straightedge cheating; Karin Sprague workshop

[Norman Watts <Norman_Watts@zzzzzzz>]

Hi Sarah,

Karin's workshop sounds even nicer than it looks on her website. I
would probably have gone back too and if it were closer I'd pay her a
visit. I actually spent a bit of time looking at the workshop pictures
and figuring out some of the hoisting system you mentioned. I'm
surprised that you cut in your living room. I used to work in a garage
(chilly in winter) and I wouldn't have wanted the amount of fine black
dust that I created inside the house, let alone that I wouldn't have
been allowed to. How do you contain the dust? I don't know where you
can get the slate where you are located. I assume you've tried all the
likely local places, and the thicker slabs you want will be even harder
to find so you will probably have to drive someplace to get them. Where
does Karin get hers? Others on the list may have better suggestions.
Working honed slate is really nice. Its amazing how carefully it makes
you work. Every tiny mistake stands out, so you try not to make them. I
don't recall the exact prices I've paid for various pieces I've bought
but its about $29/sq ft. That is for 3/4" thick stone honed on one side
and cut to custom dimensions. The largest piece I've used was 32" x 32"
x 3/4". Pieces left over from other cutting jobs can be had much
cheaper. They are fine, just check them for marks and inclusions. As
for cutting a curved shape, I've never done that, but from what I've
read you can just use an electric jigsaw, but you have to use cooling
water (and attendant precautions such as using a GCFI).

n

Norman Watts, Ph. D.
National Institutes of Health
50 South Drive, Rm. 1509
Bethesda, MD 20892-8025
Phone: (301) 402-3418
Fax: (301) 480-7629