Slate

Hi
I am looking for some slate to make a few caves.
Anyone have some, or know where can I get some.
Tile places only want to sell me an entire box and not samples.
Just need 1 or 2 A4 size tiles
KM

 

If you go to the BIG tile places and tell them you need to check the color to your walls then they should be willing to give you a sample. :blink1: (Well it works in Cape Town )

 

Did just that at and they refuse to break open a box
also mentioned my wife needs to do the approval etc
also did not work

 

Hi Khalid,

I got mine from Mazista - they are sold as roof tiles (I only bought 5 or 6).

But please boil / wash them properly as they are often coated in oils. Also check that there are no iron deposits in the slate.

Hope that helps!

 

i just buy slate rock from landscaping places. looks more natural. go see my photo in the 2nd photo comp. its about R2.50 per KG

 

i wonder if builders express sells slate....

 

Sometimes the Builder's Warehouses carry stock. But I cannot believe that a tile shop would refuse to give you a tilr or 2. Slate doesn't come sealed in boxes. It comes in crates... it's open. Places like Mazista, Ferreira's Decor world, and most tile shops will supply you with 1, or 2 sample tiles. Unfortunately you will not get 2 of the same colour.

You know what else you can do... Go into a residential building estate. A LOT of people are using slate as tiles, and I am pretty sure you will find pieces lying around. Sadly we only have sandstone tiles on our building sites at the moment, so I can't help you with any.

 

If you are willing to drive to Sandton i'll bring some slate to the site where i am busy at the moment.Just let me know before 20:00 tonight

 

Thank you everyone. Argorn gave me some granite squares. A bit thick but should work.

 

Khalid,

The best way to make caves is to buy terracota or clay pots, perhaps the long narrow rose pots and then to cut them in half lengthwise using an angle grinder. Dirt cheap, buy a few extras in case you have breackages and get some tiler friend to help you.

Kind regards,

Dirk

 

Suggestion: when working with clay pots, put them in a bucket of water the day before, and it will be easier to cut and even use a hole saw (less dust!) and not so brittle.
For steadier caves, one can even use the clay wine rack brick (one's with 2 holes) - work well for malawi's and bigger cave dwellers.