|
Stone Restoration
Forum
Ask Stone Restoration Professionals
Story of Marble
Marble a Decorative Choice
Beauty Of Marble Flooring
About Marble Tiles
Installing Marble Tile
Marble for Kitchen
Kitchen Island Design
Choosing Countertop
Countertops For Kitchen
Materials For Kitchen
Countertop
Stain Proofing
Maintenance of Marble
Tips For Marble Cleaning
Bathroom Vanities
Marble Mosaic Tables
Marble vs Hardwood Floors
Investment In Marble
Marble On A Budget
Expensive Marble
Granite:
Care of Granite
Care Of Granite Countertops
How To Choose a Granite
Polishing Granite
Miscellaneous:
FAQ About Stone
Purpose of Natural Stones
Quality of Natural Stones
What Produces Shine
Entryways & Medallion
Choosing Fireplace
Shop For Fireplaces
Terrazzo Cleaning Tips
Vintage Marble Tiles
Uses of Onyx Stone
Granite for House Signs
|
Carving Your Own House Sign: Stonecarvers Tools
If ever you fancy a try at stone carving your own house sign
or even a stab at sculpture, it might be of some help to understand
the various tools and their uses.
There are basically three different sets of tools depending on
the type of stone or marble you are intending to use, though there is
a fair bit of overlap. Some tools being useful on almost any type of
material.
Wood Handled Masons chisels: For working with softish
sandstone’s, i.e.; Bath stone, Cotswold etc. These look similar to the
wood working chisels commonly available. However, the steel is tempered
differently and they are heavier duty . They come in a wide variety
of sizes and shapes.
These specialist chisels are used with a lead dummy. A lead dummy is
a kind of mallet, basically a lead cylinder about 2 inches in diameter
and 3 inches high mounted on a wooden handle.
Bulb End steel chisels: These steel chisels are heavier
duty tools than the wood handled type and are used for working harder
limestone’s such as Portland
stone. They come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.
These chisels are designed for use with a traditional wooden masons
mallet. These round shaped mallets made from Italian Yew come in various
sizes and weights, from four inches in diameter to nine inches.
Steel End steel and tungsten chisels: These chisels are
for use with a steel hammer, either a large masons steel hammer or a
steel club hammer. The choice of hammer will depend on the task in hand.
These chisels are the most commonly available and are made in
a huge range of sizes and shapes. As a carver you will be more concerned
with the smaller tools.
Individual chisels are named according to use and size. So for
instance carving chisels are called “splitters” (I don’t know why just
trust me!). So you can have a quarter inch splitter or half inch splitter
etc.
Here is a list of the various types.
Point or Punch: Pointed chisel usually for roughing out
or getting rid of waste material.
Bolster: Any flat bladed chisel with a straight edge,
from half inch to four inches.
Splitter: Small chisels for fine work such as carving
or letter cutting.
Claw or Comb: Toothed chisel for taking off waste material
in a controlled way, creating a roughly
flat finish.
Pitcher: Flat bladed chisel with a blunt wedge like
edge for taking off large chunks of waste material, needs lots of experience
to use, not for the faint hearted!
Bull nose: As the name suggests, a flat chisel with
a rounded edge for creating curved surfaces.
Scallop: Similar too a bull nose chisel but the blade
is hollowed like a half section of tube, steel tools only, for use on
softer materials.
Carvers and Masons will often shape the tools they need from
existing chisels to suit particular jobs. Creating bull nose chisels
from bolsters or shaping small splitters to get into awkward corners.
Steel tools re-shaped in this way will need re-tempering, tungsten
tools can be used without this need and are the best choice for beginners.
If this is your first stone carving project I suggest you buy
just two chisels, a half inch and a quarter inch tungsten splitter.
If you need a shaped chisel just shape one of your chisels as needed
on a grindstone. In addition search out the smallest steel club hammer
you can find , if its an old one so much the better, cut down the handle
to just five or six inches, it will be much easier to use!
For your first project why not carve your own house sign? Its a relatively
simple project and if you hang it out side your house you will be showing
off your work to every visitor to your home!
Steve Walker has been a craftsman in stone and
marble for 40 years. Leaving school at fifteen he entered an apprenticeship
as an ecclesiastical marble mason with an old London firm, and in his
long career have practiced as a stone mason, letter cutter, restoration
carver, marble mason and carver, fireplace designer and manufacturer.He
has worked in old fashioned traditional stone firms and in modern marble
workshops, in almost every type of stone marble and granite. He is now
the sole owner, and craftsman of
Stone Engravings House signs – www.stoneengravings.co.uk
|
Home
About Us
Contact Us
Terms
Resources
|
