How to Cut and Shape Stones | Ask This Old House
Roger Cook demonstrates how to cut and shape stones for hardscaping projects. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)
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Shopping List for How to Cut and Shape Stones:
- Stone of various sizes and shapes
Tools List for How to Cut and Shape Stones:
- Gas-powered cut-off saw with diamond blade [amzn.to/2GYzdRx], for sawing stone
- Right-angle grinder [amzn.to/2VKgEse] with diamond blade, used to cut stone
- Rotary-hammer drill [amzn.to/2Li69IT] with masonry bit, for boring holes into stone
- Small sledgehammer [amzn.to/2PElXE8], used to strike hand tools
- Wedges and feathers [amzn.to/2IXiCzQ], for splitting stone
- Hand tracer [amzn.to/2DFHbwz], for splitting stone
- Stone buster [amzn.to/2vyRvCk], used to crack larger stones
- Hand set [amzn.to/2J9BXNn], for trimming edges of stones
- Hand point [amzn.to/2WiZLC5], used to chip off high spots
- Bushing hammer [amzn.to/2Limqh2], for finishing surface of just-cut stones
Steps for How to Cut and Shape Stones:
1. Use a gas-powered cut-off saw or angle grinder to cut stone.
2. To hand-split a stone, begin by using an electric rotary hammer and masonry bit to drill holes spaced 4 inches apart across the stone face.
3. Insert a steel wedge and pair of steel feathers (shims) into each hole.
4. Use a hammer to alternately tap each wedge into the hole.
5. Continue to lightly tap each wedge until the stone cracks in two.
6. To split a stone with a hand tracer, set the tracer on top of the stone and tap it with the hammer. Move the tracer down an inch or so and strike it again.
7. Continue in this fashion until you’ve a cut line across the stone.
8. Move the hand tracer back to the beginning and repeat, tap it, move it, tap it, move it, until the stone splits in two.
9. To crack large stones, use a stonebuster tool. Set the buster on top of the stone, then strike it sharply with a hammer to cut a line across the stone. Repeat until the stone splits.
10. To trim the edge of a stone, use a carbide handset. Hold the handset at an angle to the stone, then strike the handset with a hammer to chip off small pieces of stone.
11. Use a carbide-tipped hand point to chip protrusions and high spots off of a stone face.
12. To smooth and even out the surface of a stone, lightly tap it with a bushing hammer.
13. Continue to tap the stone until achieving the desired level of smoothness.
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How to Cut and Shape Stones | Ask This Old House
/ thisoldhouse
I appreciate them not editing out the mishap with the first rock. Real world stuff.
Thanks for showing when it doesn't work. Really glad to see that sometimes you need to start over with another rock.
Yea mate some stones will have fault lines through them that no matter what side or way you break it from it will follow that fault line or sediment line or whatever is wrong with the stone, just gotta crack it and see
Totally agree! I have a book on Stone masons and the author frequently highlighted how masons are often very patient. Or, at least the impatient ones don't last long!
Yes, great that they showed a 'flaw', just as important to learn from!
I thought you were talking about Earth..
Awesome video.I really enjoyed it.
I appreciate that the editor didn't remove the first rock failing to properly split. Sometimes the piece has internal faults that render the piece unusable or make it significantly harder to shape. Most of these shows edit out the failures but I think it's important to show what can sometimes happen so people that are watching the videos for educational purposes and planning to copy the technique at home understand that it can happen and don't get discouraged.
Didn't we notice that there were 5 holes in the 2nd stone, instead of 4 in the failed effort?
Was digging holes for a deck and had 3 huge rocks in the holes, thought I was screwed since my back yard is fenced in. Was reluctant to try this but figured id give it a shot. 30 bucks for the wedges and had to rent a hammer drill, holy crap it works. A few hours and the rocks were small enough to lift out. Thanks for the video saved me from ripping down my fence for a backhoe. Would definately recomend doing if needed. 😃
As an archaeologist who often marvels at the great stonework of old, this was incredibly fascinating to watch. I also have a ton of respect for those people now. Carbide. Damn. If I'd shown up to a Neolithic settlement with one of those things, I probably could have bought the place with it.
"I'm not that good yet." "YET?!" The natural, good-natured humor in TOH videos is really what sets them apart.
I have an english essay due tomorrow thankfully i know how to cut a rock in half
And this could help you in becoming a stonemason
OMG hahaha, I have an essay for English comp due tomorrow, and I ended up watching this for no reason.
