Cutting a chemistry sink/soapstone

[zdech123]

I got a really cool chemistry sink from a school auction last year to use in my garage. Well, as with many spur of the moment buys, I am not sure I will be using it. It needs a new cabinet but the top and sink, although separated, are in good shape. I am now trying to get rid of it but it weighs a ton. All the weight is in the top and since I can't find anyone that wants it I think I am going to cut it into smaller, more manageable pieces.
What type of blade/saw will I need to do this? The top is made of soapstone.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Either a diamond blade, or a sledgehammer,....

 

[pmiranda]

Bummer. I'd ask where you are since that would be cool to have but I don't have anywhere to store that either!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Diamond blade and a bit of water.

 

[rlitman]

Soapstone cuts easy, BUT soapstone sinks are often worth $$$$ now. Advertise it on CL, or search for people who recycle these things before you go destroying it.

 

[MichaelBikel]

lets see a pic!

 

[SweetD]

Man I would think you could get some good money for that thing from someone looking for a "vintage" industrial-type sink! Let's see it!

 

[Champ128]

Be careful, older ones were often made using asbestos.

 

[404]

It may not be soapstone. It may be a man made material. While not, IMNSHO a real problem, it may have asbestos in it. LIke lead, asbestos was used to improve product quality. Cut it wet, don't inhale, rinse all the slurry away.

 

[Kaizen]

scratch it with your fingernail and if it leaves a mark it could be soapstone. I thought I heard it cuts with normal woodworking tools and carbide tipped blades. does it have pieces? soapstone sinks are normally made in pieces.
like said its big bucks so sell it. put up some pics

 

[tymbo]

Are you sure it isn't epoxy?

 

[zdech123]

Some one told me it was soap stone, I am not positive. I know it weighs a lot. Here is a pic, not sure if you guys can tell what material it is

 

[KEH]

It doesn't lok like any soapstone I have ever seen and I have soapstone on the place. Soapstone is so called because a smooth edge will feel soapy to the touch. It is very soft and can be cut with ordinary woodworking tools which will need resharpening after use.

I agree with trying to resell it on CL for a good price.

KEH

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... That looks almost exactly like the one I've got,....

So far, I'm usin' it as a kitchenette on the waterfront deck,...

I think it's Slate, not soapstone,....

Black, 'n Heavy,....

 

[Hornman]

That countertop is definately not soapstone, never seen black soapstone. Lab countertops and sinks are formulated to resist chemicals and biological agents. The countertop in the picture does not appear that old, so it is probably an epoxy composite, probably does not have asbestos in it. Probably epoxy resin with carbon black and minerals. Use a diamond blade. One last thought: lab sinks and countertops are nearly indestructable and are highly prized by those that know about them.

 

[Hornman]

Zdech123,
How deep is the sink and where are you? I have really good shop sink and cabinet, but I would pull them out for a good lab sink and countertop.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Damn, that one is in good shape, down to the water channels for the drying racks. You sure you want to take a Sledge Saw to it? If it were out here in my neck o' the woods it would be gone, either for a shop sink or one bada** parts washer station...

 

[rlitman]

That countertop is definately not soapstone, never seen black soapstone.

Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it does not exist. First off, there are black soapstones. Second, with age, dark grey soapstones will age to black. Third, soapstones used in labs are generally chemically stained to be more uniformly black.

 

[Lotek]

Ya know, if the o/p would have just put his location info under his name, he would most likely not have that sinking feeling by now...

If it was local, I'd be interested...

 

[FDRX-7]

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but it could be soapstone. I have black soapstone countertops in my house I just built. Soapstone has been used a lot in chemistry labs for its non-reactive, chemical-resistant nature. Black soapstone starts out gray and is generally oiled many many times to make it black. It can be mostly solid in color, or it can have white and/or green veins.

 

[Keel]

Where you at..

 

[maxpower_hd]

We have had many of these at my work. They will break with a sledge if you have to go that route. People do like them though so you could at least fidn someone on CL to take it for free I'm sure.

 

[Git]

I was also thinking epoxy resin at first
www.amazon.com/Diversified-Woodcraf...qid=1447436585&sr=8-2&keywords=resin+lab+sink

But the second one is soapstone and is very similar to what you have
http://www.urbanremainschicago.com/...oapstone-apron-sink-w-routed-drainboards.html

 

[zdech123]

Sorry, I thought my location was in my profile. I am in Cincinnati, Ohio. I really do not want to bust it up, I just have nowhere to store it and with it weighing so much I cannot throw it out by myself, without making it smaller- i.e. cutting it up.
It might be epoxy, it might be slate, I have no clue what it is. I got it cheap and it is pretty neat, I just don't have a use for it right now.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

It may not be soapstone. It may be a man made material. While not, IMNSHO a real problem, it may have asbestos in it. LIke lead, asbestos was used to improve product quality. Cut it wet, don't inhale, rinse all the slurry away.

X2! Most middle aged school lab tops are not soapstone, they're epoxy and yes, they sometimes have asbestos fibers in them. My bench top is made out of used lab table tops from the high school at the district I used to work in. I had to cut one piece. A 7.5" masonry blade on a circular saw worked just fine dry. I just wish I knew it may have contained asbestos at the time...

Tommy

 

[DC73]

Sorry, I thought my location was in my profile. I am in Cincinnati, Ohio. I really do not want to bust it up, I just have nowhere to store it and with it weighing so much I cannot throw it out by myself, without making it smaller- i.e. cutting it up.
It might be epoxy, it might be slate, I have no clue what it is. I got it cheap and it is pretty neat, I just don't have a use for it right now.

I also agree with putting it on Craigslist. It wouldn't last a week around here without someone taking it off your hands. I'd jump on it if you were close to me.

DC

 

[Todd.Brock]

Ah damn. Now you are going to make me find a place for it. No. No. Must resist.

 

[zdech123]

It's in good enough shape, needs a better box underneath it but I'll be home all weekend for you to come look/take it away.....

 

[kylini]

I'm not experienced enough to tell you if that's soapstone or not, but I do know that's a *VERY HIGH QUALITY* sink. I have a chemist friend who did their entire kitchen with it and it came out wonderfully.

Don't throw it out. Use it or sell it.

 

[Yourfired]

Do not cut it into pieces, instead sit on it and return your investment. If you paid a good price for it then there is definitely a profit to be turned here. Regardless of the constructing material, this sink is worth some money.

 

[wes73]

It's likely a composite. I have one and took it to a counter top manufacturer to get cut to only find out it is composite and can be cut with a fine tooth circ saw blade. They are dense and very heavy.