bikermutt07 Report post Posted January 8, 2018 Anyone passing through the arklatex area can hit me up. I have pieces in the back yard. 3cm x different lengths and widths. Just let me know. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JMcC Report post Posted January 8, 2018 11 hours ago, JugHead said: I know this is an old post but I think it needs to be revived for the new leather crafters like myself lol. I just purchased a 9"x12"x3" granite slab from grizzly.com for only $35.95 and shipping is only &9.99 anywhere in the USA I believe. I know someone mentioned it earlier but I can't see it because I'm on mobile. I went to a flooring and countertop business here in town and bought a scrap piece of granite for around 8 bucks. They didn't have to cut it, so no extra charge for cutting. I was lucky as it was already a useable size (1 1/2" x 15' x 22') Check to see if anyone in your area that does that kind of work has any scraps that they would sell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Justthinking Report post Posted January 9, 2018 On 6/30/2011 at 5:02 PM, marblesturk said: we are happy to know that you are dealing in stones. We have five big factories in Turkey. We are basic manufacturers and suppliers of all marble, granite,onyx,travertine and limestones tiles and blocks with high quality and very cheap prices. We can give you delivery till your warehouse. Best Regards Bahadir Eryigit http://www.marblesturk.com info@marblesturk.com Tel : +90 532 672 77 99 : + 90 242 247 81 56 You are by the “Marble Sea.” Marmara, I loved my trip there. Great people and beautiful country. I was so sorry when you folks had that bad earthquake. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JMcC Report post Posted January 9, 2018 18 hours ago, JMcC said: I went to a flooring and countertop business here in town and bought a scrap piece of granite for around 8 bucks. They didn't have to cut it, so no extra charge for cutting. I was lucky as it was already a useable size (1 1/2" x 15' x 22') Check to see if anyone in your area that does that kind of work has any scraps that they would sell. *Correction - 1 1/2"x15"x22" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted January 9, 2018 I work for a flooring store that does granite countertops. These places have scraps running out of their ears. Anything too small to make a vanity top is what you want to asked for. There are lots of pieces left over that are 12" to 20" wide that just aren't good for anything. These width pieces are generally pretty long and would be great for a long tooling station for belts. When you go in ask about them. And be willing to offer a little money (there is literally a ton of waste in this industry). Tell them what you are using it for and you will remember them in the future for your needs at the house. Also, some granite is more dense than others. Avoid pieces with lots of veins. I like the black stuff. If you tap on it with something metal it "tink" like a porcelain plate. That is the dense stuff. If it thuds, move along. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrimR Report post Posted January 11, 2018 Like a couple of others I wanted a granite slab. On th way back from a music lesson I spied a Kitchen worktop designer who specialised in granite work tops, went in and said what I was after, "yep, come out to the skip" got a piece about 7" x 14' for nothing! They were going to throw it way, loads more in there. But like some of the other ideas above. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
utah leather Report post Posted January 20, 2018 On 8/11/2010 at 6:37 AM, Thumper said: Good Morning, I'm looking for a more affordable way to get 2 of the 1-1/2" thick slabs of marble or granite for doing my tooling. Right now, all I have is a large piece of corian and it's loud when tooling. My daughter has taken off on leather work now and I need to get her one as well, so now I'm trying to find an affordable way to get 2 piece of stone to tool leather on top of. Tandy get $40 per sq ft for the slabs and I know that St. Louis Leather gets like $20 each for marble slab...but shipping would bring it up to what Tandy is charging. My daughter and I are getting started in this and trying to keep our costs low...so I'm trying to be frugal with what we have and trying to find resources where we can for the items we need. Is there an alternative to the 1-1/2" slabs? What do you use if you don't use a slab to tool/carve on? This fall, we hope to have a dedicated part of my shop for just doing leather work and upholstery. So a work area will be great, but I just gotta get the money together to buy materials to finish the room in my shop for the leather/upholstery part of the shop. I guess I've rambled on long enough. If you can help with advice or pointers, I'd greatly appreciate it. go to the granite stores and ask for a some pieces that they are throwing away, they will give them to you for free instead of having to mess with them. I work gor a granite company in west jordan, Utah and we do this if you go to the front desk and ask about it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted January 20, 2018 I get mine out of the dumpster behind counter top shops...with permission... often they think the use is cool they will give me a nice big square thick left over no charge. I have several and haven't paid a dime for them... the best one came 50 feet from the Tandy shop that wanted stupid bucks for 12x12.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuttish Report post Posted January 31, 2018 One option for a very thick piece of granite you can whack on that 's also smooth enough to skive on without significantly damaging the tip of your knife is a granite surface plate for a machine shop. The best plate to get them is at an industrial auction. I've gotten nice Starrett and Brown & Sharpe ones for less than $50. You can also find big dinged up ones on eBay that are no longer useful in a machine shop but are suitable for your purposes. They'll cost a fortune to ship, but local pickup makes them worth the trouble. You'll never go back to working on any other surface. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted January 31, 2018 I was not willing to pay what Tandy was asking for their slabs, so I went to Home Depot and bought a 12x12x 3/16" granite floor tile. It works just great for tooling, and if it ever breaks, it's only about $10.00 to replace it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted February 1, 2018 About once a year we set a bunch of granite scrap next to the street. You'd be amazed at how many people need granite once it's free. I always call the staff down at Tandy to let them know. