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Soapstone Sculpting Instructions

Soapstone is a type of stone composed mainly of magnesite, dolomite, chlorite and talc. Soapstone is soft and smooth, and resembles a bar of soap. It has been used for building, sculpting, decoration, tools, counters, fireplaces, sinks and cookware. This type of material is not affected by acids or alkalis so it tends to work well in kitchens and laboratories where it will be subjected to different chemicals. The properties of soapstone make it an excellent sculpting media. Instructions for completing a soapstone sculpture are included in the following section.

Things You'll Need

  • Safety glasses or goggles
  • Dust mask
  • Hearing protection
  • Leather gloves
  • Sandbags
  • Mallet
  • Large flat chisel
  • Small flat chisel
  • Claw chisel
  • Toothed chisel
  • Stone rasp set
  • Shallow container
  • Water
  • 100-grit silicon carbide wet sandpaper
  • 150-grit silicon carbide wet sandpaper
  • 200-grit silicon carbide wet sandpaper
  • 300-grit silicon carbide wet sandpaper
  • 400-grit silicon carbide wet sandpaper
  • Floor wax
  • Buffing cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a sketch of the sculpture that you would like to create. Choose a sculpture subject that is appropriate for the size and shape of the stone that you have.

    • 2

      Transfer the sketch onto the surface of the stone with a pencil or crayon.

    • 3

      Put on safety equipment to include glasses, dust mask, hearing protection and leather gloves.

    • 4

      Position sandbags around the sculpture to provide stability.

    • 5

      Position the large, flat chisel at a 45-degree angle to the stone. Gently tap the chisel handle with the mallet to remove the excess soapstone around the outline of the sculpture.

    • 6

      Switch to the claw chisel. Use the chisel in conjunction with the mallet to smooth the lines caused by the large, flat chisel.

    • 7

      Switch to the toothed chisel. Use the chisel in conjunction with the mallet to smooth the lines caused by the claw chisel.

    • 8

      Switch to the small, flat chisel. Use the chisel in conjunction with the mallet to only smooth away lines caused by the toothed chisel.

    • 9

      Use the rasp to smooth the sculpture using forward strokes.

    • 10

      Use the file to smooth the sculpture using forward strokes.

    • 11

      Start sanding the sculpture using the lowest grit sandpaper. Dip the sandpaper in a container with water frequently to clean the dust off of the paper.

    • 12

      Sand with progressively higher grit sandpaper, removing all scratches from the previous paper used until the desired level of smoothness is obtained.

    • 13

      Allow the sculpture to dry completely.

    • 14

      Apply a layer of floor wax to the sculpture and buff it with a buffing cloth or lint-free cloth.

Sculpture

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