How to Cut Stone with Hand Tools

How to Cut Stone with Hand Tools | Ask This Old House

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Күн бұрын

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough demonstrates various techniques for cutting stone with hand tools.
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Mark demonstrates various techniques for cutting stone with hand tools.
Mark demonstrated a variety of stone cutting tools, including feather and wedges, a hand tracer, and a hand point. These can all be found at home centers and masonry supply stores.
Cost: $10 and up
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools:
Masonry drill [amzn.to/33EIibP]
Masonry hammer [amzn.to/2UfeIqq]
Feather and wedges [amzn.to/33HMAit]
Hand tracer [amzn.to/2UzYrLo]
Hand point [amzn.to/2WCwvcp]
Shopping List:
Stones
Steps:
1. Mark first demonstrated how to cut stone using a feather and wedge system:
a. Start by drilling holes in the stone along the line you want to cut.
b. Place the feathers on the outside of the hole and the wedge in between them.
c. Gently tap on the wedges using a hammer. Listen carefully and pay close attention to the vibrations in the hammer to ensure the rock is splitting slowly and carefully. This step should take some time.
d. Keep tapping on the wedges as needed until the stone splits.
2. Mark then demonstrated how to cut stone using a hand tracer:
a. Identify the line for the desired cut.
b. Place the hand tracer straight down on the line and tap the end of it with the hammer.
c. Slide the hand tracer along the line, tapping it with the hammer as you go. The goal is to create a channel for the tracer to eventually slide into.
d. Continue to slide the tracer and hit it with the hammer along this line until the stone splits.
3. Finally, Mark explained how to smooth out edges and cuts using a hand point:
a. Point the hand point along the bottom edge of any bumps.
b. Gently tap the hand point with a hammer and try to get underneath the bump.
c. Continue this process slowly and carefully until the bump separates from the stone.
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How to Cut Stone with Hand Tools | Ask This Old House
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Пікірлер: 268

@vincentconti3633 3 жыл бұрын

As a builder I often hired stone masons. They were the highest paid of my subs. I always thought they were soooo slow...till I started doing it myself!!!!

@mountainwolf1 2 жыл бұрын

Thats good you decided to do the work to see for yourself. To many employers choose quantity over quality and job sites turned home look like crap too many of us live in the top ramen day and age.

@ryanpedersen5722 2 жыл бұрын

Did they ever quote you the job? Or is it always hourly rate with them? Im assuming it would be hard to quote and work out man hours

@waynecummings5021 2 жыл бұрын

Yeh, instead of taking a hundred years to do one of them cathedrals me and you could knock one out in 10-15 years.

@rumhound5903 Жыл бұрын

I've tried looking for apprentice jobs but seems everyone is looking for guys w/ work experience. I feel in love with the idea of leaving behind a proud legacy.

@arniet1 Жыл бұрын

@@rumhound5903 Well, job vacancy or not....go do courses and do it outnof love.....whilst you're young, the rewards will surely come for you, and you'll look back one day, and be glad of the day you did the courses!

@jimbojones178 Жыл бұрын

Been landscaping for over a year now but just got put on my first stone job. Sandstone cladding on block pillars. So glad I fond this vid, doing it the hammer/chisel way. My hand's never hurt so much but I'm so glad I'm learning this skill! If done well the results are amazing

@ishnifusmeadle 3 жыл бұрын

As a this is may day job, anyone watching for tips: he set his feathers (shims) very high. Usually u set them so the dogs are almost engaging the stone from the start. 2 things happen if u set em that hi. 1st: on some stones ull end up burying the pin b4 it spliys and ull curl ur feathers effectively halfing their life, since when u bend em back theyll be weaker. 2nd: high feathers put the pressure closer to the top of the hole which can leaf to holes blowing out on certain stones. Another tip. If u need a lazer line , use a tracer or the like between the holes b4 inserting wedges. Most often itll help give u a clean line.

