Surfacing granite

["George Graham" <georgergraham@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

Martin,
The curb and paver stones of granite are probably old,( i assume) and were
likely split off in strips from a slab. The quarry would provide a slab
thick enough, say 16" from which they would split off strips 4'', 6' and
ect. If your curb stone are split face on the sides and fairly uniform, then
you can start with the assumption that that is the easiest plan to split and
pitch with. Use your hand set and break a flak off the side , and then go
perpendicular, across the top and see the difference. This should give some
point of reference to learn the grain.
Using an air hammer and any other hand held tool to level off a large
surface, no matter what the grain direction, is very hard work. It can be
done, but as Bill said, it very labor intensive.
Just a thought on the big table top, something I've seriously thought about
is to make functional tables that have multiple levels and textures. Other's
have done this with great success.
I've had the good fortune to work with Quincy Granite from Mass. and
consider it to be the toughest granite to point, and carve. It was
impossible to pitch against the grain. It forced me to change my methods!
Good Luck
George Graham