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How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface?

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Bryan

07-11-2003 14:20:52




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OK, i know this is kind of off topic, but you guys seem to know perd'near everything! I need to make a new sidewalk to the front door and recently say some 5" think rock in various sizes at the local trucking outfit. Some of the rock is around 3'-4' square and I think it would make a pretty nice sidewalk. It is all rough cut flat but there is some small ridges and cuts that I would like to smooth out a little bit. I'm just thinking along the lines of having barefoot kids running around on this. What is the best way to smooth it out so that it is a little more pleasant to walk on? I'm not sure what kind of stone it is, looks kind of like limestone but I'm not sure if it is or not. Thanks for any input you can give!

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alane

08-27-2003 14:11:25




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 Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface in reply to Bryan, 07-11-2003 14:20:52  
Have you been able to try any of the methods suggested? I am getting ready to attempt the exact same thing and any suggestion would sure help.



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Nolan

07-15-2003 10:09:33




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 Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface in reply to Bryan, 07-11-2003 14:20:52  
Surprised no one mentioned using a belt sander.

Since the purpose is to smooth down the high sharp edges, and not to reshape the stone, a belt sander should work fine.



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S. Sandow

07-15-2003 05:49:02




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 Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface in reply to Bryan, 07-11-2003 14:20:52  
Lot of great suggestions below. I've seen terazzo floor being honed with cup shaped grinding wheels and water (a professional rig) slow rotation grinding. I have also sculpted concrete pillars with masonry diamond disk in a small right angle grinder. It works great but is slow and is hard to get a smooth surface due to the disk shaped cutting. Here in Canada , Home Depot sell/rents cup shaped diamond disks which would be ideal for the job. One more note, if your climate goes from freezing in winter to summer temps you may end up with spalling or layer flaking as the years go by.
Good luck.

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Trevor

07-14-2003 09:09:54




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 Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface in reply to Bryan, 07-11-2003 14:20:52  
You have got some good sugestion below. I think I would try the air chisel and the angle grinder. But I wanted to add a suggection that I saw on TV. A guy was discussing how some ancient civilization built these great stone walls with perfectly flat surfaces. What they used was round granit rocks the size of cantelopes and dropped it repeatedly from about 4" on the other softer rock. It leaves no tool marks and can get a really smooth surface. I thingk he said that they would reduce the size of the tool rocks as they got it smoother.

Just a thought about stone from a Stone. (my last name is Stone)

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Farmered

07-14-2003 03:48:52




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 Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface in reply to Bryan, 07-11-2003 14:20:52  
Try using an air chisel to knock off the higher ridges. Experimentation will determine the best angle and pressure to use. You can get one for less than 20 bucks at Harbour Freight. Ed



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JH

07-12-2003 05:56:02




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 Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface in reply to Bryan, 07-11-2003 14:20:52  
Bryan,

Glad you asked the question, I have a similar project using fieldstone (sandstone) and am facing the same smoothing challenge. I've conceded that I'm not going to make flagstone slabs from the fieldstone so my expectations are set accordingly. Fortunately, our plans call for a rustic, not finished look. However, I intended to use chisels for the big ribs; I have chisels on hand and don't have to buy anything (part of the reason I'm installing the stone is to save money). I also intend to use a friction method similar to stone/concrete-on-stone but haven't set up a clamp/vise to hold the stone in place; so I can't say what has worked and what didn't. I'm still pulling stone from the ground around the property and hauling with a stone boat. I would be interested in learning how your project comes along.

JH

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Deas Plant.

07-12-2003 00:23:33




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 Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface in reply to Bryan, 07-11-2003 14:20:52  
Hi, Bryan. If it is a softer rock like limestone, sandstone, etc., you may find a piece of asphalt concrete/hotmix or a piece of ordinary concrete will do the job for you. Use the underside for the heavy work and the top surface for finishing off.

If it is a harder rock like basalt or granite, you may be stuck with the angle grinder trick. Use all the relevant safety gear AND MAKE SURE you are using MASONRY disks, NOT steel/acier disks.

Happy grinding.

You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

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big fred

07-11-2003 19:56:47




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 Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface in reply to Bryan, 07-11-2003 14:20:52  
If it was me, I'd try an angle grinder. Just make sure you wear safety glasses at least and a full face shield preferable. Also wear some sort of dust mask, as rock dust can be pretty nasty on your lungs.



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Slowpoke

07-12-2003 00:09:30




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 Re: Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth sur in reply to big fred, 07-11-2003 19:56:47  
Masonary wheels are available for angle grinders. Don't know how good it will work on stone.



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here, try this

07-11-2003 19:06:55




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 Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth surface in reply to Bryan, 07-11-2003 14:20:52  
try rubbing stone on stone



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John

07-14-2003 15:39:35




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 Re: Re: How can I sand rock to become a smooth sur in reply to here, try this, 07-11-2003 19:06:55  
The Stone on Stone idea is the way to go. It is used for grinding lenses and optical flats. If you can get something between them harder than either it will help with with the cutting.



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