Synthetic Soapstone

[Gary Waller]

Can't wait to start the latest batch of experiments. One on top is synthetic
soapstone. Soapstone is made from magnesite and talc (calcium carbonate)
both of which I have in abundant supply. I should be able to 'make' a
soapstone with proper color and veining, but no fault lines. I can
manipulate the hardness by the amount of talc. I am interesting in turning,
I prefer a new word 'spin carving' because the rpms are slower and the tools
are sharper.

I also suspect the addition of metal powders will give a superior product to
forton mg or nouveau sculpt because I can actually heat enough to liquify
the aluminum, copper, brass or bronze - without effecting the cement
'matrix'. I will be able to 'burnish' rather than polish.

[wodenob]

Is it a secret or can you tell what the process is to produce the final
product ,I like the sound of it and would like to give it a try
regards dennis

[Gary Waller]

No real secret - magnesite was used extensively throughout the last part
part of 1800's, early 1900's, it was the poor man's tiling in United states,
because it was much easier to form bull nose, stair treads with a putty and
then stamp fake grout lines.
http://homeandhearth.keenesentinel.com/design.htm#2
With modern architecture it was reborn because you could make seamless
countertops, stairways, floors and walls. In Europe it is even more
widespread - it is the walls and floors of the Bauhaus (house) in Germany, a
Paris subway terminal (the art nouveau one). In China too -everywhere,
including, but not confirmed - the 'terra cotta' warriors.

In North America it died out through an expensive and brutal campaign by the
Portland Cement people (they also killed lime too). It was also a problem
that in the early days they used asbestos as a cheap filler, and the law
claims by ex-workers and homeowners caused the one major distributor Hill
Brothers in L.A., to become a ghost of itself.

This is regarded as an obscure industrial material, and minimum orders are
1.5 ton for Part A, and 200 gallons of part b.

I have thought of breaking down these quants, but it is hard to make money
in this part of the business - it is the shipping that makes the money. So
the applications like countertops, sink basins, vases, etc where the money
is. I am looking at a 'certified installer' program however, where I could
sell precast materials to contractors who would finish the pieces, customer
installation and customer service. I looked at a lot of Lapis pictures last
night - I dreamt about a lapiz countertop with a cast in bowl and
backsplash - do you know how beautiful that would be? And there is a large
market too - the custom homes I have all been involved with compete to make
their guest bathrooms as spectacular as possible

Post by wodenob
Is it a secret or can you tell what the process is to produce the final
product ,I like the sound of it and would like to give it a try
regards dennis

[wodenob]

Post by Gary Waller
No real secret - magnesite was used extensively throughout the last part
part of 1800's, early 1900's, it was the poor man's tiling in United states,
As an Aussie It is all new to me and I thank you for filling me in

cheers dennis

[Gary Waller]

Your in luck mate - Magnesite is a big deal in Australia. One of its biggest
proponents is from Tasmania - try a search 'concrete rainforest'

Post by wodenob

Post by Gary Waller
No real secret - magnesite was used extensively throughout the last part
part of 1800's, early 1900's, it was the poor man's tiling in United states,
As an Aussie It is all new to me and I thank you for filling me in

cheers dennis