Soap stone..Turnings??

[Kevin T in T Bay]

Has any one attempted to turn soapstone.If so, was there any areas of caution, or difficulties to consider prior to purchasing / turning this stuff?
Kevin T in T Bay

[Tom in Red Deer]

Hi Kevin T,

Soapstone, Alabaster and some of the softer Onyx. They turn fine on a wood lathe.

Things to look out for...

Use a mask!!!
Look for solid stone, no inclusions and no fractures.

Use a mask!!!

Don't get the stone too hot or it will fracture.

Put some kind of filter over the intake end of your lathe motor.

Use a mask!!!

Use a cloth or piece of old shower curtain to protect the bed of your lathe and the base of the tool rest from the fine rock dust.

Have a look at
www.turningsinminiature.ca/myweb (http://www.turningsinminiature.ca/myweb)

There are pics there of some of the miniature stuff I have done.

Tom in Red Deer



http://turningsinminiature.ca/myweb

[Kevin T in T Bay]

Tom, Very Cool site/ work, As you my have heard many times before, I don't know how you have the patients, or the eye site for that small work and detail. Great job. You seem to be in a place that " I dream to be in " some day..Hopefully I'll learn how to post pictures soon/ once I pick up my new camera. One last note, I picked up on ..wear a mask... I'm already there as I am turning some toxic stuff i.e. Bloodwood, paduak, purpleheart etc... Cheers and have a Grand day in whatever you do..Kevin T in T Bay

[Tom in Red Deer]

Hi Kevin,

Yes, I hear the word patience a lot. I don't think of it that way and in the rest of my life that attribute is sadly missing. I feel that the folks here that make regular furniture have way more patience than I do. Some of their projects take months or years to finish...most of mine are done in a couple of hours or less.

Don't be in a big hurry to get where you feel I am. Enjoy the ride along the way. It has only been the last two years that I have been able to do some of the things I like to do and it took 35 years to get here.

I still have a full time job and every day is a struggle. Arthritis, Bursitis and allergies don't help much.

However, my time in the shop does help to relieve the rest of life's pressures and being a member of a group of people such as we have here makes everything seem worthwhile.

I look forward to seeing some of your stuff when you start posting pics.

Have a great day,

Tom in Red Deer

[Andy in NS]

Kevin, I worked in Niger, Weset Africa a few years ago for a Canadian company that had a gold camp, soap stone was readily available, I turned a few pieces and carved a few gifts for the family while there trying to get the time in.

There are probably different hardness's of it, the stone I used was probably the easist thing I've ever turned and had amazing red, white and pink colors.

As noticed, the dust is very fine, wear proper protection.

[Kevin T in T Bay]

great info, Dust masks are a must...I Heard that loud and clear from all. Thanks Tom for the insight. And your first segmented bowl looks familiar. Great stuff.



http://www.canadianwoodworking.com/chat/pics/pic160720.jpg