Tools for different types of stones

[Pilar Aldana-Mendez <paldanam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello .

After reading the questions about tools for granite I decided to write
some stories about stones so you can imagine why we must work them in
different ways !!!!!  It is not only a matter of tools.
Excuse my poor English.

Stones are very different in composition from each other, this is why
each type needs a different way to work, even a different way to be
used.

Marble is a sedimentary stone, it means that the way the materials came
together was by placing each other softly and very slow together.
This stone was created in the surface of the earth.  Let's say, the
water went away !!!!!!

Granite comes from inside the earth. Was created after much heat on a
mix of hard minerals cooking in the center of the earth.  Later on it
came to the surface by explosions and strong movements.  It is hard not
only due to its composition but also due to the strong "glue" that
places together all the granites of the granite.

Basalt is a lot harder. It is almost iron. This one came out thrown
away directly from the very hot belly of the earth.  It is pure energy.
Sometimes it is like one solid piece almost impossible to break.

Sand stone is glued sand.
In between this types of stone there are many variations.

Since ancient times humans have been able to work all type of stones.
Tools were not sophisticated.  They learnt the
characteristics of the stone they found in their own places.
In the South of Egypt (Aswan) they were able to take out of the quarries
pieces of thousands of kilos of granite in one single block (and
transport it ...).  Actually this knowledge is lost !!!!!!

Actually tools are very well developed and specialized. But, not only
tools are important, the way we face the stone is important,
I mean the way we "hit" it with this tools.

Yes, Granite needs different tools than marble or sand stone.
Hand tools for marble must be sharp and a normal tungsten in the point
is enough to face the hardness of the stone.

For granite, tools must be rounded.  Tungsten tools must be hard enough
for the type of granite to be worked.  In case of iron tools, their
point of temper is also different.

Granite has a lot of metal in the composition which makes that the stone
and the tools (manual and mechanic) get very hot easily.   Marble will
never get as hot as granite after one minute of cutting with the diamond
disk or hitting with a hand tool.

Sand stone can be carved with simple tools. We really do not hit sand
stones. Marble and Granite need special ways to hit with the tools.

Working marble, a single piece will go out almost after each hit ...

Granite no !!!!  For granite we must try to debilitate an area of the
stone with rhythmic hits and then give the final hit that will take away
the piece.  Turn around the tool in your hand to avoid heating.

About Diamond disks: the way the pieces of diamond are glued to the disk
must be different for each type of stone.  The industries make them
already different.   What is important in any case is not to let the
disk get hot because this will destroy the glue of the diamond and some
pieces will go away making the disk a very dangerous arm.    For granite
it is very useful to work with disks prepared to be used with water,
this way we are sure not to break the disk because of extra heat.

Granite has some minerals in the composition that are "sometimes" harder
than Vidia = Tungsten for manual tools or more abrasive than the
materials used to glue the Diamond to the disks.  I had worked Blue
Tango Granite from Argentina (not the same than Blue Brazil), it has
little red touches of a mineral that can EAT a diamond disk like a
cookie.

Let's do not talk about polishing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where to get tools ??  In specialized industries for stone tools.
Different qualities, different prices.  Be sure to get tools for granite
if you need them.
If they say "it is the same than for marble", just run away.
Addresses ??  I have few in France and Spain.  In Germany, Austria,
Japan, Italy, qualities are extra !!!!!!!

Good luck.  Take care of your fingers and do not get to tired
!!!!!!!!!.
Use always mask for granite (is a big risk).
Ciao
Pilar Aldana-Méndez