Hammer for splitting

[<junk01@zzzzzzzz>]

What would one suggest for splitting large granite boulders. A rock
worker said that the local granite is fairly coarse grained, cracked and
easy to split with a hammer. I think he mentioned something about a 10lb
stone axe.

Any recommendations for that?

-----Original Message-----
 From: Irwin Stone [irwinstone@---------]
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 5:08 AM
Subject: [stone] Re: Hammer for pitching

I like using a 2 lb hammer for chisels up to 1 1/2" wide for pitching
stones up to 2" or 2 1/4" thick.  For chisels 2" to 3" wide, on soft
stone, I think a 3 lb hammer would be a better match.

Have you tryed an offset handset? I have much better luck with these
than with a regular hand set.  Grind a slight angle on an offset set,
and it works even better.  Trow & Holden now makes these with the
carbide insert already ground to the right angle, and they named them a
"Mason's Chipper"

See a picture here:
http://trowandholden.com/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=1241149.1208*vy
04g1
&product=cat1

The 1" x 1 1/2"  and the 1 1/8" x 2 1/2" size masons chippers are
without a doubt the most used chisels in our assortment.  We also sell T
& H tools to the masons who buy stone & our yard, and these seem to be a
favorite to them as well.

David Modine
http://www.irwinstone.com