something solid and something else has to give (leather)"

Do you artisans who know what you are doing have a preference?

thanks for your input

Rob

I got mine which is a terrazo slab used as hearths for heaters about 40 years ago and it was $3.00 as someone changed their mind after ordering it. Base is concrete and the top is polished granite chips and very, very smooth and solid!

Tony.

[Beaverslayer]

What I, and some others here have done, is go to a granite counter top store. Yjey always have a scrap pile out back, and they will usually let you rummage through it to find a piece of granite that they are just going to throw away.

I got a real nice piece for 2 cups of coffee and some donuts, which is pretty cheap. You can even check at the place that makes headstones, as they too will have scrap piles out back.

Granite is the better way to go, as marble is stromg but not as durable as granite.

Ken

[Myriam]

I have both and prefer the feel of the marble when I'm stamping. However, like Beaverslayer said, granite will be more durable.

[bcurrier]

What I, and some others here have done, is go to a granite counter top store. They always have a scrap pile out back, and they will usually let you rummage through it to find a piece of granite that they are just going to throw away.

...

Would that it was so! I stopped at one last weekend and asked, only to be informed that "they don't have scraps" - but would be happy to sell me a piece any sized I needed. And that was specifically in response to a question about sink cut-outs and other small off-cuts.

The interesting thing is that my wife and I are starting to redo our kitchen. That granite place has exactly ZERO chance of getting my business. It isn't that they owe me their scraps (which they do, of course have), rather it was the impression that they're out to squeeze - the impression coming from trying to profit from what they can't normally sell anyway.

Bill

[bruce johnson]

Another place to check is a local "Habitat for Humanity" outlet. They take in excess materials from construction, replaced cabinets, counters, appliances, etc. These donors can write off the value of the materials, and the tax break for them is better than letting it pile up. Our local outlet has a pile of granite pieces at $3/sq ft. Everything from sink cutouts to full countertops with a chunk broken off.

[Hilly]

Sometimes places like home building centers (Menards et al) have granite countertops that customers ordered, but changed their minds before taking delivery. I got an entire 7 foot granite counter top plus the sink cutout for $30. Also check their "scratch n dent" items. You might be suprised at what you find.

[whinewine]

I found mine on the street. A building was torn down & the granite rectangles were carted away. Two slabs had apparently been dropped & they were in several pieces, lying on the sidewalk. I took home several smaller pieces, the largest one being about 19" X 16". That one is my tooling slab. The largest one was much bigger- I couldn't even fit it into my car. It was there for about a week & finally disappeared one day.

[ETW Grumpy]

bcurrier, find another granite guy. I got a 12 x 24 piece that they cut to size and gave me a tour of their operation free for the asking.

leatherpoker, I have a marble from Tandy which is good, a granite counter top piece which, IMHO, is better, and a 12 x 24 tombstone that cost $55 that is flush mounted to my bench that I think is best. Price & availabilty and how dedicated you are to this hobby (substitute addiction or obsession here). If you don't want to sink a bunch of money, try the counter top option to start.