@nathanlamberson1256 Жыл бұрын

I find these rock cutting videos both VERY relaxing and satisfying to watch.

@MotleyStew 4 жыл бұрын

I never knew that I was interested in those until Now. Thanks for the info! 👌🏽

@LucidDreamer54321 2 жыл бұрын

The most skilled stonemasons I have ever seen were on Okinawa Island, Japan when they were building Murasaki Mura. And those people were working outside all day in very hot and humid weather.

@jake9705 4 жыл бұрын

An amazing craftsman. He made that look so easy.

@jimmyjohn5497 3 жыл бұрын

With 40 years experience everything is easy.

@robbiebouchart1551 2 жыл бұрын

I'd call the work at Giza amazing.. this is basic.

@unguidedone 4 жыл бұрын

i had no idea. I can apply this to so many projects.

@TatyanaValdaBelindaHill 5 ай бұрын

This is so helpful - especially the last part of fixing the uneven split. 🙏🏼💐

@greencello599 4 жыл бұрын

In some quarries, the holes are drilled but a different method is used to split stone. Instead of wedges, water is poured into the holes. Leave it over night, water freezes and splits the stone as the ice expands.

@jeandutton2975 4 жыл бұрын

how do you cut during warm weather haha

@greencello599 4 жыл бұрын

@@jeandutton2975 Stone quarries in higher elevations can have the sun bearing down on them in July, and you still need a jacket. Higher elevation has thinner air, and air retains heat. The thinner the air, the colder it is. Where I live, there is a terrific view of the mountains, and even though it's almost June, snow can still be seen on them. Warm weather in the lower elevations doesn't translate to the higher ones.

@neuralherd8974 2 жыл бұрын

Sina stairway

@glennlopez6772 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video! I've been wanting to see this and really satisfied.

@t.regnerus301 4 жыл бұрын

The stone whisperer. A heavy skill to learn.

@alexclaar475 3 жыл бұрын

Stoned whisperer..

@alpinecontentsolutions5926 2 жыл бұрын

This comment rocks

@aaronmackay6123 2 жыл бұрын

Certain to get into some hard places with that skill.

@user-hq9bh5gi5t 2 ай бұрын

@@aaronmackay6123Yup, double hip replacement surgery 20 years later.

@remodelassets6523 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent demonstration 💯👍

@paolobuffa6889 2 жыл бұрын

Nice demonstration of competence! The craft of the stonemason now has a modern dignity. Long ago there were no diamond saws and widia drill bits: only a great deal of patience and expert sensitivity.

@geomodelrailroader 2 жыл бұрын

yup and Feathering is a lost craft and it takes a master to do this trade.

@paddlerofrivers7413 Жыл бұрын

You mean that ancient peoples could have cut out rocks with shaped pieces of metal and pure muscle? Not aliens? Lol

@waynegalvin4639 4 жыл бұрын

Love to try that!

@martiangaming329 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely Awesome 👏! Thank You 🙏🏻

@stevew.wheeler9852 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent. Thank you.

@rekharanibala4508 3 жыл бұрын

Master of rock cutting 👌👏👏👍

@cadnorcwm6107 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant, well done John (Wales Uk)

@SRLGemstone Жыл бұрын

It looks so easy, but it takes a master to carve that flat. Nice video.

@chrisphares4772 Жыл бұрын

No,just patience

@100daystilpay 3 жыл бұрын

The shop that they're in reminds me of the Tool Time shop from the show Home Improvement.

@robhi3518 9 ай бұрын

Sunshine mate, spot on. Thanks for sharing

@RickyD1968 2 жыл бұрын

That was Awesome !!!

@samosdolphins123 2 жыл бұрын

thank you for the tutorial sir. I would like to cut hard stones with a chisel held in a vice. I have a collection of hard stones like quartz, jasper, agate, nephrite, but i have not invested in a vice yet . Is it possible to chisel these stones ? i want to shape them too so delicate work. I dont want to use power tools like grinders and bench saws i want to do it the old school way but i am not sure if these mohs scale 7 or higher stones like corundum can be chiseled to shape? thank you

@johnduncan5117 3 жыл бұрын

Fascinating !

