A question for those who tool on stone slabs

Dalton Masterson · September 24, 2020, 01:42:08 PM

Late to the party here, but I use old sad irons for weights. Just put a thin leather over the steel so it doesn't contact the leather and make black marks.

Gunleather · October 22, 2020, 04:50:44 AM

Long story short my marble slab got broken so now I use a 12"x18"x1-1/2" steel plate to do all my tooling on. It doesn't move.

Marshal Will Wingam · October 22, 2020, 08:29:07 AM

My steel calculator says that should weigh 92lbs. I'd guess it wouldn't move.

Do you ever get any dark grey or black spots on the back of the leather where stamps push it against the plate? I've used a steel block (aka anvil) for heavy stamping before and it did just that. I've been tempted to get a stainless block for that kind of work.

Gunleather · October 23, 2020, 01:29:58 AM

Quote from: Marshal Will Wingam on October 22, 2020, 08:29:07 AM
My steel calculator says that should weigh 92lbs. I'd guess it wouldn't move.

Do you ever get any dark grey or black spots on the back of the leather where stamps push it against the plate? I've used a steel block (aka anvil) for heavy stamping before and it did just that. I've been tempted to get a stainless block for that kind of work.

No I've never any black marks, but I also keep it very clean and dry.

Rube Burrows · October 23, 2020, 08:10:23 AM

My first slab was a scrap off of a job site. It had some cuts in it and a couple chips from falling after it was cut but it was still a good size for my workbench. I broke it though playing around with my makers mark designs.

I liked it because it was made for a counter top and had the roll over front that allowed me to just slide it up snug on my work bench and it would not move.

After that broke I got the guy to get me another one but this one is in much better condition with no chips or cut marks anywhere on it. It also has the roll over front (which I like) and it's a good bit bigger so it allows me to have move of a workable surface. I tend to have to hit my makers mark pretty hard so I am trying to be careful on this one. If it breaks I will try to find another free one somewhere.

Forgive the messy workbench. I can't seem to keep that thing clean no matter how many times I clean it between projects.

1961MJS · October 23, 2020, 09:25:04 AM

Quote from: Rube Burrows on October 23, 2020, 08:10:23 AM

Forgive the messy workbench. I can't seem to keep that thing clean no matter how many times I clean it between projects.

It ain't a mess, you just got your stuff out where you can use it.

Later

Rube Burrows · October 23, 2020, 10:18:19 AM

Quote from: 1961MJS on October 23, 2020, 09:25:04 AM
It ain't a mess, you just got your stuff out where you can use it.

Later

True enough.

Marshal Will Wingam · October 23, 2020, 10:24:00 AM

Quote from: Gunleather on October 23, 2020, 01:29:58 AM
No I've never any black marks, but I also keep it very clean and dry.

Dry is obviously the trick. I find that happens with wet leather. The steel changes the color of the tannin in the leather just like vinegaroon does.

Marshal Will Wingam · October 23, 2020, 10:29:13 AM

I like the rolled edge on the front of your slab, Rube. That's not something I would have thought of.

As to the mess, don't trust a skinny cook or someone with a clean desk or workspace.

Rube Burrows · October 23, 2020, 11:13:18 AM

Quote from: Marshal Will Wingam on October 23, 2020, 10:29:13 AM
I like the rolled edge on the front of your slab, Rube. That's not something I would have thought of.

As to the mess, don't trust a skinny cook or someone with a clean desk or workspace.

When I first got one like that I thought I was not going to like it and prob. have to cut the lip off but once I put it up on my bench I loved it. It allows you to lean in to it and it dont move at all.