sandblast sandstone

["George Graham" <georgergraham@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Cathy,
The tools necessary to carve sandstone are as simple or a complex as you
want. Sandstone is generaly speaking considered a very soft stone. Because
it is made up of silica (quartz) sand, it carves easy but at the same time
it is very hard on steel tools . A sharp cutting edge will dull quickly. The
sand particles are harder than steel, but the stone comes apart easily. Its
a strange compination of proporties.

If you are doing a small number of projects that have great personal meaning
to you , its hard to beat the simplicity of using a carbide chisel and a
mallet . Thats all you really need to express yourself, with a minimum
amount of equipment. You get directly to carving without dealing with a lot
of equipment. Look back to what Maureen said eariler. If you are just
beginning, then I would go very low tech, get used to working and handling
the stones first. I wouldn't buy a lot of expensive equipment before you
have learned how to carve it the old fashioned way first. All the major
sculpture supply companies carry a good selection of tools .

Finaly, never forget that sandstone is made of sand, which is pure quartz,
which when carved becomes a very fine dust which will damage your lungs.
Silicosis is a disease which is to be taken very seriously.
Get a good dust mask, and have fun.

George Graham