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Splitting (cleaving) Slate

Stone Conversations : Archive 3 : Message 00383

From: Stephen West <stephen.west@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 09:58:55 +0000
Subject: Splitting (cleaving) Slate

to split slate you need a fine bolster - say at leasdt 2 inches blade width
and as fine as possible - i have watched a demo at the Slate Museum in
Llanberis -they are the best in the world - they made their own tools and
use quite a fine and springy blade. just a few taps usually gets the split
started and the piece falls in half.

always split the state in two. i.e. in half, don't try to do thirds or
quarters. i.e. split in half and if the new pieces are thick enough split in
half again, and then again

I do it with a bolster bought from a DIY shop and am quite succesful - if
the grain of the slate is even which Llanberis and Bethesda slate always is
it is a doddle and very satisfying!

Blaenau Ffestiniog is sometimes not so easy as it is more block like -
better for sculpture that spitting.

Newfoundland is the next best to Welsh slate

Pob Lwc a hwyl o Cymru!


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