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How to Cut Rock Without a Jack Hammer or a Stone Cutter
Although the smoothest way to cut stone is with a jack hammer or a stone cutter, there is another way to do it if you don't have access to these tools. A chisel and a hammer are the traditional tools for cutting stone. With these two simple tools, you can cut rocks as hard as flagstone.
Put on safety glasses and heavy gloves before you begin. Stone shards can fly when you cut stone, so eye and hand protection are imperative.
Lay the stone over the bag of gravel or sand.
Use chalk to mark the line where you want to cut the stone. Make sure to mark all sides of the stone.
Score the stone along the chalk line with the chisel, using moderate pressure.
Place the chisel along the scored line and lightly tap it with the hammer. Do this every few centimeters along the line. Repeat until the stone breaks along the scored line.
Tip
If the chisel's edges begin to curl, keep it smooth by grinding it periodically.
Warning
Do not bang on the chisel with a lot of force. This may cause the stone to shatter rather than breaking cleanly.
Writer
Keren (Carrie) Perles is a freelance writer with professional experience in publishing since 2004. Perles has written, edited and developed curriculum for educational publishers. She writes online articles about various topics, mostly about education or parenting, and has been a mother, teacher and tutor for various ages. Perles holds a Bachelor of Arts in English communications from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.