Splitting Basalt

["George Graham" <georgergraham@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

Calvin,
When in doubt about the grain or lack of grain , you need to take care that
your holes are drilled on the same plane. The deeper the hole, the more
accurate the break, so you may need to go all the way through to keep the
pressure from wandering off. I like to drill  about 4" apart when I'm not
sure of the grain. Depending on your experience with splitting, go with what
you are comfortable with. I also like to score the line between holes with
my pitching hammer and hand tracer,and then put the feathers and wedges in
and snug them all up. At that point in is very important to be patient and
not rush the process. You have to use the sound and the feel of the hammer
to tighten all the wedges up the same. A professional quarryman gave me the
tip to wait 5 minutes , or have a smoke between tightening up the wedges
again. Then just keep repeating until it gives.

Drilling all the way through, from one side or coming to the center from
opposite sides is the best way I know to insure a complete and accurate
split.

Having the stone sawed is another option if you don't want the split face
saved, and you can afford it.
Good luck
George Graham