Soapstone Carving Tools
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Soapstone is a soft stone that is easy to carve. Remove any broken or cracked sections of the stone before beginning the carving process. Rough soapstone may have hidden cracks so it is advisable to file and cut the stone into a rough sculpted state prior to beginning the main sculpture.
Bandsaw
Soapstone absorbs heat, which makes it a perfect candidate for using a bandsaw. The bandsaw is used to cut away large portions of the soapstone to create the basic sculpture form. A good blade to use is a 'skip tooth.' The 'skip tooth' blade allows more soapstone dust to be removed with each cut. The teeth will wear on the blade, so it is important to check it periodically throughout the cutting process.
Hacksaw
A mini hacksaw is used to cut away portions of the soapstone to bring out the rough sculpture shape and to cut away the stone in holes or areas that will be void in the sculpture once completed. The blade is removed from the hacksaw at the handle by using the thumbscrew and put through the hole on the sculpture. The versatility of the hacksaw blade makes it an ideal tool to use when a void in the sculpture is desired.
Wrap duct tape around the end of a hacksaw blade to create a cutting knife. A hacksaw cutting knife works well for cutting away medium size pieces of soapstone.
Drills and Chisels
A power drill or drill press is used to make the cutting holes in the areas that need cut away from the inside of the sculpture. They are also used to make depressions in the soapstone tile carving.
The hole or holes drilled through the soapstone provide the opening to place the hacksaw blade. Drill bits, drill bit extensions and spade bits are available for purchase to use with both the power drill and drill press. Use chisels to knock out the partially drilled areas to create depressions.
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