@DanteDiamonte 4 жыл бұрын

Sweet video !

@snort455 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@watchdo9298 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice work...

@bird271828 4 жыл бұрын

Wow at 3:35 😮 Great video.

@MrFalch 3 жыл бұрын

All the useless stones I have after digging my gardenpond and now trying to make them fit in a waterfall and edging the pond - After seeing this, now I can probarly use them all!

@taunteratwill1787 2 жыл бұрын

Yup you probarly can! 😄

@cpt8424 2 жыл бұрын

Did you try it? You've had a whole year

@MrFalch 2 жыл бұрын

@@cpt8424 Hi yeah with good luck and here's the result: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p9qBdpaZmd66ZKs.html

@hermit.masteroflight5970 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating 😳

@MyFortressConstruction 4 жыл бұрын

If you played outside when you were a kid, then you're already 3/4 there.

@vincentconti3633 3 жыл бұрын

Oh that brings back memories...thanx...I have long realized how early I learned to use my hands and my head...we were banging nails at ten.... stealing them along with pieces of lumber from all the houses being built for us boomers...those carpenters probably went nuts when they arrived in the morning and looked for that 2 by 4 they had cut for a jack the day before!!!! We only took short stuff cause it was easier to carry. And mostly took discarded bent nails...mostly...there were boxes of nails...8d....12...16...I'm sure they knew what was goin' on but let it go cause we didn't really take much...it was a close neighborhood...we were building our forts and tree huts just around the corner....they didn't even attempt to close up the job when they were framing.... luckily for the builders we didn't wire or plumb our huts... We could only get so much from a single ranch or cape before it was closed in..ten days or so...but there was always another foundation ready and waiting...ah the good old days....ya thanx again... probably why I became a carpenter and builder.... did quite well....lots of hours..... definitely worth it....I was fortunate to be where and when I was.....

@sen5i 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant comment. Thanks

@enginzengin 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@solomontown2808 Жыл бұрын

Very cool

@fib7632 3 жыл бұрын

those are some beautiful rocks, what is the second one?

@RM-vk2cg 2 жыл бұрын

was waiting for him to drill the holes by hand

@keykey1401 3 жыл бұрын

Can you use the same technique to cute a rough agate ?

@PaulPadoan 2 жыл бұрын

I can attest that it is a great feeling when a stone cracks up.

@dabneegxavtxawj1957 Жыл бұрын

Good job from lao

@drummerglenchin 2 жыл бұрын

Where do you get high quality tools for this trade?

@sandyshell8149 12 күн бұрын

How did you drill the holes? Drill bit?

@salimyasini3100 2 ай бұрын

As a Physicist I've taken much interest in Stone Masonry, Carpentry and welding. Enjoying the best of both Science and A Makers Mindset🤌🏽.... I've also used what I studied to understand why certain materials cut the way they do. At Our Dpt we did research on how to create composite cutting tools

@fbmbassist 3 жыл бұрын

Holy cow! I thought there's no way this can work, and then 3 seconds later the rock was split in half.

@nwalter00 Ай бұрын

Is it possible to use a chisel that is not carbide tip? I don't know that I'm ready to invest in that, but trying a regular chisel and I'm struggling to get an indentation in some sandstone pieces. Thank you!

@alanalves8991 2 жыл бұрын

Precious

@hebber1961 2 жыл бұрын

The hard part is finding stones with perfect holes where you want them.

@peterdinkler4950 2 жыл бұрын

Lol

@fiddlefarts 3 жыл бұрын

How do u make the holes though

@Trenchcoat3 2 жыл бұрын

We gonna need this guy after the apocalypse

@adamcarter6862 2 жыл бұрын

Oh, I was looking for ways to cut hands with stone tools.

