Plug and feather stone splitting technique works with various stone types. The technique relies on driving wedges (plugs) between metal feathers into pre-drilled holes to split stone along its natural grain. It's a matter of time and proper technique, not advanced technology. Modern quarrymen still use this ancient method for splitting large stone blocks.
Plug and feather technique predates modern steel tools
Key facts
- Plug and feather stone splitting technique works with any material
- Flint tools could replace steel for starting holes
- Brass could replace steel feathers
- Technique is matter of time, not advanced technology
- Modern quarrymen still use plug and feather to split 60-meter blocks successfully
Sources
Splitting Stone: The Feather and Wedge Process - Connecticut Stoneconnecticutstone.com
Procedure Explained. To start, we drill holes into the stone using electric drills. We choose the location of these holes by studying the grain of the stone.
Plug and feather - Grokipediagrokipedia.com
The method involves drilling a row of holes along the desired split line and inserting metal feathers (semi-cylindrical shims) and a central plug (tapered wedge) ...
Plug and feather - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
After the location of the intended split is chosen, a line is scored on the surface of the stone. A number of holes are then cut or drilled into the stone ...
Feathers and Wedges: Ancient Stone Splitting : 3 Steps - Instructablesinstructables.com
Line the holes up on the along the line you want the stone to split at. Insert the feathers and wedges into each hole as one unit with the wedge point all the ...
Using Feathers and Wedges to Split Stone - Stone Arch Bridgesstonearchbridges.com
Drill another hole 6 to 8 inches away from the first along the splitting line and so on until the stone has a regular row of holes along the ...
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