John Anderson Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 hi, i just got a granite block from woodcraft today. i was just wondering if there are any maintainance procedures i should be following. i know granite counter tops have manditory upkeep, i dont know about a block for sharpening. thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhl.verona Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Granite and marble make for great sharpening surfaces because they're flat and stable. They're hard but very brittle, and they also stain easily. You might get upset if the kitchen work surface or flooring gets stained, but that's not a problem for your purchase. Treat it like you would your cast iron planes - the materials are similar, except for the rust. The stuff will scratch fairly easily, so be careful with those chisels and plane blades. Larger iron/steel filings could also scratch it, so use an old paint brush to clean the surface - as you would the wet and dry (if used dry), then a damp cloth - wiping off the filings with a cloth could cause scratching. Don't drop it, unless you want several irregular shaped blocks (and possibly a broken foot), and don't drop anything on it - a chip or at the minimum a scratch is guaranteed. Cover it with a thick cloth or piece of wood when not in use to protect the surface from falling objects. Sorry if that all sounds like one of those toothpick warning messages, but I've managed to stain the floor (olive oil, unfortunately), chip a block (window sill), and scratch the surface stepping on loose sand while replastering. No, I don't have a personal Murphy field, it did take me 20 years to accumulate these feats. HTH John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoboMonk Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Pure tung oil is a good sealant for stone. I dilute one part pure tung oil with three parts VM&P naphtha. Apply with a cloth, then wipe off the excess after 15 or 20 minutes. Allow to dry for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 consider a tray to put the granite in, that wraps over the corners, so you can put the block away and out of "the line of fire" that can occur without notice... I've been watching the prices between Woodcraft and Tandy Leather for the granite blocks. This is the lowest price I've seen for granite at Woodcraft, but the typical sale price at Tandy. Tandy occasionally gets lower, though. The guys at Tandy have made similar trays, and pull the block out when they do leatherworking, and put it back away in their work area when they are done. They have different reasons to use granite, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Anderson Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 thanks guys. it came in a wooden crate that ill keep it in when it isnt in use. im not too worried if it gets stained just as long as it stays flat. woodcraft had it on sale for $20 si i figured that was as low as i would see it. i appreciate the replys, john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardmartin Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Granite and marble make for great sharpening surfaces because they're flat and stable. They're hard but very brittle, and they also stain easily. You might get upset if the kitchen work surface or flooring gets stained, but that's not a problem for your purchase. Treat it like you would your cast iron planes - the materials are similar, except for the rust. The stuff will scratch fairly easily, so be careful with those chisels and plane blades. Larger iron/steel filings could also scratch it, so use an old paint brush to clean the surface - as you would the wet and dry (if used dry), then a damp cloth - wiping off the filings with a cloth could cause scratching. Don't drop it, unless you want several irregular shaped blocks (and possibly a broken foot), and don't drop anything on it - a chip or at the minimum a scratch is guaranteed. Cover it with a thick cloth or piece of wood when not in use to protect the surface from falling objects. Sorry if that all sounds like one of those toothpick warning messages, but I've managed to stain the floor (olive oil, unfortunately), chip a block (window sill), and scratch the surface stepping on loose sand while replastering. No, I don't have a personal Murphy field, it did take me 20 years to accumulate these feats. HTH Thanks,, John Really Nice Threads Mr. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhl.verona Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Thanks, Edward. Though my wife thinks I have no dress sense at all... Really Nice Threads Mr. John Now go over to the Introducing yourself forum, so we can be formally introduced ... John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardmartin Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Hiii All i am new in Woodtalkonline and i would like to enjoy here with my update post,,, Thanks,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardmartin Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 If you don't know already, Granite is a gorgeous stone often used for countertops and flooring in kitchens and bathrooms. Unlike marble, granite is more durable and easier to care for. Real natural granite offers much sought after qualities such as durability, wear ability, and a rich design that is unmatched by synthetics. Granite is an all natural, naturally formed stone that is simply harvested from quarries, cut, polished, sealed, and installed. Granite is available in many natural styles and colors such as black, pink, brown, grey, and 275 other varieties. Its enduring qualities and easy care maintenance make it the perfect stone for countertops in bathrooms and kitchens. All About Granite Granite's many colors are due to the various minerals that are found in the rock naturally. Granite comes from all over the world, the different regions and different environmental factors that lend to its uniqueness are due to these minerals or cofactors of the regions in which granite formed. In addition to its main component quartz crystal, it also contains various amounts of feldspar, mica, copper, iron, and other metals. Some granite may even have bits of gold or silver. These are all formed into a hard stone by heat and pressure over time. While the rock is forming, rain adds other minerals to the granite. The amount of the ingredients as well as the way the granite is formed depends on the region of the world it comes from. Granite is available on every continent and in every country. The granite from each region is unique to that region. How to Care For Granite Granite is a natural indigenous rock that is not able to be duplicated by man. It's sought after qualities include scratch resistance, stain resistance, heat resistance, and wear ability. Granite is a figure that becomes part of your home. Its long lasting durability means that you will not have to replace it every few years like synthetic products. Even so, granite still requires proper care if it is to last a lifetime. First, granite is very durable, but it is not stain resistant. For optimal stain resistance a highly durable sealant coating is placed on the granite. Since granite is extremely porous, this coating is important. Therefore, it is this sealant coating that needs the attention when it comes to caring for your granite stone. Second, granite is scratch resistant. This means that it should not show wear and tear as readily as synthetic products or ceramic tile. However, this does not mean it should be used as a cutting board nor should cleaning products such as steel wool or comet be used to clean it. These can also dull the sealant coat and expose the granite to the possibility of stains. Third, while granite is heat resistant, it is still wise to place a barrier between the granite and hot pans. When taking items from the stove or oven and placing them on the granite simply place a trivet, thick towel, or hot pad between them. Even though granite is heat resistant, over time the stress from hot objects can begin to show by dulling the sealant. Fourth, to care for your granite and improve its long lasting durability, it needs to be cleaned properly. Simply wiping up spills as soon as they occur so that no abrasive agents or scrubber pads need to be used is ideal. To keep the surface clean a simple mild cleaning solution such as dish soap or multi-surface cleaner should be used on a daily basis. Spray or wipe on the cleaner, and rinse off with a damp cloth. Dry the surface with a lint free cloth to reduce water spotting or lint trails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandvike Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Keep an eye out on Enco as well. I got a 12x18x3 B grade surface plate from them for 25 bucks and free shipping last summer. http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=640-0120&PMPXNO=949402&PARTPG=INLMK3 is the exact item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySats Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Another place to pick up a chunk of granite is a local stone worker , IE Marble and Granite shop , usually they have small chunks laying around . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wareagle Todd Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Another place to pick up a chunk of granite is a local stone worker , IE Marble and Granite shop , usually they have small chunks laying around . I did just that and got a piece that is 14" x 24 that was finished on two of the edges. One of the short edges was partially straight but i ended up using a diamong blade on my circular saw to make the end straight. It turned out really nice and is dead flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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