I'm looking for a piece of slate or granite 6' X 3' and.75- 1" thick to build on. Where should I be looking for a piece this size?

You might check with a billiards table company or a professional landscaper. Iwould think you would have better luck using a piece of glass, steel or aluminum. Gonna be very heavy!!

pmw

I would look for home improvement sources (kitchen counter suppliers, bathroom re-modelers).

you could also buy a used pool table,  strip the sides of, remove the felt, and you have a complete table, with adjustable feet ready to set up.  My 1st build table was an old pine top, which I got a new ply top and I glued flooring cork tiles on.   worked very well

Kitchen counter tops.  I would look for some granite that has been removed.  Some people have been having trouble with the black granite and are having it replaced due to staining.  Dont matter to us.
Edwin</p>

A new piece sounds like big $s.

paul

You could also try a marker company that makes markers for cemeteries. I would bet if you are not particular for a color you could find a reject piece fairly cheap. I know we sell counter tops, but I have no idea of the cost. If your family has always used a funeral home in your town they may also be able to help you.
Good luck and build a heavy duty support system because granite is very heavy.
Alan

I wanna see the pins you're gonna use! [X(]

In all seriousness, I've found some pretty good sized pieces available for aquascaping fish tanks and such at various quarries. They'll frequently have an order for a large slab, and have a crack or flaw show up which renders the piece unsellable, but well suited for a variety of other uses.

You might want to try a machining supply, but the granite with those dimensions are going to be about 10 inches thick.

You don't need that kind of precision to build a balsa model airplane.  For a building surface that size a hollow core door will be plenty sturdy and precise, not to mention much lighter.  You can go as cheap as a couple of saw horses for stands, or build an elaborate structure to hold the door.  </p>

This is what I use with a piece of sheet insulation on top. Mine sits on a folding table. When I am through I just put it back in the barn. (I build in the house now other room availible outside.)
Alan

I use shelf bd from the hardware store.  It 2'x4' with formica on both sides.  For a little bigger wing panel I use an office table top thats 5' long from a scrap sale.
Edwin

I do the same, but use a solid core door...not much more expensive, and less prone to sagging/warping over time. A sheet of homasote on the top makes a good surface that's inexpensive and easy to replace after a few builds' worth of cuts and damage.

Thanks for the info!

I agree with gbolton about the hollow core vs. solid core door. I spent years trying to get a hollow core door to work. Ifinally gave up and bought a solid core. I've measured it and it's within 1/32 in. of dead flat. I use a piece of ceiling tile from Home Depot taped down to the door for a glueing surface. (Back side up). Then use the door surface for assembly. I put paint masking paper on the ceiling tile and door surface for protection,and throw it away after each project. Works good for me.

pmw

Any of your Granite Fabricators will have that available.  Unfortunately, 6x3 is not considered scrap in the countertop world.  That is a good sized bathroom vanity top.  Unless you can find one that has been badly scratched or has some pretty serious natural flaws in it, you are going to pay a good penny.

A 25 Sq. Ft. granite kitchen countertop cost us over $2800. Go with the door.

JOEL;
  Check out this web site, metal top and magnets, as well as, a whole wealth of knowledge on our hobby.
    www.airfieldmodels.com        George

I second, or was that third or fourth suggestion of the solid core door. I started out with a hollow core and it was fine for a while but started to sag in the middle after time. I then mounted a solid core door right on top of it and it had been dead flat for the past three years. This past winter I needed a second table (too many projects) and decided on a hollow core since it will be used mainly for fabrication while the other table is used for building and setups.

Searching around you can find "second" or damaged doors very cheap, my solid core was $12 at Homey depot and it just had a big scratch on one side. I would not suggest supporting it on saw horses but make it permanent by using atop some cheap cabinets that double as storage space.

cooper998

Hey if your wing has a slight warp so what!  That's what trim tabs are for!

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS"><span style="font-size: medium">Very sturdy frame made out of 2x4's and 1/4"x2" steel with an exterior oak solid core door. Homosote on top to hold pins. Table weight near 400lbs.

Barry
www.canopyrailsforwarbirds.com </span></span>

If weight price and space isn't a problem, you can get a decent workbench through www.woodcraft.com

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Serena</p>

perhaps try a habitat for humanity store near your residence.

I got a new hollow core door from Home Depot for $22.00. That is still cheap compared to slate or marble.

Couple tons of the stuff in the woods at my parents house. It was removed from a bank when they replaced the green marble floor with whatever new color they wanted. About 48"x "I don't know how wide". Wider than a standard 48" ceiling tile but not a square. My step grandfather hauled it off and dropped it right where it's currently sitting....in the weeds under a tree in the woods.