Six months later, how do you value the time watching the video? :) I find learning odd things you never even thought of learning to be very very good for your ability to think and especially think critically. That said.. an essay is a one time opportunity.
haw ta cut rawk
nickNcar ii
Old cat had skills and humility, a nice combo. Cheers.
glad you showed the vagaries of cutting stone and discussing it honestly... Most tv shows skip all the inconveniences and only show the great results... Meanwhile the rest of us are still needing the information that 25 years of skill brings to the job... What do you do when a rock breaks badly? Well, he said "cut my losses and get a different stone"... Now I don't feel so bad...
+Ralph Marshall Honestly that was my favorite part of the episode. Most shows would of edited that out and we would of thought this master stone cutter got everything perfect.
I agree. Never thought I would laugh watching someone cut a rock in half. :-P Reminded me of something my Dad would say, except this guy did not cuss. Also liked the "Oh well. Moving on" attitude.
i would like to see them getting the shims and wedges out, just pound them threw i guess?
@@brusombear3823 the holes don't go all the way through, even if they did you wouldn't be able to pound the wedges and shims all the way through. Once you get a bad break you just tap the wedges side to side until they loosen up.
A good down to earth demonstration on how to create such noble structures using stone. Well done
Of all the stuff I have watched today.. this, was the most interesting.
The fact that the guy looks precisely like a modern-day mining dwarf makes me very happy.
Definition of ironic methinks.
Chai 🤣 rofl
kzhead.info/sun/mt6ahdSniIKEppHM/bejne.htmlii
Thank you I needed this...I was having a hard time breaking open stones when searching for fossils. Today was SO much easier, I brought back about 5 times as much fossiliferous stone.
This mason is a master!
Wow what a great compilation of common scenarios when stone working! Well done!
Now I can make that fit in my wall for sure!
This video is therapeutic to watch. Also, the skill is impressive. Thank you displaying your talent and sharing your knowledge.
I stumbled onto this video- and this is the most interesting video! How fascinating this is! I had no idea it took so much skill- so much talent. I will now APPRECIATE this hard work whenever I see it. Thank you so much for sharing! 😍
so this is what my weekends have come down to..... 😩
Haha same
Lol
LMAO!!
Good taste!!
I learn how to shape stones in between faps.
I remember seeing this show when I was a kid. The nostalgia! lol
I like that they left in a mess up to show its not "as easy as them youtube videos". We need more of that.
error is a key part of success
Are you sexually harassing me?
HUGH MUNGUS WOT
WHAT IS YOUR NAME
HOW DARE YOU!
I studied stonework for 3 years in college and I watching this video helps me remember some of the things that I learned during that time.
MrEdJepson Penn State correctional?
this video rocks
get out.
That was puntastic
delet your account
🤣
Ba-dum-tssss!!!
Probably one of the coolest short video's I've ever seen
this is so useful! I cut and shape stones in my backyard ALL THE TIME now! thanks guys!
those tools haven't seen much use! thankyou for making a how to video, great for people who have never worked stone before as a starting point.
The man in the hat educating us is so lovely. You're a great teacher.
Amazing art and tools. It seems that you are cutting paneer in exact size for a dinner. Hats off
Great teacher patience and the right tools for the right job
I'm getting into stone masonry and it's good to see the tools and methods used. Thanks!
How it's been?
I'm watching this after spending the last 8 hours drilling through a commercial building brick wall to run electrical service conduit! Nothing like a coring bit to make your day just fly by! LOL!
I've been in the trades as a carpenter for twenty year's and have always admired true stone masons. Having said that I hate shaking their hands.
Worse than machinists or mechanics?
That guy has a great job. Such a peaceful craft.
+nieze Yes it is...!!!...and very rewarding...
definitely
Peaceful. Lol. Come to work with me for a day. You would leave before 9.
9:58 "Sits pretty good now" still wobbles lol
"Now I can use that for my wall, for sure."
Don't let Trump hear about this.
Rumky i read your comment right when he said that
I love you chemist XD
Junior Udo-Okon Everybody loves me, I'm the real Jepus Christ.
TheWanderingChemist Repus? :s
I got the need to put every single fucking stone I see into my wall.
Great video - thanks. Simple, and clear (and obviously much harder to do than you make it look!
This guys shaped MANY rocks to get so exact 😎👍Thanks for sharing..
this is one of the best videos on UT regarding stone masonry for the novice Randy is a good teacher and spokesperson for trow and holden.
