Posted 6 years ago
Teepaco
(3 items)
Need help in solving this mystery tool.
I purchased this wedge from a estate sell. It appears to be made from some type of stone. No one knew what it was.
Stone Wedge | ||
| Tools and Hardware3309 of 10112 |  |  |
Stone Wedge | ||
| Tools and Hardware3309 of 10112 | | |
Posted 6 years ago
Teepaco
(3 items)
Need help in solving this mystery tool.
I purchased this wedge from a estate sell. It appears to be made from some type of stone. No one knew what it was.
Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.
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Looks like soapstone. We used to pick it up around the quarries because it carves easily. Only wedges I ever saw were used as door wedges. Open the door and slide the wedge under it and it held the door open.
fhrjr2 thanks for your comment. That would make sense using as a door wedge, did you notice it had a number 3 craved or stamped on it?
Must be for "door number three"! LOL !
I sent a email to VT soapstone quarry which is one of the biggest in the country to find out any info on your stone ..and this is what they told me ....which aint much ....lol
Good morning Gary,
We're not familiar with any soapstone quarries in CA.
Soapstone is the common name for the mineral steatite. Steatite is at least 50% talc combined with other minerals, mostly magnesite, that have been geologically metamorphosed into stone through a combination of heat, pressure and time. It is called soapstone because the talc gives the stone a soapy feel.
Artistic soapstone has high talc content, is very soft, and is used for carving and welders pencils. The fat little Inuit whales and polar bears common in gift shops are carved from soapstone.
Architectural soapstone is between 60 and 75% talc and is used for sinks, countertops, floors and other architectural elements. This is the soapstone used by us.
Recently a number of sources have been marketing a “harder” soapstone which is not soapstone at all, but serpentine, which has in the past been discarded or sold as low quality marble. It does not have the same characteristics as soapstone and we do not work with or recommend it.
Hope this helps!