Serving Stone Masons WorldwidE
How to Split Stone
Call Ray (412) 445-0703 or Email ray@blockshear.com
Masons have split stone the same few ways for centuries: a hammer and chisel, plug and feathers, and today a hydraulic stone splitter. Which one to use depends on the size of the stone and how many pieces you need. Here is how each method works on limestone, sandstone, flagstone and granite.
- Wall stone and veneer: a hydraulic stone splitter
- Boulders too big for a splitter: plug and feathers
- A few stones: a hammer and pitching chisel
4 Ways to Split Stone
Split the stone you can lift. Wedge the boulders. Saw only when you need a flat cut.
How to Split Stone With a Stone Splitter
The routine on a Block Shear Stone Splitter, a few seconds per split.
BY STONE TYPE
Splitting Flagstone, Limestone and Boulders
Flagstone is layered rock. To split thick flagstone into thinner pieces, set a wide chisel into a bedding line on the edge and tap along the edge until the layers separate. To cut a flag to size, split it across the grain on a stone splitter or score and break it with a chisel.
Limestone and sandstone split easily and predictably, which is why they are the most common wall stone. Granite is harder and needs more force, but a hydraulic splitter breaks granite cobbles and wall stone cleanly.
A boulder too big to fit in a splitter is a job for plug and feathers. Drill holes every 4 to 6 inches along the line, set a plug and two feathers in each, and tap the plugs in rotation until the crack runs through.
Read the Stone First
- Find the bedding lines and split along them
- Avoid splitting across cracks or veins
- Wear eye protection, chips fly
- Size pieces to the course you are laying
Split what fits the machine. Wedge what does not.
THE TOOL WE BUILD FOR THIS
Block Shear Stone Splitter
A hydraulic stone splitter for natural and cast stone up to 8.25″ high and 18.25″ wide, with 40,000 lb of splitting force and case hardened tool steel blades. $2,950 manual hydraulic or $3,150 air-assist hydraulic, plus shipping. Made in the USA.
Splitting wide slabs? The Stone & Slab Splitter opens to 24.5″. For small stone and brick, see the Mini Stone Splitter.
Call Ray (412) 445-0703 or Email ray@blockshear.com
What Stone Masons Say
Time is money
This is a quality piece of heavy-duty equipment. No more time-consuming, labor-intensive splitting stone by hand. Splits large limestone and sandstone easily.
Time saver quality splitter
We have many splitters and this one is by far the best. I’ve been in the business for 53 years and the rock face finish that we get saves our masons time and the company money making us more competitive and our work high quality.
Hands-On Experience
I was working on a stone project in Ligonier, PA and got interested in Block Shear’s manual hydraulic stone splitter after reading the many positive reviews and watching videos on their website. Since I was nearby, Ray let me come out and try it before buying. The demo was helpful, the product worked great, and the service was excellent.
Built in Pittsburgh
Block Shear splitters are built in our shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Questions about a machine? Call Ray at (412) 445-0703.
Splitting Stone: Common Questions
Score a line around the stone with a chisel, then strike a pitching tool or wide chisel along the line with a hand sledge until it breaks. For bigger stone, use plug and feathers.
Find a bedding line on the edge, set a wide chisel in it, and tap along the edge until the layers separate. Work slowly so the flag splits evenly.
Limestone splits well along its bedding. Mark the line, then use a stone splitter, a chisel along a scored line, or plug and feathers for large pieces.
For stone that fits, a hydraulic stone splitter is fastest and most consistent. For boulders, drilled holes with plug and feathers.
Mark the center line, then split it on a stone splitter or drill a row of holes along the line and drive plug and feathers until it cracks through.
Yes, with a diamond blade, for small cuts and scoring. A grinder only cuts an inch or two deep, so score the line and finish with a chisel or splitter.
A plug is a steel wedge and the feathers are two curved steel shims. Set in a drilled hole and tapped in, they push the stone apart until it cracks along the row of holes.
Stone up to 8.25″ high and 18.25″ wide. The Stone & Slab Splitter takes stone up to 24.5″ wide, and the Mini Stone Splitter handles smaller stone up to 4.25″ by 12″.
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