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

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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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27 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 270

@vincentconti3633 3 года назад

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 года назад

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 года назад

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 года назад

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 2 года назад

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 Год назад

@@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 Год назад

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 года назад

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.

@jake9705 4 года назад

An amazing craftsman. He made that look so easy.

@jimmyjohn5497 3 года назад

With 40 years experience everything is easy.

@robbiebouchart1551 2 года назад

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

@LucidDreamer54321 3 года назад

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.

@nathanlamberson1256 Год назад

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

@greencello599 4 года назад

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 года назад

how do you cut during warm weather haha

@greencello599 4 года назад

@@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 года назад

Sina stairway

@MotleyStew 4 года назад

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

@t.regnerus301 4 года назад

The stone whisperer. A heavy skill to learn.

@alexclaar475 3 года назад

Stoned whisperer..

@alpinecontentsolutions5926 2 года назад

This comment rocks

@aaronmackay6123 2 года назад

Certain to get into some hard places with that skill.

@user-hq9bh5gi5t 3 месяца назад

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

@glennlopez6772 3 года назад

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

@unguidedone 4 года назад

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

@remodelassets6523 3 года назад

Excellent demonstration 💯👍

@TatyanaValdaBelindaHill 6 месяцев назад

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

@waynegalvin4639 4 года назад

Love to try that!

@martiangaming329 3 года назад

Absolutely Awesome 👏! Thank You 🙏🏻

@paolobuffa6889 2 года назад

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 года назад

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

@paddlerofrivers7413 Год назад

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

@stevew.wheeler9852 3 года назад

Excellent. Thank you.

@DanteDiamonte 4 года назад

Sweet video !

@cadnorcwm6107 4 года назад

Brilliant, well done John (Wales Uk)

@johnduncan5117 3 года назад

Fascinating !

@rekharanibala4508 3 года назад

Master of rock cutting 👌👏👏👍

@RickyD1968 2 года назад

That was Awesome !!!

@snort455 3 года назад

Excellent!

@100daystilpay 3 года назад

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

@robhi3518 11 месяцев назад

Sunshine mate, spot on. Thanks for sharing

@MrFalch 4 года назад

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 3 года назад

Yup you probarly can! 😄

@cpt8424 2 года назад

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

@MrFalch 2 года назад

@@cpt8424 Hi yeah with good luck and here's the result: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qtQC3h4xV4w.html

@watchdo9298 2 года назад

Very nice work...

@SRLGemstone Год назад

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

@chrisphares4772 Год назад

No,just patience

@bird271828 4 года назад

Wow at 3:35 😮 Great video.

@hermit.masteroflight5970 2 года назад

Fascinating 😳

@RM-vk2cg 2 года назад

was waiting for him to drill the holes by hand

@enginzengin 3 года назад

Thanks.

@solomontown2808 2 года назад

Very cool

@MyFortressConstruction 4 года назад

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

@vincentconti3633 3 года назад

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 года назад

Brilliant comment. Thanks

@samosdolphins123 2 года назад

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

@fbmbassist 3 года назад

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

@nopyliamcgyver2962 2 года назад

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.

@dabneegxavtxawj1957 Год назад

Good job from lao

@PaulPadoan 2 года назад

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

@Trenchcoat3 2 года назад

We gonna need this guy after the apocalypse

@fib7632 3 года назад

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

@kamelsamer5768 Год назад

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.

@littlepigboy 6 месяцев назад

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 ❤

@montanaspring7176 4 года назад

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

@clarencetaylor7455 4 года назад

Montana Spring haha

@brikkijim 2 года назад

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

@salimyasini3100 3 месяца назад

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

@sa-md5bk 3 года назад

waw idk why i like that 😍😂❤

@georgebecker1191 3 года назад

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 2 года назад

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.

@lilmixdboy Год назад

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

@drummerglenchin 2 года назад

Where do you get high quality tools for this trade?

@alanalves8991 2 года назад

Precious

@chrisparker8539 4 года назад

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.

@keykey1401 3 года назад

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

@stickykitty 3 года назад

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

@thugpug4392 3 года назад

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

@defeatedskeptic311 3 года назад

@@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 года назад

star drill

@The_One_Cosmos 2 года назад

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 года назад

Good point!

@zorrothegreyishblade3339 Год назад

That would interfere with listening to the rock

@The_One_Cosmos 9 месяцев назад

@@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 8 месяцев назад

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

@nwalter00 2 месяца назад

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!

@geomodelrailroader 2 года назад

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.

@hebber1961 3 года назад

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

@peterdinkler4950 2 года назад

Lol

@vladimirvladimirovich8081 3 года назад

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

@jodyswallow1008 2 года назад

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

@adamcarter6862 3 года назад

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

@sandyshell8149 Месяц назад

How did you drill the holes? Drill bit?

@jianfabentsai2438 3 года назад

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.

@terrydoucette6037 3 года назад

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

@sen5i 3 года назад

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

@aleli5105 2 года назад

Maestro!👏👏👏👏👏

@CMAenergy 2 года назад

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

@1svsoulmate 4 года назад

Is there a grain to look for?

@MisterTee2010 4 года назад

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

@luckyvet 4 года назад

Global civilization Masons 10,800 years ago: Hold my beer

@johncollins8304 2 года назад

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!

@johnepperson8867 4 года назад

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

@c31979839 4 года назад

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

@johnepperson8867 4 года назад

@@c31979839 So True!

@rexrodecolt 2 года назад

Wow

@LubaLuba1 3 года назад

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 3 года назад

Yes No Maybe

@robertkat 4 года назад

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

@Aaackermann Год назад

But why do we need aliens then to do this job?

@sklee1644 Год назад

Can we use a electrical cutter to cut the line?

@terrydoucette6037 3 года назад

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

@brikkijim 2 года назад

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

@TomKaren94 4 года назад

How about a handheld wire saw?

@lanceblack888 3 года назад

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

@brikkijim 2 года назад

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.

@Varun-re1il 3 года назад

Once visit belur and halebeedu temples😀

@fiddlefarts 3 года назад

How do u make the holes though

@desimation 9 месяцев назад

How do I drill the initial holes

@mikefasan325 4 года назад

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

@Morristown337 Год назад

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?

@Crystalheard 2 года назад

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 года назад

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 года назад

@@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.

@tyd3407 2 года назад

5:02 alright I think it’s startin to PAWP.

@griffstratz6495 9 месяцев назад

How do you sharpen a stone chisel??

@getsmartpaul 3 года назад

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

@grazvydasartiomovas1719 3 года назад

Drilled the holes with a diamond drill bit

@nathan87 2 года назад

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

@gary24752 2 года назад

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 года назад

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

@aaronsaunders6974 24 дня назад

Your chisel’s bigger than mine. 😮

@Sash_Window 4 года назад

How would I get into stone masonry?

@TheFPSCENTRAL 4 года назад

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 года назад

Here..they`re hiring........ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2s13X66BFd8.html

@edzachary8657 4 года назад

@@paulp1008 now that was funny

@conqueringlion420 3 года назад

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

@pawpatina 3 года назад

*breaking 1:46 "that broke perfectly"

@mojo5345 3 года назад

Lmao he needs a bigger hammer and needs to hit it like he means it

@lukeleidiger2126 4 года назад

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

@metalbob3335 4 года назад

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 4 года назад

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 3 года назад

Buy/get flagstone

@JAMamation 3 года назад

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

@PerfilAtipico 3 года назад

With lots of servants and slaves, it's easy

@LofiFallout 2 года назад

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 Год назад

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

@jongray4828 3 года назад

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

@stevepseudonym445 3 года назад

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.