Replies

1. 
   tuffy | Dec 31, 2005 11:25am | #1

   I just cut up a bunch of old blackboard slate and laid it down on my kitchen floor. It's sort of a soft and brittle material, so sanding should work beautifully, but you might risk chipping it up with a grinder. Also, if trying to use a belt sander, you probably wouldn't want to go against the grain of the stone--that'd probably chip it as well.

2. 
   FastEddie | Dec 31, 2005 06:50pm | #2

   You can use a diamond blade in a side grinder.  Go easy.  And you can hit it with silicon carbide sandpaper (the black wet/dry stuff) to take out some of the scratches and create a radius edge.  Regular sandpaper works too, but it might not last as long.  I think I wouold use a palm sander rather than a belt sander ... better control.

    

    

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

3. 
   Karl | Dec 31, 2005 06:53pm | #3

   I have only done one job in slate slab, I usually work with granite. For whatever stone I am working with I use Silicon Carbide sandpaper in 7" discs and spin them between 2000 and 4000 rpm. For slate I would probably just use 60, 120, and 220 grit.

   Rubbing your hand on the edge to transfer a little of the oil on your skin should help darken the raw, fresh sanded look. If you plan on adding a sealer or color enhancer that should also even out the colors nicely.

   Slate is so soft that any abrasive should work but silicon carbide is likely to hold up longer working with stone. Not a big deal for a one time project though.

   karl

1. 
   johnharkins | Dec 31, 2005 08:27pm | #4

   fastone & tuffy
   many thanks
   I'll be giving it a go today

1. 
   HandySteve | Jan 03, 2006 07:11pm | #5

   How did it turn out?

    

   GoodLuck

4. 
   JeffBuck | Jan 04, 2006 07:10am | #6

   "can I get somewhere w/ my 4" grinder and belt sander?"

    

   Yes.

   Jeff

       Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   johnharkins | Jan 04, 2006 09:03am | #7

   the bullnozing is being put off until I do the mstrbdrm fireplace
   this one I've won out over rest of design committee (DW) amd will do slate on floor / hearth and face fireplace w/ riverrockwe are putting vermont castings glass doored faux log gas heater in a insert esque situation and hopefully I have gained elevation space replacing the 2" Pennsylvania bluestone w/ 1/2" slate so the unit will fill the opening of fireplace and not encroach too much in roommasterbdrm fireplace shares chimney / different flue gets addressed in coming weeks - bullnose time thank you all for youir input

5. 
   Bruce | Jan 06, 2006 06:20pm | #8

   Any cheap diamond blade in a 4" grinder will cut your slate like butter.  Some slate is soft enough that, for a small job, you can do your roundover with a rub brick, you know, the carborundum block with the plastic handle on it.

   Bruce

   Between the mountains and the desert ...