Garreco Tecstone vs Fastone vs Labstone: Which Dental Stone Do You Need?
Garreco Tecstone vs Fastone vs Labstone comes down mostly to setting time and how you work: Tecstone gives the most working time, Fastone has the same strength and expansion with a faster set, and Labstone is a smooth, all purpose stone with the quickest set of the three. All three are Type III stones from Garreco, and Chase Dental Supply carries each one in 25 lb and 50 lb boxes.
Below we compare the published specs, explain where each stone fits, and help you decide which one, or which combination, your lab should keep on the shelf.
Quick Answer
Garreco Tecstone, Fastone and Labstone are all Type III dental stones mixed at 30 ml water per 100 g powder. Tecstone sets in 13 to 15 minutes at 9,000 psi. Fastone matches Tecstone’s 9,000 psi and 0.12% expansion but sets in 10 to 12 minutes. Labstone sets in 8 to 10 minutes at 8,500 psi and is a fine all purpose stone for smooth casts.
Key Takeaways
- All three are Type III base stones with 0.12% listed expansion and the same 30 ml:100 g water to powder ratio.
- Tecstone and Fastone share a 9,000 psi compressive strength; Labstone is listed at 8,500 psi.
- Setting times: Tecstone 13 to 15 min, Fastone 10 to 12 min, Labstone 8 to 10 min.
- Tecstone and Fastone are recommended for denture models, flasking and basing crown and bridge models.
- Fastone has the most color choices: buff, golden, blue and white.
What is Garreco Tecstone?
Tecstone is a Type III base stone from Garreco designed for versatility across denture, flasking and crown and bridge base work. It is the stone many labs treat as their default model stone.
Garreco describes Garreco Tecstone as having a creamy mix, moderate compressive strength and superior outward hardness. It is recommended for full or partial denture models, flasking, and basing crown and bridge models.
- Setting time: 13 to 15 minutes
- Water to powder ratio: 30 ml to 100 g
- Compressive strength: 9,000 psi
- Expansion: 0.12%
- Colors: buff, white, blue
The longer set gives you more time to pour full arches carefully, vibrate stone into deep areas and pour multiple impressions from one mix. That makes Tecstone a good fit for denture labs and for techs who pour several cases at once.
Tecstone vs Fastone: what is the difference?
The main difference is setting time. Fastone offers the same characteristics as Tecstone with a faster set, so you can separate and move on sooner.
Garreco Fastone is listed at 10 to 12 minutes, compared with 13 to 15 minutes for Tecstone. Both stones share a 9,000 psi compressive strength, 0.12% expansion and a 30 ml to 100 g water to powder ratio. Garreco recommends Fastone for full or partial denture models, denture flasking and basing crown and bridge models.
Fastone is also the most flexible stone for color coding. It comes in buff, golden, blue and white, and it is offered in 10 kg and 25 kg metric sizes for international customers on request in addition to 25 lb and 50 lb boxes.
Choose Fastone when turnaround matters more than working time, such as a busy lab pouring single models through the day. Stay with Tecstone when you need a longer window for larger or multiple pours.
What is Garreco Labstone and when should you use it?
Labstone is a fine, all purpose Type III base stone compounded to produce smooth, strong casts. It suits general model work across multiple applications.
Garreco Labstone is listed at an 8 to 10 minute set, 8,500 psi compressive strength and 0.12% expansion, with the same 30 ml to 100 g ratio as Tecstone and Fastone. It comes in blue or buff.
Labstone is a practical choice for study models, diagnostic casts, orthodontic records and offices that pour their own models. Its short set keeps chairside and in office lab work moving.
Compare them on your own bench
Chase Dental Supply carries Garreco Tecstone, Fastone and Labstone in 25 lb and 50 lb boxes so you can stock the right stone for each job.
