Sanding Slate

[Sadler McGraw]

When I make my purr pots, I take a 3.5" piece of slate and grind it down to about 3.4".  Reason being is that the plastic pots that are used are that diameter.  I do it on a belt sander.  Some pieces will turn out just perfect, others will have some chips missing on the edge.   Some that chip will end up egg shaped because it sands quicker at the chipped spots.

Does anyone have any experience sanding slate?  would you know a trick to keep it from chipping? 

It makes the biggest mess to when your sanding it!!!! 

Sadler

[ol bob]

80 grit belt slow speed heat is the problem

[hunter62]

I use can water and dip the slate as I sand so it don't get hot and chip use fine sandpaper

[M,Yingling]

water and take compass and score your cut line help keep from chipping ,,,,on a disc belt sander I use the disc side liter grit paper ,,,, if your doing a lot my be easier get it straight from quarry

  http://pennbigbedslate.com/products/miscellaneous/

[luckydawg]

I have used double sided tape to put sandpaper on faceplate for my lathe. Just use on low speed and constantly turn slate.

[ccleroy]

water and take compass and score your cut line help keep from chipping ,,,,on a disc belt sander I use the disc side liter grit paper ,,,, if your doing a lot my be easier get it straight from quarry

  http://pennbigbedslate.com/products/miscellaneous/

Yep

[rutandstrut]

Check you table on your disc sander. If the gap is too large, it will chip off the bottom of the slate!