where to buy feathers and wedges

["Disbrow Consulting" <diz@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Hi Dulce,
I would doubt that you would find feather wedges in home depot.  I generally
get mine at Kibby Equipment in Vermont, and use them to cut very hard
stones.  I keep a few sets of different sizes based upon the size and
density of the rock.  They last forever or until you lose them.  The drill
that you will need will depend upon the size of the feather wedges, the size
of the stone, and the density of the stone.  Alabaster is very soft so you
will want to go easy with it.  I can easily foresee turning a boulder into
marble sized chunks with almost any of the equipment I use.  Once you get
your wedge sets (I use at least 3), test the wedges on similar material
first to avoid smashing the boulder to dust.  The touch will be very
important and you will want to get it right.  When I first used them I was
tempted to a 4 lb drill hammer, but the old guy who trained me started
laughing and took it away from me.  Since then I generally use a brick
hammer, and it comes out fine.  You will be amazed at how little force it
takes to cut a fairly large stone/boulder.  Depending upon the size and
shape of the boulder, you might consider using a masonry abrasive blade that
fits into a skill saw.   They are generally found at HomeDepot and cost
under $5 each.  My gut feeling is that unless the boulder is really big,
feather wedges might be a little too much for the material.   I haven't used
my sawzall on soft stone yet, but I have friends who have had success that
way.   I personally tend to only use them on granite or when a stone axe
won't do.  I'd just hate to learn that you smashed-up a nice piece of stone
and didn't get your chance to make something beautiful.

Craig Disbrow, MBA, JD.
Disbrow Consulting
603 523 4259 (Voice)
603 523 4574 (Facsimile)