flamed finish

["GeorgeJulieJessie Graham" <gjjgraham@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Syd,
I hope you know that your playing with fire . sorry I could't resist.

I've used a plummers tourch to remove toolmarks from granite monuments. Its
a very tricky thing to do. You are on the right track concerning the need
for very high temps. Hotter the better. Trying to flame finish a thin piece
of granite with a simple propane torch will more than likly end up breaking
the stone becaues the whole thickness is heating slowly up , rather then
just the outside surface. The idea is that a sudden temperature change on the
outside , will cause the outside stone to separate from the colder stone
inside.

I've watched a person use oxy-acetalene torch. He heated up a small area and
then sprayed water of the stone. A sudden temp. change is the key.

Needless to say , this is extreamly dangerous, as hot particles of stone
flying off and landing of tender parts of your anatomy can result in violent
outbursts of profanity. You will also ruin a lot of stone before you get the
hang of it. Finaly, some stone when exposed to intense heat don't flak off
on the surface,,,, they explode!

Most granite I've worked with respond to this method, some better than
others. The color of the stone will be altered. Black granite turnes a
little white.

Be careful, George Graham