Soapstone Source

[Whaler]

I didn't want to hijack Rod's thread so a separate post. Here is the source that I use for soapstone www.stonesculptorssupplies.com I bought a block last year and they cut it to fit a large flat rate box, weighed 35#, so shipping is reasonable.

 

[doddman70]

I have turned Alabaster but not soap stone, is it any harder or is it softer than Alabaster? and difference in cutting and drilling or Turning?

 

[Mark]

Thanks for the link. I'll check them out...

 

[broitblat]

I have turned Alabaster but not soap stone, is it any harder or is it softer than Alabaster? and difference in cutting and drilling or Turning?

Not a scientific analysis, but I have turned a few pieces of each and have not found either to be significantly more difficult, etc. than the other.

YMMV

-Barry

 

[GoodTurns]

soapstone is (in my LIMITED experience) much less brittle than turned alabaster. both very soft during turning.

 

[PaulDoug]

That is where I have purchased all my soapstone and alabaster. I have received good service from them. Unfortunately I have not see any as pretty as what Rod (Rodneep) has been showing.

 

[RodNeep]

I get mine direct from Kenya. I know a local guy who lives in a village where they have a hole on the ground where they dig the stuff out.

The folks in the village make soapstone trinkets and carvings for tourists (although business is somewhat thin for them). I buy from them ready cut into pen blanks, and give them the equivalent of about $2.50 per blank. Putting that into perspective, $1 is enough for a family there to feed themselves for a day, and they are very happy with that price!

The big problem is that I rarely know what colours and patterns of stone I will receive. (I can try asking them for something specific, but they send something different ). Then there is the shipping costs, which are huge! Effectively in total it costs around $9 a piece, (based on buying 30 at a time).

Rod

 

[Craftdiggity]

I get my soapstone from a supplier in New York. Every now and then I take a trip up and stock up.

 

[Rolland]

what adhesive do you use to fasten the tubes, i would think the soap stone is porous enough to perhaps a need to give it a coat of thin ca prior to glueing in the tubes. I am getting set up to do a couple of pens in Vermont soapstone and since I have never used this medium thought I might check here firstly.
any help/advise/thoughs would be apprecated