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soapstone frustration

15 years ago

Well, I measured and measured, and came up with the three sizes of slabs I needed, and they were listed on my price list that M.Tex sent me. So I emailed them asking for a price. Today I got a nice reply but with 3 84 x 26 slabs - so no 30" slabs. sigh. one bank of my cabinets needs a 30" deep countertop.

So should I just wait until later, or should I piece the thing? I was hoping to have as few seams as possible. (DIY)

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Comments (10)

growlery
15 years ago
Apparently, not all the stones come in the wide width.

Was it an Indian stone you asked about? Those are apparently the ones that are narrow. The Brazilian ones are wider. I've read here it has to do with the machinery they use to quarry it. So waiting won't help that.
coleen3201118
15 years ago
I was just at M. Tex today. I saw some big slabs there. What kind are you after?
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flatcoat2004
15 years ago
I would call them and ask, maybe they didn't catch that detail. I have 30" deep Julia counters from MTex, it wasn't a problem.
nanapeg
15 years ago
My perimeter counters are Python from M.Tex. and as I have a three inch bump out at the sink and also at the stove they had no trouble in getting me 29" slabs for these areas. I would definitely call and ask; worked with Leo and he was GREAT!
nomorebluekitchen
15 years ago
I went through the same thing with the variety that I chose from M. Tex. It was so frustrating!

Over the weekend I looked at Dorado Soapstone (doradosoapstone.com) and they had one that looks very much like what I wanted from M. Tex. They have larger slabs AND their prices are better. I am getting a sample sent to me so I'm not sure yet if I'm going with them, but it is worth checking them out. I talked to Jim who was really nice and helpful.

Anita
florida_joshua
15 years ago
The soapstone that you are looking for seems to me like it is not a variety that is producing much at this time. . . Many people don't understand that a lot of these quarries are relatively small and when they don't produce a lot, because of various reasons, it is hard to get certain varieties. A lot of times the only thing certain suppliers have in stock is whatever they can get from that particular quarry. . . The fact that M. Tex carries what they do and also carries the most variety and quantity in the U.S. says something. . .

From my experience the Indian slabs are usually 30 inches in width. So your stone is probably not an Indian variety.

If youÂre going to diy, I wouldn't recommend seaming length wise. I wouldn't do it as a fabricator unless the situation is perfect . . . like when I can book match the stone. I doubt you will be able to order stone that you can book match. . . I've only had that situation come up one time in the past.

So donÂt get frustrated with the supplier because of reasons they cannot control. . . Also one thing I have found is that communication is key. Sometimes miscommunication is the problem and they may have thought that the 26 inch rips would have better suited you being a diyÂer, less for you to do.

One thing I would like to know is what specific variety you are after, and I can tell you if anyone else carries that variety even if they call it a different name.

Nomorebluekitchen, I also would like to know the variety you were after and what dorado had that was similar. . .
bettycbowen
Original Author
15 years ago
Wow, lots of information, thanks, I'll read these more closely today. I am using Julia, and the price sheet they sent a couple of weeks ago listed all primarily 30" "with some 26" available", so it was just a surprise. I'm not frustrated with the company really, just that I spent hours working out the templates and now have to do it all over.

My impression of Julia is that is is quiet enough that the seams won't be very obvious. I think I will only have to seam lengthwise in one place - between the bar slab and cooktop slab
Thanks everybody
willowdecor
15 years ago
I have 42" X 120" center island with no seams from M. Tex.- Santa Rita Venata. Call again and explain your issue. You are probably talking to the wrong person. I had a great experience working with them. I would recommend visiting them if you could - Nothing beats seeing your slabs in person.
florida_joshua
15 years ago
Last time I talked with Roger he was running low on Julia. It is a big seller for him (he said) so hopefully he was able to get another container in by now. It's really pretty stone.

Here is a seam of a job I did near Miami. . .Julia is really easy to get the seams to match. I even bookmatched these pieces, not perfect but you can still tell in real life. Photo's typically don't show soapstone like the naked eye sees it.

{{!gwi}}
nomorebluekitchen
15 years ago
I have exactly the same issue with my island - basically, all of the varieties I liked from M. Tex were only available in 26 or 30 and thus would need a seam in my island.

I talked to 3 different people at M. Tex (one in Denver and 2 in New Jersey) so I think I was getting the real deal. I just had the impression that what they're getting right now is small slabs.

Anita

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