Minimum Thickness For Granite Slab?

[humperdingle]

I used a 3/4" thick slab of marble and sat it on top of one of those lap trays (hard tray on top with a big bag of polystyrene beads underneath).

It probably sounds like it shouldn't work, but it does. Also means I can sit sown with the tray on my lap if I feel laaaazy :D

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

That's funny, I use a piece of boiler plate too. I started out with what I had sitting there, always intending to get a granite to replace it, still am one off these days!

Bob

[oltoot]

Reject headstone from a monument company.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Because I currently don't have a car weight is also a consideration too, so if the thinner granite will work that will probably be more practical for me in getting the damn thing home.

[Northmount]

Thin slabs need to be adequately supported. If for example, the ends are resting on the support, but the middle is slightly above the support, it will crack with repeated hammering. Other than that, a good solid sturdy bench under most any thickness of slab will work. Portable is nice, which goes against using 3 or 4 inch thick slabs. But it depends on your work area and what you have at hand to work with. Eventually, people move towards a good solid bench under a 1" or thicker slab.

Steel plate certainly does the job too. Maybe it needs to be waxed or sealed to ensure the leather doesn't pick up any iron, or will turn blue/black due to the reaction with tannin in the leather. I definitely wouldn't leave a damp piece of vegtan on bare steel.

Tom

[club49]

I JUST HAD A 2" PIECE OF GRANET CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE, IT COAST ME $50.00 .

JIM

[Colt W Knight]

I am going to get an tombstone next. The more I tool, the more I want something thats more solid and deadens more sound. I have a big anvil that works great, but its doesnt have a big enough surface area and it rusts

Edited September 25, 2015 by Colt W Knight

[victorl]

I picked up a 10-inch thick piece of unwanted granite for 10 bucks from a local tombstone maker and it was a bugger to carry home, but it's super smooth and works like a charm.

Haven't got a bench yet so I just put it on the floor and no matter how hard I hit, the only sound I hear is the maul hitting the stamps.

[Reegesc]

I use a 3" thick tombstone which is perfect because try as you might, you can't beat it to death. Get it...death...beat.... The other thing to consider is:

Free = Good

Tombstone = Good

Free + Tombstone = Nirvana

[TheCyberwolfe]

If you can't find something for dirt cheap in your area, the next-best bet is to dig through Amazon for a "surface plate", which is a 18"x24"x3" granite slab machined to be as near to perfectly flat as you can get. I got one for $80 including freight, but I have seen them cheaper.

Just make sure you have a sturdy table, damn thing weighs over 50 lbs.