@kamelsamer5768 Жыл бұрын

2:22 I think he should have made a path on all sides. he would have more control over how the stone would crack if he did that. Nice work and that was amazing demonstration.

@jodyswallow1008 2 жыл бұрын

If you're using a drill would you not use a grinder also?

@brikkijim 2 жыл бұрын

I like how he drilled almost all the way through the stone.

@sa-md5bk 3 жыл бұрын

waw idk why i like that 😍😂❤

@sklee1644 Жыл бұрын

Can we use a electrical cutter to cut the line?

@desimation 8 ай бұрын

How do I drill the initial holes

@lilmixdboy Жыл бұрын

I didn't have that metal stake thingy so I just used 2 hammers. 1 to hammer the backside of the other hammer as a chisel

@CMAenergy 2 жыл бұрын

I have a huge decorative stone about 4 to 5 feet in diameter Want to make a few table tops from it What is the best and simplest method to cut this by hand, Have not the funds to have it done professionally Wanting the slabs to be about 3 inches thick, do you think you could give some good advice how to cut it and flatten it and finishing it this will be my first attempt, thanks

@terrydoucette6037 3 жыл бұрын

I’d like to see you try this with Agates or jaspers,sure it works great on granite or softer material

@sen5i 3 жыл бұрын

True, but you don't see many dry stone walls and patios made from Agate or Jaspers

@georgebecker1191 2 жыл бұрын

The best stone tools come from Trow and Holden Barre Vt. They have been making stone tools forever! They are the best in the world!

@thomasrobertson187 Жыл бұрын

I recognized the tracer & point chisels in the video as T & H... as a backyard hobby, I have been working stone for 30 years and only recently upgraded many of my tools... I now have a set of T & H chisels, which are not cheap... but... you cannot do your best work with cheap tools.

@johncollins8304 2 жыл бұрын

Is this 'sedimentary ' stone that is going to split nicely? Can't you just make your line with a grinder, the chisel to split? And a wide booster chisel, no good? Thanks!

@montanaspring7176 4 жыл бұрын

he knows how to stone.. i would do that for a fireplace. Over brick of coarse.

@clarencetaylor7455 4 жыл бұрын

Montana Spring haha

@griffstratz6495 8 ай бұрын

How do you sharpen a stone chisel??

@geomodelrailroader 2 жыл бұрын

feathering is the process of shaping a block by hitting it with a chisel and a mallet. Marble dust or diamond powder is pored into the hole with a wedge and when the chisel is struck it shapes the block. Many of the temples in the ancient and modern word were made this way and although some stonecutters have adopted technology some do it the old fashion way. Feathering is used for tombstones because most most masons don't have power tools and because of the age of the stone using a router on it to carve a name or date is a bad idea.

@rexrodecolt 2 жыл бұрын

Wow

@aleli5105 2 жыл бұрын

Maestro!👏👏👏👏👏

@stickykitty 3 жыл бұрын

This is freaking awesome!! How do we do holes? Like how do we make drill holes the old way Without power drills

@thugpug4392 3 жыл бұрын

I'd imagine it's a similar concept to a cork. You'd just keep twisting a spiraling blade into the rock

@defeatedskeptic311 3 жыл бұрын

@@thugpug4392 That could work given a strong enough bit; it might be particularly viable if you have some sort of water-wheel to drive the bit. The technique I have seen used was just using a 4-point bit (not unlike a Philips head). You take small wacks at the bit and keep turning it in a spiral and pour water into the hole in small amount to form a sort of mud you can easily remove and it also keeps down the amount of stone you breath in; it looks very time consuming. I believe Mr.Chikadee has some videos on it.

@travisc6226 2 жыл бұрын

star drill

@chrisparker8539 4 жыл бұрын

I literally thought this was a joke episode because the guy on the right looked like he was covered from head to toe in gray clay in the thumbnail. I thought it was a joke about how cutting stones with water makes you gray.