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JMixx Report post Posted February 14, 2018 Drat! I don't know whether it's a geographic thing, but I just got back from the Lowe's in my area. When I explained what I was looking for, they first looked at me as if I'd grown a second head (I didn't, did I?), and then showed me what they have: marble tiles of about 3" X 5" X 1/2". Back to the drawing board...er, hammering board? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted February 14, 2018 42 minutes ago, JMixx said: Drat! I don't know whether it's a geographic thing, but I just got back from the Lowe's in my area. When I explained what I was looking for, they first looked at me as if I'd grown a second head (I didn't, did I?), and then showed me what they have: marble tiles of about 3" X 5" X 1/2". Back to the drawing board...er, hammering board? Just go to a granite shop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
utah leather Report post Posted February 14, 2018 1 hour ago, JMixx said: Drat! I don't know whether it's a geographic thing, but I just got back from the Lowe's in my area. When I explained what I was looking for, they first looked at me as if I'd grown a second head (I didn't, did I?), and then showed me what they have: marble tiles of about 3" X 5" X 1/2". Back to the drawing board...er, hammering board? look up granite shops or retailers and call them Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JMixx Report post Posted February 14, 2018 (edited) Yeah, I may have to try a number of different places around here before I find what I'm looking for. I figured since Lowe's installs granite countertops, they might have scraps. Oh well--there are several other places I can try. Wish I lived closer to Ark/LA/TX. Thanks, guys! Edited February 14, 2018 by JMixx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted February 14, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, JMixx said: Yeah, I may have to try a number of different places around here before I find what I'm looking for. I figured since Lowe's installs granite countertops, they might have scraps. Oh well--there are several other places I can try. Wish I lived closer to Ark/LA/TX. Thanks, guys! That's what general folk would think. Any kind of installation from the big box stores is all done by subcontractors. They don't actually do any of the work. People think because they are a national size company that they must be the place to go. The harsh reality (that too many people find out too late) is that time and money is wasted on them. Folks are better off going to a family owned store that specializes in their needs. Sorry for the rant, but I've seen too many people live the horror story. Edited February 14, 2018 by bikermutt07 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JMixx Report post Posted February 14, 2018 No worries! I'm open to any "rant" that may save me hundreds of $ at some point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted February 14, 2018 (edited) I can't see a store of this type (Rona, Lowe's, Home Depot) NOT selling these tiles! And I really don't think the tiles have to be an inch thick in order to be useful for leather work. Edited February 14, 2018 by Sheilajeanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted February 14, 2018 (edited) Lowe's only has marble tiles, but HD has both, at least in my neck of the woods. Personally, I'd go with the granite, as marble is a much softer stone, and could chip or break. https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.absolute-nero-12-inch-x-12-inch-polished-granite.1000488451.html https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.12-inch-x-12-inch-arctic-marble-5-sqftcase.1001007201.html https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.12-inch-x-24-inch-arctic-marble-8-sqftcase.1001006813.html A search of the Lowe's U.S. website turned up this: https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=granite+floor+tiles So, they do sell them, and either your clerk wasn't knowledgeable, or the store just doesn't stock them. If you want a thicker, bigger slab, I'd ask them who their contractors are for installation of sinks and counter tops, and see if you can get scrap from them. The cutout for a sink would make a really nice leather tooling slab! Edited February 14, 2018 by Sheilajeanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bermudahwin Report post Posted February 14, 2018 I went to a funeral mason and asked for an off cut from a memorial. I have a lovely polished black marble 12 inches square by 2 or so inches deep, and it will last a lifetime. The owner was intrigued as to the use and gave a great discount. Harry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T191032 Report post Posted December 23, 2018 I appreciate the advise. Turned out to have a granite shop not far from me. Got a (larger than expected piece) to work with, so I shall be able to make better marks and rivet better now I hope. Thank you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JazzBass Report post Posted December 23, 2018 Don't ya just love these forums? You get direct links to commercial suppliers, home brewed solutions, and an education on the difference between marble and granite, all in one thread =:O Wonderful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aven Report post Posted December 23, 2018 If you are having a hard time finding a freebie, Woodcraft has a granite 9"x12"x2" surface plate for $30. I have no idea what shipping will be. I dropped by my local Woodcraft and picked one up a couple of years ago. I really like it. Solid, slick, works a treat. https://www.woodcraft.com/products/granite-surface-plate-9-x-12-x-2-a-grade Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bennyg11 Report post Posted January 2, 2019 Go to a local maker of custom counter tops. They have to pay by the pound to discard there scrap. They were more than happy for me to take 2 huge thick square pieces of marble. Even told me to tell my friends Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bennyleather Report post Posted April 19, 2019 Does anyone here have experience in the Avon, Ohio area concerning granite companies? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
