Stone slabs/jiita

[rockm]

Since I can't repot with the snowstorm coming, I turned my attention to something I've been meaning to do for a while--stone slabs.

Here are two I finished today. Not really big enough for a huge forest, but will probably fit a mame or shohin. They might also come in handy for a display down the road.

The bigger one is about 18" x 9" the smaller 7" x 14"

 

[Good_Ol_JR]

Nice work, I've got that on my not yet spring list as well. What techniques did you use? I've been basically just planning on using the Joe Day techniques that Bill Butler describes here: http://gnobs.org/articles/ficus_slab/index.shtml

Ive searched but I haven't seen any other good advice on the topic.

 

[rockm]

This material isn't as heavy duty as the stuff Joe Day is using. They're old roofing slates. I use pliers, steel brushes and some grunt work.

The big pieces of stone Day is using cost an arm and leg if you can find decent ones.

 

[rockm]

Oh, I made more than two. I could probably be talked out of some of them.

 

[Poink88]

Very nice!

How heavy is it?
With trees, how much weight can it take w/o breaking when being moved? Or will it need a support frame/slab?

Thanks for sharing. Good idea!

 

[rockm]

The bigger slabs can handle a small tree. I don't think they would need support. They're slate, so, dropping them is probably an issue.

They're pretty lightweight made from 300 year old, close-grained slate roof tiles. Weigh about a lb. or so. Smaller ones less.