Its great to see Roger again. And, its good to see just what I need for managing my rocks with hand tools. Thanks fellas. John in Bethel, Missouri.
Never gonna cut stones in a thousand years, but i'm watching this "how to" video.
I know, right?
dattebayo
Same here :-D... it's somehow interesting
:)
use an ANGLE GRINDER WITH DIAMOND DISK
Happy New Year to you and your family. Thank you for your videos and keeping old skills, ingenuity and artistry all a part of your adventure.
me: im going to sleep early today! me at 1:54 am watching this video
This must be one of those recommended videos designed to catch your attention and keep you up late at night.
Same here, it's 3:47 am now.
sa
Sup ! 2:39 am here
1:13 lol
Hands down,this was my favorite TOH video ever. Thank you.
Rocking the Trow and Holden hat. Great Vermont company, selling the best hand tools for this type of job.
Really useful videos, i rarely say something possitive, but when its'good it's good
i knew you wasnt dead. everyone called me crazy but i knew i wasnt
this is the best day of my life!!!! my 2 heros are actually talking to me!!!!!
What a time to be alive
There are just some people who are brilliant in what they do. You are one of them!
That's the kind of job I've always wanted to do...and finally doing it. Thank you Gents.
Didn't know rocks could be so interesting!
Looks good randy, let me just hold this so it doesn't tip over. With simple tools...
yeah twice
Really helpful and informative video👍. Thanks guys. Keep 'em coming please ✌👏
Tight. I'm ready for my Stonemason Master ring now.
I don't quite know how I landed on this video, but I watched it all.
Same here
yep Same here
Guilty as well
Very satisfying and also instructional!
yup, back button shows I am here from spiders and a fly in a vacuum chamber, and before that was high-speed water vapor nucleation video......guess it's just one of those days!
A true pro.
When I am field dressing stone, I cut the bottom 12" of 55gal barrel and with 10" of sand or fines on the bottom and position it on a mud board stand for working at waist height. When dressing the stone you produce spalls you can use as shims when setting the stones in place.
I feel so at peace when I watch these types of videos.
You are not so much at piece(s) as the stones! (Pah-dum-pshh)
jist imagine doing it for a living
Damn, that's so cool! I have to build some piers with field and flat stones. Every time I watch videos like these it gets more interesting. And expensive! :)
Need the piers for a cabin. Was going to do something else but my big brother convinced me to do the stone thing. I thought he was nuts. Now I think I was nuts for not thinking about it. So cool, now I can't wait to get started!
handy tip:if you wanna save time watch videos like this in 1.5 speed :P
Thank You so Much....A Stone Mason Craft is such a needed but gradually forgotten skill....Walls & structures built this way will never be mimic by a drone in my life time....Human learned Skill is so Amazing....
Amazing video. I’m currently building a stone wall and have some stone that need shaping. How did KZhead know I needed this video…
i just came back to this video to give it thumb up 👍
Hobby projects work like this: Chill out, cut one stone in half, drink a beer, do the same tomorrow. I had a neighbour who drilled in the walls for 10 minutes after work every day for half a year; he could have rented a good hilti drill and got it done in a weekend, whatever the fuck he was doing; but instead, he had some toy drill and drilled 5 millimetres per day instead.
Got stoned while I watched this, seemed appropriate.
Stoners have to hold together, right? :)
same here :)
Especially since you have all the coke fiends who look down on stoners. To each their own I say, if they like to party that much that's good for them but I;d rather chill in the sun with a good smoke.
Go Away Coke friends??? Nope, thanks... I do not trust those types. :)
it was fun watching this. Both interviewer and interviewee are good talented men.
I’ve never been so hyped about breaking rocks.
Something tells me that this might be more difficult than you're making it look. Very impressive!
just patience, attention to detail and the willingnes to fail. like any skill.
Stone changes in its density from soft lime stone to hard marble. They all have their tricks. I saw a lot of stone work in my days and they used the old Egyptian style, They drilled the holes deep enough and then they introduce wood and a steel wedge, They hammer it down tight and then they put water in the hole to wet the wood which will expand and the next day , the stone separates nicely. I would say that if he drilled deep enough in his first stone he would have got it right straight away. t 6:49 I felt that having a heavy chisel and a light hammer meant that the inertia of rest of the chisel was rather high and so the impulse on the stone would be reduced, I prefer to use a light chisel and a heavier hammer so that the impulse will not be absorbed by the inertia of the chisel and I feel that I can have better control on the situation. An interesting activity in hard stone work is to make a flat surface out of an irregular one. What I do is to grind the chisel in an unsymmetrical manner and according to the situation where I need the chisel to dig in or dig out, I rotate the chisel accordingly. When digging in the chisel takes deep lumps off while when digging out it takes surface lumps off. It is all fascinating. They tell me that this technique of unsymmetrical chisel or knife grinding/sharpening is used by right hand or left hand butchers as a left handed butcher needs a left handed knife while a right handed butcher needs a right handed knife, otherwise one cannot cut thin slices of ham !! I just wonder how many people working in kitchens know that?
