duckkisser Posted May 9, 2013 Report Share Posted May 9, 2013 a friend of mine gave me a block of soapstone im planing on turning it but was looking around for eather a quarry or a decently priced source of the stone. im looking for talc blocks, soapstone blocks, and alabaster. which ever would be cheapest if anyone knows of any mines in the midwest in illinois or else where please let me know. or if you know of where i can buy some of the stone without paying a arm and a leg. limestone also has a low hardness scale of 3-4. since illinois is known for limestone (chicago was built out of it) would that be something that i could turn on my lathe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kronewi Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 This is one source: http://www.newmexicoalabaster.net/ I have never tried turning Soapstone but I have been told you need to stabilize it as you go with CA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 thanks kronewi ill check it out see what he has to sell. kinda wish i was in new mexico i would just go spend a weekend diging up my own stone. maybe i can trade him some wallnut for some alabaster and soap stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted May 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 for anyone intursted I just turned the first block of soap stone man is it every dusty what a mess. first time I have needed a dust mask while turning makes me wish I had a dust collector hooked up. if I ever do stone regular like ill get something hooked up. the block I had was full of little pits guess how im going to fill them....................you guessed right inlay.................anyone that knows my interest could have guessed that. I think ill use some brass dust and super glue them in to fill the holes and make them look like its gold pieces. when its done ill post a few pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kronewi Posted May 14, 2013 Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 I had heard that it was a messy business. Depending on the color of the soapstone you used some copper or silver dust would look nice. Personally I think copper looks awesome with green. What did you stabilize the stone with? CA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted May 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 that's the next step just roughed it out last night and then I attached some mahogany to the rim to add a little extra. the stone is blue grey with a little red it so I thought the red mahogany would tie it together nicely. had to put it up and work on a small oak box while the glue dried over night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kronewi Posted May 14, 2013 Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 Blue grey with shots of red...yes brass or a bright gold should work very well. Post pictures when you are done. I would love to see the end product! Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted July 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 here is a jar we were talking about http://www.maxkrimmel.com/Alabaster/AlabasterMain.html some good information in it sources of stone http://www.2sculpt.comhttp://www.sculpt.comhttp://www.coloradoalabaster.comhttp://www.neolithicstone.comhttp://www.alpinegems.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudetes Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 hi! indeed really nice! maybe the combination of colours could be better but i really like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guillaume Breton Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 ressurecting an old thread, but since you game me the idea, duckkisser, about turning alabaster, i'm trying to find a profider here in canada (québec) if anyone comes across some place where i could buy some to try (or where or what to look for) i'd apreciate! tyvm ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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