@1svsoulmate 4 жыл бұрын

Is there a grain to look for?

@MisterTee2010 4 жыл бұрын

Like cutting a diamond. There is a grain. Called a cleavage. Same as in wood. It is not easily found. But it is there.

@TomKaren94 3 жыл бұрын

How about a handheld wire saw?

@littlepigboy 5 ай бұрын

The tracer would have resulted in a better and cleaner cut had he traced the entire stone turning each time in a clockwise or counter,manner but never a mix of the two directions. Keep it slow, low, & accurate. Still p cool. Thank you for posting ❤

@LubaLuba1 3 жыл бұрын

Question I am cutting 2" h by 4" wide by 18" long now I want to cut a split face cut so i dont want to use a saw. So would cut with tool along the line and wide Chisel 3" or 1" so my cut will be across the 4" .

@GreenCanvasInteriorscape 2 жыл бұрын

Yes No Maybe

@vladimirvladimirovich8081 3 жыл бұрын

Какие замечательные были камни , правильной прямоугольной формы ! Зачем же было их раскалывать? Взяли бы бесформенную глыбу и придали бы ей прямоугольную форму !

@JAMamation 3 жыл бұрын

All this effort for one stone. Now imagine building a medieval stone castle!

@CanaldoPerfil96 3 жыл бұрын

With lots of servants and slaves, it's easy

@LofiFallout 2 жыл бұрын

Good Mason's had their own servants to sharpen chissels and feed them in the wealthiest houses. The Mason was a revered part of many centuries of history

@iandanger883 Жыл бұрын

@@LofiFallout The industrial revolution pooped all over that practice...

@Varun-re1il 2 жыл бұрын

Once visit belur and halebeedu temples😀

@nopyliamcgyver2962 2 жыл бұрын

Are you f****** kidding me?!?!?!? That is such a clean edge! My mind has been blown! I'm about to cut stone and was looking into buying expensive machinery. Well, screw that. This is so much better.

@lanceblack888 2 жыл бұрын

Can you split granite with a tracer or a point? That looks like soft stone you’re splitting there.

@brikkijim 2 жыл бұрын

A trace can split granite easily. Just have to make sure you are not near the edge. Been using tracers and sets for granite fireplaces for years. A point is great for high spots. Don't over do the point chisel all at once. It will heat up and break.

@jianfabentsai2438 3 жыл бұрын

If you hold a chisel with one hand and bang on the chisel with a hammer on the other hand, after months or years of banging, your muscles, nerves and bones will be damaged early. Business opportunity to sell a T shaped chisel with handle which allows the user to flexibly complete most of the tasks like the normal I shaped chisel but ergonomically prevents majority of the banging force from affecting the hand holding the chisel. This will extend the working life of the tradie which max profits and salary increase.

@The_One_Cosmos 2 жыл бұрын

I noticed in all these videos they never show or mention hearing protection. But, you should always protect your hearing, eyes, and breathing passages if harmful dust is involved. Safety first is a high standard in my experience

@VictorNewman201 2 жыл бұрын

Good point!

@zorrothegreyishblade3339 Жыл бұрын

That would interfere with listening to the rock

@The_One_Cosmos 8 ай бұрын

@@zorrothegreyishblade3339One listens internally, it's not with the physical ears so much. And if you don't protect your physical hearing, you will surely lose it more and more.

@winrawrisyou 7 ай бұрын

@@The_One_Cosmos Not to mention that you will still hear it very clearly with full hearing protection. Hammering stuff is LOUD.

@getsmartpaul 3 жыл бұрын

So, how did you drill the 3 holes in the beginning ? :)

@grazvydasartiomovas1719 3 жыл бұрын

Drilled the holes with a diamond drill bit

@nathan87 2 жыл бұрын

@@grazvydasartiomovas1719 No power tools though, just the drill bit and his bare hands.

