Introduction, What is this stone?

[allenfr@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

What a great find !  I am a rank novice. I have had a bee in my bonnet for
about 6 years, to make a  rock and bell scupture. A visit to local fair, and
a demonstration about stone carving, in slate, limestone, and granite peaked
my interest again a few years ago.

So, having recently redone a septic system, and having a large boulder in
the back yard, I purchased a one inch point and a 1 inch chisel. I had a old
canvas bag, a 5 pound sledge hammer, and good weather. Visually I want to
embed a round bell into the boulder about 8 inches. Currently I have a round
hole about three inches into the stone. Is the stone granite? Lots of
quartz, felspar, red something. The first inch was more soft, crumbly. Three
weeks after starting, I found that an 30 minutes a night after work,
'banging' away on the rock, was mentally wonderful. Hey, these are carbid
tips. Shouldn't have to sharpen too often, should I. < grin > Ok, I bought a
green wheel, and bench grinder. Started touch the two edges up every night.
Learned that rock dust and computers do not mix.

Winter in Maine. All stopped on the rock, I began calling it a stone. Too
cold for wandering out in the back, through the snow drifts. Put my sea
kayak away also. Sanity begins to deteriorate.

Reading Granite City Tool catalog often. I'm ready for tools. This boulder
is about the size of a kitchen table. On one end I want to 'carve' a seat
area. I need to remove material faster than I am with the hammer and chisel.
I have formed an attachment to this stone. I don't know what it is yet, but
my bell and stone idea has developed a life of its' own.

Outside with hand tools, do I need a mask ?