Roof Slates for Craft Projects

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We have a lot of old slates that have fallen or been taken off our 90+ year old roof. We'd like to use some of them for decorative painting projects. We need to cut them and did a web search to get some ideas. There is a special slate cutting tool that looks like a paper cutter but it is much too expensive. Supposedly, they can also be cut with a hacksaw with a carbonized (?) blade. Has anyone done this? Also, can we use latex paint as a base coat or do we have to use some kind of primer or acrylics? Appreciate your help!

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), August 23, 2001

Answers

I used a masonary blade in a skill saw years ago to cut slate and it gave a good smooth cut.

-- hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), August 23, 2001.

Just like hendo said get yourself a real good masonry blade. I use one on my miter saw to cut floor tile,slate,etc.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), August 23, 2001.

I'm glad you asked about this, I've got an old large piece of slate (probably from a chalk board) that I've been wanting to cut and paint and make crafts with. The ones I've seen for sale in craft shops seem to have a layered edge rather than a clean edge. Is there a way to score and break the slate to get this appearance or would it just crumble into a mess?

-- Susan (smtroxel@socket.net), August 23, 2001.

Make sure it is slate and not an asbestos (sp) product. You do not want to release the fibers if that is what it is.

-- ed (edfrhes@aol.com), August 23, 2001.

Susan - I saw a website that said that slate can't be scored and broken. I think I will try the masonry blade and then try to chisel off the edge at a slant to get the look you are talking about.

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), August 23, 2001.


Cindy,

Years ago I had access to a pile of old roof slates. I did oil paintings on them and then varnished them. They still look nice about 20 years later. I should think you can use acylics with an acrylic sealer. I never put a primer on them just painted directly onto the slate.

I saw someone on e-bay selling old slates just last week. Wonder if that was you.

Pauline

-- Pauline (tworoosters_farm@altavista.com), August 23, 2001.


To get that scalloped edge,try a can opener, the kind to open bottles with,the kind before twist off caps were invented we done it on glass and mirrows for that rounded edge, lots of luck.

-- Mary (marwel@microserve.net), August 23, 2001.

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