Tecstone vs Fastone vs Labstone: side by side
Here is how the three general purpose stones compare, with Garreco Mounting Stone included as the fast set articulating option. Specs come from Garreco’s published product information.
| Product | Setting time | Compressive strength | Expansion | Colors | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garreco Tecstone | 13 to 15 min | 9,000 psi | 0.12% | Buff, white, blue | Denture models, flasking, crown and bridge bases |
| Garreco Fastone | 10 to 12 min | 9,000 psi | 0.12% | Buff, golden, blue, white | Same uses as Tecstone with faster turnaround |
| Garreco Labstone | 8 to 10 min | 8,500 psi | 0.12% | Blue, buff | Study models and general purpose casts |
| Garreco Mounting Stone | 3 to 5 min | 9,000 psi | 0.09% | White, grey | Articulating, implant cases, rapid models |
For background on how Type III stones differ from Type II plaster and Type IV die stone, read Dental Stone Types Explained.
Which Garreco stone should I choose?
Pick the stone that matches your workflow: working time for complex cases, speed for high volume single pours, and a smooth all purpose stone for diagnostic models.
Full service and denture labs
Tecstone is the natural default because it covers denture models, flasking and crown and bridge bases with generous working time. Many labs add Fastone in a second color for rush cases.
High volume crown and bridge labs
Fastone or Garreco Mounting Stone for bases and mounting keeps cases moving. Mounting Stone was developed for implant cases where low expansion matters, and its 0.09% listed expansion is the lowest in the Garreco line.
Dental offices, ortho offices and schools
Labstone is a good single stone for study models and records, and its blue or buff colors make it easy to tell apart from plaster. For articulating, pair it with Garreco Dental Plaster, a Type II plaster available in slow, regular and fast sets.
Labs that flask in volume
Tecstone and Fastone can be used for flasking, but Garreco Flasking Stone is formulated specifically for it, with rapid heat transfer during boil out and quick divesting.
Whichever you choose, mix by weight and volume and consider vacuum mixing for void free models. Our Whip Mix Vac-U-Mixer guide covers vacuum mixing, and our model pouring tips walk through technique. You can also compare every brand we carry in the dental lab and office supply brands guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fastone the same as Tecstone?
Garreco describes Fastone as offering the same characteristics as Tecstone with a faster setting time. Both are Type III stones listed at 9,000 psi compressive strength, 0.12% expansion and a 30 ml to 100 g water to powder ratio. Fastone sets in 10 to 12 minutes compared with 13 to 15 minutes for Tecstone.
Which Garreco stone sets the fastest?
Among Tecstone, Fastone and Labstone, Labstone has the shortest listed setting time at 8 to 10 minutes. Garreco Mounting Stone is faster still at 3 to 5 minutes, but it is an articulating stone designed for mounting and implant cases rather than a general purpose model stone.
What is Labstone used for?
Garreco Labstone is a fine all purpose Type III base stone compounded to produce smooth, strong casts for multiple applications. Labs use it for study models, diagnostic casts and general model work. It is listed at 8,500 psi with 0.12% expansion and comes in blue or buff.
Can Tecstone be used for crown and bridge work?
Garreco recommends Tecstone for basing crown and bridge models, as well as full and partial denture models and flasking. Dies themselves are usually poured in a Type IV die stone, with a Type III stone such as Tecstone used for the base.
What colors do Tecstone, Fastone and Labstone come in?
Garreco Tecstone comes in buff, white and blue. Fastone comes in buff, golden, blue and white. Labstone comes in blue or buff. Chase Dental Supply carries all three in 25 lb and 50 lb sizes.
Related Guides
For most labs, the answer to Tecstone vs Fastone vs Labstone is not one stone but the right two: a working time stone and a faster one, or a model stone plus a plaster for articulating. Browse the full Garreco lineup at Chase Dental Supply, or email sales@chasedentalsupply.com with questions about colors and sizes.
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Pick your stone, color and 25 lb or 50 lb size, or call us and we will help you choose.
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