How can I slice granite boulders?

[Jason Joplin <joplin11@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

* Follow-up to message from: Don Meister, Omega-3 Fisheries
* Original date (y/m/d) was: 2000/09/02

Don,

There are several methods of slicing boulders
but I have two ways that are cheap and
effective.  The first one is to establish the
plane you want to follow by drawing it on the
stone,  proceed to drill holes with a half
inch masonry hammer drill every six to 12
inches,  insert half inch metal feathers and
wedges into the holes (available at any stone
or sculptors supply co) and slowly pound these
wedges into the stone until it tears.  This is
much faster than the wood and water method.

The second method is to cut the line you have
drawn on the stone with a diamond blade about
three inches deep.  Get an old leaf spring off
a car or truck, cut it into about a 5 inch
strip and sharpen one end.  Make several of
these and insert them into the cut on the
stone about 12 inches apart.  Pound them in
slowly and the stone should tear along the
established plane.  The only clean up should
be in the middle of the torn plane.

          Good Luck