I am an experienced Carpenter - Can I fabricate Granite ?

[Nathan]

I'm a finish carpenter of many years with a decent head on my shoulders.  The pricing of granite fabrication for my personal home has been outrageous.  With the right blades, bits, pads, ect. can I apply the same concepts of wood to stone and yield a decent finished product.  If so, any suggestions or references would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Mark D.]

Working stone is very similar to working wood, just different tools.
We have a DVD set for the do it yourselfer which would be good for the first timer also. Here is the link:
http://www.defusco.com/buy-all-here-save-fabricating-stone-dvds-p-2478.html

After watching this video, and depending on what you are doing you will need:
a skilsaw, a variable speed grinder, a Level or long straight edge, C Clamps. We can provide as much or as little of this as you neeed, but since youa re a carpenter you probably already have all of these. You will also need:

A diamond blade suitable for your material for the Skilsaw
http://www.defusco.com/supreme-granite-turbo-blade-p-1821.html

A grinding cup for roughing in your shape
http://www.defusco.com/5811-brazed-concave-cup-p-2006.html

A router bit (several to choose from). These will work wet or dry and can be used on your grinder as they have a 5/8"-11 threade arbor.
http://www.defusco.com/diamond-products-grinder-shaping-bits-c-25_621.html

Diamond sandpaper for the transition between the grind and the polishing process. You only need the 60 & 120 grit. They are velcro backed and will work on the grinder using the backer pad you will use for the polishing pads.
http://www.defusco.com/electro-diamond-sandpaper-grit-p-2072.html
http://www.defusco.com/electro-diamond-sandpaper-120-grit-p-2073.html

Polishing pads and a backer for polishing.
http://www.defusco.com/resin-dry-polishing-pad-full-set-p-2009.html
http://www.defusco.com/flexible-backing-pad-velcro-p-1939.html

If you are doing an undermount sink you will need:
A grinding drum
http://www.defusco.com/58%E2%80%9D11-brazed-drum-coarse-p-2228.html

A core bit
http://www.defusco.com/38%E2%80%9D-58%E2%80%9D11-seg-dry-stone-core-bit-vbb-p-2377.html

You might need a concave blade if you are doing an oval or circular sink
http://www.defusco.com/specialty-fabricating-tools-5%E2%80%9Dx7858%E2%80%9D-concave-diamond-blade-prem-c-25_35_489.html

If you have seams you will need polyester glue or epoxy
http://www.defusco.com/glues-epoxy-polyester-etc-epoxies-c-82_500.html
http://www.defusco.com/glues-epoxy-polyester-etc-polyester-resins-c-82_501.html

and you can color it to match your stone
http://www.defusco.com/glues-epoxy-polyester-etc-coloring-kits-c-82_504.html

Don't forget the sealer to protect your investment.
http://www.defusco.com/glues-epoxy-polyester-etc-hydrex-sealer-c-82_502.html

If you have questions (and I am SURE you will), feel free to contact me at 800-289-68343.
Mark