@robertkattner1997 4 жыл бұрын

I watched the rest now, next show us how to cut a diamond.

@mikefasan325 4 жыл бұрын

Nice. Precut stone that you showed in the video;)

@gary24752 2 жыл бұрын

If you had scored a line with a grinder would the break have followed the score rather than the grain of the stone?

@charliefox9424 2 жыл бұрын

Its a bit of a game of luck depending how close to the grain you are and what kind of stone also.

@Morristown337 Жыл бұрын

Is there an ancient method like when Hannibal crossed the Alps? Perhaps start with the 2nd method and as soon as you get a troph pour a chemical in that will make the stone come apart very easy?

@lukeleidiger2126 4 жыл бұрын

Does this work with small granite boulders? I have some in my lawn that I’d like to turn into walking stones.

@metalbob3335 3 жыл бұрын

There is a place in Indiana, Evansville maybe... that did the limestone walls to the Pentagon in huge one piece slabs like it was lazer straight they could tell you how to cut the stone possibly via email .

@danielsterling4918 3 жыл бұрын

You can do it to granite but granite is one of the hardest if not the hardest stone. Most likely wont get it perfectly flat and whatnot with hand tools but you can cut and shape it with enough patience and care yes

@GreenCanvasInteriorscape 2 жыл бұрын

Buy/get flagstone

@conqueringlion420 3 жыл бұрын

Yes its always preferred to lay your thumb down right next to the hammer for no reason

@Sash_Window 4 жыл бұрын

How would I get into stone masonry?

@TheFPSCENTRAL 4 жыл бұрын

Find a masonry contractor local to you and see if you can start an apprenticeship with them. It’s a skill that takes time to master, so don’t expect to learn overnight.

@paulp1008 4 жыл бұрын

Here..they`re hiring........kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aNlhZrtnm6iqlGw.html

@edzachary8657 4 жыл бұрын

@@paulp1008 now that was funny

@williamwoody7607 2 жыл бұрын

Did he name the type of stone?

@Crystalheard 2 жыл бұрын

One question: does the type of stone matter? I have been trying to chisel a big stone in my yard but cannot cut a single piece off.

@nopyliamcgyver2962 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely. You'll find that some stone breaks a lot easier than other stone. I have two types in my garden and it's impressive just how different they are. It's worth finding out what you can find in your area.

@charliefox9424 2 жыл бұрын

@@nopyliamcgyver2962 Agreed and to add to this its a lot easier to split stone by going with its sedimentry layers like ol mate did in the video.

@terrydoucette6037 3 жыл бұрын

Expensive carbide tools you should mention ,Being a mason iv used these tools but they aren’t cheap

@brikkijim 2 жыл бұрын

They do last forever if cared for. I have a set of 12 different types.

@johnepperson8867 4 жыл бұрын

Ok, that was one stone, 10,000 more to go.

@c31979839 4 жыл бұрын

And that's why masons are so expensive! It takes forever to break stone.

@johnepperson8867 4 жыл бұрын

@@c31979839 So True!

@kalijasin 2 жыл бұрын

He’s highly skilled.

@picometer472 2 ай бұрын

Does it work with granite?

@Hellmood_CZ Ай бұрын

well yes, its a rock as a rock

@jackriley5974 11 ай бұрын

Showed the round field stone but shied away from them? Many years ago I knew of a man who split them without a tool. He would stack them up as a backer for a roaring fire, and after they were hot he would throw cold water on them??

@jongray4828 3 жыл бұрын

Cutting stone with hand tools? How’d he drill the holes?

@stevepseudonym445 2 жыл бұрын

It's a safe bet that he used a hammer drill, but it can still be done with a hammer and star drill, just like it had to be done in the past. Slightly related trivia: rock climbers in Yosemite National Park are allowed to drill holes and install expansion bolts to protect climbs, but they're not allowed to use power tools and have to drill all of the holes by hand.