slate spalling

["George Graham" <georgergraham@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

Norman,
I echo Bruce's advice.

Take some time to experiment , and practice on the back of some on your
stone. Take a close look at your chisels. You can have a very sharp cutting
edge on chisel that is not tapered enough. For very shallow and delicate
lettering I like  a very flat, tapered chisel that is very, very sharp. The
carving you describe only needs a very light touch. Try different  kinds of
hammers. Plastic, wood, brass, bronze or aluminum. Rawhide mallets used by
leather workers have a nice feel. Going to a lighter and softer hammer will
help you slow down.

Experiment on the back side of your stone until you start getting the
results you want.

By the time you have completed your project, you may have a new concept of
what it means to slowly work as fast as you can!
This topic reminds me of George's shop rule #27, always sweep away the stone
dust and chips from your work. That reduces the number of times you have to
hear your boss say, Is that all you've done? ,and increases the number of
times you hear, "looks good".
Carry on,
George