How to Make Soapstone Warmers

Use a heavy rubberband to hold the soapstone warmer together while the glue dries

Make a soapstone bed warmer and a soapstone oil warmer using slabs of soapstone and a bandsaw. Use the same process for creating a soapstone oil warmer for larger projects. Use a knife grade glue to glue soapstone. Knife grade glue is a type of epoxy. Add colored pigment to the glue to match the soapstone color. Cut soapstone using a small close-toothed blade on a bandsaw. Large teeth will chip the soapstone easily. Do not force soapstone into a blade. Move it slowly and evenly to prevent breakage.

Things You'll Need

• 3/16-inch cold rolled steel
• 1 1/2-inch soapstone slab
• 1/2-inch soapstone slab
• Ruler
• Awl
• Bandsaw
• Drill
• Drill bit
• Black marker
• Hacksaw
• Bench vise
• Bench vise rubber plates
• Scroll saw
• Masking tape
• 1-gal plastic ice cream lid
• Optional: Color pigment
• Knife grade glue
• Plastic spreader knife
• Heavy rubberband

Instructions

Soapstone Bed Warmer

1. Mark an 8- by 12-inch rectangle on the surface of a 1 1/2-inch piece of soapstone. Draw an awl along the edge of a ruler to make a mark directly in the soapstone.

2. Use a bandsaw and cut along the marks. Cut slowly and evenly to avoid chipping.

3. Use a bench vise with rubber plate inserts and secure the soapstone on edge. Place a 12-inch edge to the top. Measure down 1 1/2 inches and place a mark in the center of the 1 1/2-inch edge. Drill down 3/4-inches on the mark. Remove the soapstone and place the opposite edge facing up. Secure it in the bench vise and repeat the process.

4. Use a black permanent marker and place a mark 18-inches from the end of the 3/16-inch cold rolled steel. Cut the rolled steel at the mark with a hacksaw.

5. Mark the 3/16-inch cold rolled steel at 3/4, 3 1/4, 9, 15 1/4, and 17 1/4-inches with a black marker.

6. Secure the 3/16-inch cold rolled steel in a bench vise at the first measurement of 3/4-inches. Bend the steel at a 90 degree angle. Repeat with the mark at 17 1/4-inches. Make sure the 90 degree ends of the steel are pointing the same direction.

7. Bend the marks at 3 1/4, 9, 15 1/4-inches at a 30 degree angle. Make sure the bent 90 degree ends face toward one another throughout the bending process. This item becomes a handle to better understand the direction the tips should take.

8. Pull the handle apart and slip an end in each drilled hole. The handle will hold the bed warmer tight.

Soapstone Oil Warmer

1. Use a 1/2-inch soapstone slab to make a soapstone oil warmer. Mark the soapstone with an awl drawn along the edge of a ruler and make six squares 6- by 6-inches and two rectangles 5- by 6-inches. Just etch the top surface of the soapstone with the awl. The line is used as a cutting line.

2. Rough cut the six pieces from the soapstone with a jigsaw. Cut at least one inch away from the etched line. Finish cut the six soapstone pieces from the soapstone slab with a bandsaw. Use a fine-toothed saw blade to prevent chipping. Do not force the soapstone. Push it into the blade slowly and evenly.

3. Etch an arch on a 5- by 6-inch square. Place the arch on one of the 5-inch ends. Draw the arch 3-inches wide and and either 1 1/2- or 2-inches tall. Use a bandsaw and cut out the arch.

4. Draw a design on a 5- by 6-inch square to allow for air to get into the interior of the box. Etch the design into the soapstone surface using an awl. Note: Make a simple stencil with a piece of paper. Draw the design on a piece of paper and cut it out. Place the paper stencil on the soapstone and draw around the cut out design with an awl.

5. Drill a small hole in each design area to be removed. Use a scroll saw to cut out each area. Unhook the blade from the scroll saw and place it through the hole. Reattach the blade and cut out the section. Remove the blade and move to the next cut out area.

6. Decide which side of the soapstone pieces are the outside. Place the outside face-up on a flat surface. Put masking tape 1/8-inch from all edges on the face of each piece of soapstone.

7. Mix the knife grade glue according to the directions. Place the glue in the center of a plastic gallon ice cream lid. Optional: Add color pigment at this time to match the color of the soapstone.

8. Box dimensions are 6- by 6- by 6-inches. Construct the side with two 6- by 6-inch and two 5- by 6-inch pieces of soapstone. Inset the two 5- by 6-inch pieces within two 6- by 6-inch pieces. Use a 6- by 6-inch cut soapstone for the top and bottom.

9. Use a plastic spreader knife and spread glue on the 6-inch edge of each 5- by 6-inch stone. Secure each edge on the backside of the 6- by 6- inch square stone so the outside dimension measures 6-inches. Remove any excess glue from the seams with the plastic spreader knife. Wrap a heavy rubberband around the outside of the box until set.

10. Apply glue to the top edge of the box. Center a 6- by 6-inch square on the top. Remove any excess glue with the plastic spreader knife. Repeat the process with the bottom of the box. Let set 24 hours before use.

References

• Stopstone International
• Creative Soapstone: What is Soapstone?
• M.M. Teixeira Soapstone: Do it Yourself Soapstone Projects