How to cut flagstone using a hammer
Vložit
- čas přidán 21. 05. 2020
- This is a short demonstration on how I cut flagstone using a hammer.
Make sure you like and subscribe. Let me know in the comments if you find this helpful! Stone cutting technique shown here is called knapping (yes, like flint knapping), knipping, or chipping. It's all about a little bit at a time.
Yes, I use a regular brick hammer for cutting flagstone. This is my preferred hammer for this type of stone cutting. Carbide tip is really not necessary, for cutting a 2 inch thick piece of sandstone.
Yes, I know there's a video out there with someone using a similar method, with a carpenter's hammer. That method seems to work....but in my experience it is harder to get an accurate cut, using a round-headed carpenter's hammer. Brick hammer you guys--all week long.
Here's where you can buy the sort of hammer I'm using in the video:
amzn.to/3o8Ny0Q
With this method, I am able to cut flagstones so that they fit well, yet still look natural and without sawed edges. No grinders or saws used. To be fair and accurate however, I should let you know that in my stone patios, walkways and walls I DO use saws and grinders. But using just a hammer, or a hammer and chisel is much preferred, as the reduction in noise and dust makes for a healthier and happier jobsite....and often better looking cut too.
DIY stone wall and hardscaping help
My rates for DIY phone/email consultations/video chat consultations are as follows:
$118.00 for a one hour consultation, via email, or telephone or app.
Monies are payable via paypal, Venmo or zelle
Since 2015 I have helped hundreds and hundreds of homeowners create their own flagstone patios, by providing 1 hour-long phone consultations as well as remote design services, conducted via email. Click the link to get started!
Big hint: you can use this same method shown in this video to remove the too-perfect straight line caused by a saw-cut or grinder-cut. Use the hammer method for any easy cuts, small portions of stone to be removed. If you have a good foot or so of stone to chop off in order to make a stone fit then you might want to reach for the grinder or saw. Then you can either cut from the bottom, cutting half-way through then chiseling from the top for a rough-cut look OR just saw from the top and use the hammer method shown here to rough-up that saw-cut.
And I hope this is helpful! Please let me know in the comments! Like and subscribe and all that too!
More info:
www.devineescapes.com/how-to-...
Like comment and subscribe! Link to DONATE right here: www.paypal.me/DevinDevine
The amazon link above to the brick hammer/rock hammer is a paid promotional link--added due to popular request. In reality, you can buy a brick hammer or rock pick at most any hardware store and it will work just fine. Devine Escapes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com - Jak na to + styl
I am seriously very impressed. I’ve been wanting to do a flagstone pathway, but was never sure how to cut it. You have some wonderful skills. That was amazing. I have my great-grandpa’s hammer, like yours. Once I start trying to do what you are demonstrating, I’ll use it.
Excellent. You can do it! Hit up the Devine Escapes blog, if you're looking for additional guidance on flagstone matters.
I understand that a grinder and saw might be handy in some cases and speed things up, but the noise is obnoxious and, to me, detracts from the artistry and great tradition of stonework. Love your work and enjoy watching your projects. Thank you for sharing your art.
about to lay a big flagstone patio for my grandma this video helped a bunch.
Great, thanks for letting me know! I've only taught this method to a few workers, over the years, and always in person--never by video...it's good to know the technique worked for you.
Pure artistry! Ty for this vid. Building a pond edge using Oklahoma flagstone. Helped a lot
Excellent--glad I could help :)
Helpful video, thanks bro!
This is really helpful, thanks so much for sharing your skills.
You;re welcome--I'm happy this helps
The knowledge is in your hand. My father set type on a Lino and could keep two lines of copy going and read something else. It’s nice to have a job where you can think.
I do enjoy a bit of multitasking--but not on that kind of level--that's impressive!
Thanks!!
Excellent viddy. Thanks!
You're welcome, I hope it helps :)
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Got my stone shook out but haven't started laying my first job. Man, you cut faster witb a hammer than using a 4" blade.
Cool. So yea, that's another benefit to cutting flagstone by hammer, rather than using a grinder--sometimes it's the faster method.
Since you're getting ready to do your first job, you may find some useful articles here: www.devineescapes.com/category/how-to/
Thanks
Great work I like it ; just wondering if you use a stone splitter ; it might be a time savior
Not for flagstone. To date, I don't think I've seen anyone use a guillotine type stone splitter (assuming that's what you mean) for cutting thin stones like this--and I've asked, a few times. Will sometimes use smaller feather and wedge, for thin slabs--or even cut-nails.
Mind you, even using any one of these 3 alternative techniques--you're still going to want to use a knapping technique (like in the video) for when you just have an inch or 3 or stone to remove.
I’m sure. But for wallstone.
Thank you for this. I'd like to shape a flagstone paver into a heart shape. I feel like I have an idea how to do everything except the center point where the two sides of the heart come together at the top. If you have any suggestions - that would be great. Not sure if it can be done with hand tools.
To cut out a heart shape from flagstone using hammer and chisel.... Well I'd take my time. Also, I'd want the stone to be at least an inch and a half thick, and as thick as two inches. Thinner stone than that I might find tricky to control, any thicker than that is just extra work.
А я бы сердечко изготовил
следующим образом. Сначала
на каменной плите начертил
сердечко. После этого плиту
с помощью острого зубила
и молотка разделил бы на две
части таким образом, чтобы
линия разлома разделила и
сердечко на две части .
После чего каждую половинку
сердечка обработал по периметру.
Но линию разделившую на две
части сердечко ни в коем случае
не трогать ни зубилом, ни молотком.
Когда половинки будут готовы,
останется только склеить их
клеем ТYTAN CLASSIC FIX.
Или другим специальным
клеем который обеспечит
необходимую прочность .
С уважением из Сибири,Владимир
Мой город-Нижневартовск.
Is the hammer that you use specialized--unique for this kind of work? And I saw another video where the gent used a tracer chisel to split flagstone along a line. Where can these items be purchased?
The hammer is just a regular brick hammer aka rock pick. They sell them at depot, lowes, or amazon. amzn.to/3tmJVGe
I've used a tracer to cut flagstone before...it takes quite a long time, especially if your flagstone is on the thicker side, like 2" thick or more. Tracer chisel, you'll want to buy from trow and holden.
Thanks because I'd rather not use a power tool 👍 besides I don't own one 😄
You're welcome. To be fair: we do use saws and/or grinders also. But the hammer is preferred, as it is quieter, less dust, and leaves a nice natural edge.
And without safety glasses.. 😉
I'll tell you what the old timers told me, "Squint". If i were demonstrating using an angle grinder......then in good conscience, I'd highly recommend safety glasses. For hammer and chisel work: squint.
Thanks. However, you should be wearing safety glasses. It's also a good idea to use ear plugs because the bang bang bang of the hammer will slowly rob you of your hearing. If you are using a diamond saw or other power equipment, also use a respirator or else your lungs will be sliced raw from the dust.
You a stone mason? The gentle tink tink tink from knapping is going to cause deafness? How come this never happens to anyone, ever? Dust mask for when you're using an angle grinder--sure. But I'm not using a grinder so...and I believe this is obvious. So why mention it? How many decades experience with stone masonry do you have then?
Quit it.
Just quit it.
Dude is fine.
Is the white line on that flagstone a chiseled line? Oh, no, I see, it's a chalk line.
Soap stone is used, like chalk.
Kalenga qotagim
Hi-frist-show-your-tools
Hi. Thank you for your suggestion. If you are wondering about the rock pick/brick hammer used in the video--there is a link in the description.