Stone Cutting Tools

Some crossover exists between stone cutting tools, even between hard stone and soft stone cutting. Abrasive wheels and diamond wheels are the two types of attachments often used in cutting hard materials like stone. An abrasive wheel for stone cutting can also cut concrete and masonry, as well as reinforced concrete or brick. Among other examples, a wheel specified for steel will also cut through ferrous metal.

A diamond wheel is used for high-speed cutting and will normally last far longer than an abrasive wheel, up to 200 to 400 times longer, according to some industry experts. Of course, proper safety techniques and procedures must be followed at all times. This also means the diamond wheel should never be substituted by an inferior tool or one not designed for high speed or use on a particular machine, such as a cutoff machine. That way lies extreme danger and OSHA must be notified.

Stone is often still split from quarries, not sawed. Techniques vary, depending on the region and the stone itself. A hand tracer, hand set, and hand point are used to split stone, with the first hit always being light, to set the tool. After holes are drilled along the split line, wedges and shims are inserted and struck. A short waiting period follows. The wedges are struck again until the stone splits, with the operator getting out of the way first. Hydraulic cutting systems may also be used in large operations.

Stone Cutting in Art

Stone cutting extends to the field of lapidary, with many specialized tools, including cutters and gemstone tumblers, available to the rock hound, whether serious amateur or professional. Opal, jade, agate, catseye, star sapphire, Apache Tears (from obsidian), and cabochons (gemstones with domed tops) are just a handful of the names encountered. A sculptor can receive private instruction to learn to hand carve a chunk of jade (using water) into items such as a raven's skull, a shell or a fish.