Stamping Stone?

[BarryKing]

www.use-enco.com Here is another source for a suface plate I ordered a 24 x 36 with stand and received the next day.

This IS the place to get the granite stones. Just get a grade B surface plate(that is the corrrect term). They are cheap from here and just as good as anywhere else. The thicker the better. I used to have a 2" thick one, moved to a 3", even better. The outside dimension also determines the thickness you may get. I also have a 24 X 36 X 4" thick, man you don't get any vibration out of this. Takes at least 4 men to move it though(490 lbs).

Some say granite is not the right stone to use because it is harder than steel and will mess your tools up. But, if you hit any tool into any stone it will mess it up, no matter the substance.

Enco also has the granite plates on sale right now. I believe they can UPS up to the 12X18X2" thick, then it gets trucked after that. Thats where its going to cost you.

[bcurrier]

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.

Hmmm - tried a local monument place. He was "willing" to sell me cutoffs, mistake pieces, and tombstone blanks for more than I can get a new surface plate! He had a scrap piece of silestone (manmade quartz/resin composite) that gave me pause. He said it's actually harder to break than granite. I'd want to look into that first, though.

Bill

[particle]

Maybe this is a silly question - but what is wrong with concrete? A guy on a budget could take some scrap pieces of wood, build a box to the desired dimensions, and pour his own slab. If it chips, it's easy enough to replace, and you could pour an entire counter top to your exact dimensions for about the price of a couple pizzas! Bad idea?

[BarryKing]

Maybe this is a silly question - but what is wrong with concrete? A guy on a budget could take some scrap pieces of wood, build a box to the desired dimensions, and pour his own slab. If it chips, it's easy enough to replace, and you could pour an entire counter top to your exact dimensions for about the price of a couple pizzas! Bad idea?

Never tried that. Have a friend that makes concrete counter tops, it sounds like a good idea if a guy gets it smooth and polished nicely. I would like to know how it works if someone tries it, it should work great.

[Beaverslayer]

The man that taught me how to carve and tool used a sidewalk block made from concrete, the one that's two feet square. He glued a layer of flooring linoleum onto it and it worked real well. He said he liked it better than granite or marble as there was no "pinging" noise from it when you were working. The linoleum that was on top worked real well if your tool slipped when working close to the edge of the leather, it would just bounce off the linoleum and not get damaged.

Ken

[leatherpoker]

Thanks to everyone regarding my question about stamping stones. I have been able to pick up an 18" x 18" x 3.5" sawcut slab of granite. (almost perfectly smooth! already) I have a line on polishing equipment to borrow so should be able to "shine" up one side.

I just returned from a road trip from Vancouver, BC to Milwaukee, Wi through the states and unfourtunatley Sheridan Wyoming was closed when I went through, was able to peek in the windows of "King's Saddelry" and other establishments to see some of the fine work and antique saddles. WOW I could spend a week there! and will soon!

R

[barra]

A friend could only get a 1" thick marble slab and wanted it thicker. He then embedded the thin marble in a thick slab of concrete that is mounted in his bench. He says it is very solid and works fine.

Barra

Edited April 30, 2008 by barra

[carr52]

I got a sink cut out from a counter top maker for free. 1 1/4" granite works great.

[SaddleRider]

Just in case any of you folks are in need of a granite slab and you happen to live in the south eastern Texas area, one of the local funeral homes in my area has a massive stockpile of granite stones they are trying to get rid of. They just want rid of them, so they are giving them away at no charge.

They will not ship them period, due to the cost issue. If you plan to drive down to say Houston, its only about another hour south to their location.

I got a 4 1/2" (H) x 12 1/2" (W) x 36 1/2" (L) polished top granite headstone base for myself free of charge (well other than the gas I ran out going to get it). The area they have the stock is about 10' wide by about 40' long, so if you need one and you are willing to drive to get it, they got plenty to choose from and they are neatly stacked so you can pretty much look them over to find the one you want.

If interested, let me know and I'll send you the info.