facebook.com/100005557095976/videos/vb.100005557095976/519872221541343/?type=3&theater
It's amazing to see the size of the stones used on the pyramids and the quality of the fit. What makes it all the more amazing is that it was all done using the technique you describe without a power tool in sight.
Badri chams. I looked this up but I a message appears on my screen saying that this is no longer available.
Such an amazing video to watch! Thank you
Im soo glad youtube put this in my suggestion box
why am I watching this at 3 am
Same. Wtf
You're both stoned and Google knows it.
It's 4:30 am and it was in my recommended... Wtf
You're clock is 10min fast.
haha 12:24 for me lol stupid KZhead algorithm
i just like the "That will fit right in mah whal" every time he cuts a stone.
Stone masons are true artists that can make a beautiful wall that will last for generations. A wall of natural rock in a garden of roses really makes for a beautiful setting.
This is oddly the most fascinating video ever.
Dont know why i watched this, but i sure liked it =)
"You don't want to overwork your tool or your stone." Lmao
So satisfying to watch
I like the example of the flawed stone to one that works. All around detailed experiences you might experience.
You'll never know when you need to cut a stone. This vid was very helpful for the future!!
dude is obsessed with putting all the rocks into his wall
Broken ones??????
Wow.....that was awesome information. Well done. Thank you!❤️
Great video. Now I know how to shape stone for my fireplace. Thank you for sharing your experience :)
I put this video into my wall
"Quit bringing me rocks"
Something surprisingly pleasant about this video. Loved it!
Masterpiece on the stones !!
Stoners👍😎
Safety glasses...👍check
Cannabis ✓
this will fit nice on MY WALL
*rock wobble intensifies as camera zooms out quickly*
Awa!
I worked for the City of Vancouver Sewers Department on a large 25 man construction crew back in the mid-1970s I was a labour and did every job while I was there, I was the pad man and worked with the excavator and the operator while we were digging out the ditch we would on occasion hit a massive bolder .. We would drill our holes using a hundred-pound air hammer drill and we would put in plugs and feathers same as shown here but bigger .and an 8-pound sledgehammer .we split off just enough to dig the ditch .. On ocation, we also called in a blaster ..
Good learning skills. I know how to cut stones now thanks!
Stone Masons, they're still needed today.
You mean the Illuminati?
That's me.
I know lots of stoned Mason's. Most of the "Old Masters" are broke, bodies destroyed, and living on disability. All the ones still working stay stoned to tollerate the unfair pay rates to us Craftsman.
Everyone is questioning why they're watching this, and i'm just sitting here wondering how i got here in the first place.
Maximus i got here trying to discover the purpose of the pyramids of Giza is lmao how i got here and why i finished it is a mystery greater than that of the pyramid
I’m sat here wondering why I’m reading all these comments
I love his honesty
Love Roger Cook!
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE WHERE IS YOUR MASK
and hearing protection!!
What? Are you guys pussies or what? :)
you almost got me, troll. you almost got me. Looks like your starving this week doe
Brandon Clark Please don't inhale rock dust.
now i just need a house
While traveling in India I watched masons carve statues with those exact tools. I was especially impressed by the tool with multiple pointed faces. They used that tool for the final shaping.
Excellent. Great video, easy to understand. Many thanks
aw yes, that makes so much sense. it makes such a cleaner cut.
Hot
+Jessica Phar It actually does make a cleaner cut, than a saw, as well as faster. A saw will leave very unnatural scratch lines in the face of the stone. Which are not very attractive. And would take hours of polishing to remove the marks from a single stone. If this wasn't the best way to do it, especially in the field. Then they wouldn't still be using this method.
@Pahr If I show you how to make a sandwich would that make sense to you
Fuller Crane I hardly believe you could "show me" anything when it comes to sandwiches when mine are fantastic, thank you.
I don't know how I got here, but now I want a furbished stone mantle in my home.
Wonderful video. Thanks to both of them. 🎉
taking me back east, thanks brothers!