Granite pieces

[DaveP]

Going to try some carving and stamping.  Looking around at what folks were using.  Didn't really want to spend too much money on a piece of granite.  Drove by a custom counter top shop. Stopped and asked if I could buy a piece of cut out or scrap.  After I explained what I wanted it for he showed me his dumpster.  He said take what I want as he has to pay to have it hauled away.  I offered again to pay,  he said no. Then I went into his dumpster...this is what I have now. Very nice smooth pieces. Never hurts to ask!!

 

[TSes]

If that doesn't hold up to the pounding, go to a shop that makes grave markers. Their stuff is a lot thicker and holds up well. They usually give away their mistakes, or cracked pieces.

 

[DaveP]

They are almost 1 1/2" thick. You don't think it'll hold up to stamping ?

[Arturomex]

Nice find.

LOL Unless you're stamping with a jack hammer, I think those are going to hold up just fine. Depending on where you put them, you might find those smaller pieces are a little bouncy.

I did the same as you. Went to a granite counter top place, asked to buy cut outs and was gifted with a really nice piece of 1 1/2" granite.

In one of my, ah, darker moments I thought about buying my headstone, having one side engraved with everything  but my departure date and using the other side for tooling and stamping. LOL

Regards,

Arturo

[Oxbo]

Put a 1/8th to 1/4 inch piece of cork under it = more better ....

[TSes]

4 hours ago, DaveP said:

They are almost 1 1/2" thick. You don't think it'll hold up to stamping ?

I've broken granite that size while stamping basket weave and large lettering on heavy leather. My current slab is 2 1/2" thick. 

[Scootch]

Our local counter top guy recommended that I use quarts over granite in that it will resist dropping a hammer on it better than the granite.  If you notice when digging through the pile a lot of the countertop material will have a fiber backing on it to help prevent cracking.  The more stable materials do not have the backing.

Some people buy granite surface plates.  These run about 3 inches thick and are precision ground for use as a sandpaper foundation to sharpen wood tools and such.

Scootch

[DaveP]

I'll try it out until it breaks.  Then look for thicker stuff.  There's a couple headstone cutters in the area as well. 

[DomsLeather]

12 hours ago, DaveP said:

I'll try it out until it breaks.  Then look for thicker stuff.  There's a couple headstone cutters in the area as well. 

Dave, I did the same thing.  I went and got granite sink cutouts. He gave me all I wanted. He had a pallet full so I backed up and took what I could load. I got maybe 20. I took my wet saw and squared them up and got them to about 16 inches square. I’ve not broke one yet if I do I have 19 more to go. I put mine on a rubber mat to protect the bench also help absorb the shock. It’s a very dense mat made for cutting on. 

Edited May 23, 2020 by DomsLeather

[DaveP]

I was thinking about putting rubber on the bottom as well.  I have some 1/8" think walkway rubber to glue on.