Stone Carving Workshops - London E8 - Tel: 07900881027 [email protected]
Notes for students for buying and selecting tools for stone carving
Stone carving is not like wood carving, where you have to buy a lot of chisels, you only need
a handful to get started, and you can buy more chisels/tools as you advance.
Understanding effect stone removal /chisel /tool sizes
The general rule is large/heavy chisels remove more material and small chisels are good for
the fine/detailed work (as you advance you can invest in different sized chisels/tools).
However there are some exceptions to this rule which is why you should buy what I
recommend. My tool list has been carefully thought out, they are chisels that will last a
lifetime, they are for experienced and beginner carvers so you will not need to replace them
as you advance. I don't recommend starter kits for this reason; they can be a waste of
money!
Tungsten tipped tools verses carbon/fire sharp
Tungsten tools stay sharper and last longer, they are also required for medium and harder
stones like Portland. I have recommended 1-2 tungsten tipped EUROP CHISEL’S as they are
very versatile, you can use them for letter carving as well as carving. However Al – Orr
masonry chisels are also very good and hold a bit more weight to them, I have also included
these on my list. The tungsten tipped are a bit more expensive than fire sharp chisels and
require a diamond sharpening block but they are worth it. If you were to buy a fire sharp
chisel you still have to buy a sharpening stone and later on a grinding wheel to keep them
sharp, later on you may also wish to advance to a harder stone where you require tungsten.
On my list I have included a diamond sharpening block, I have found one that comes in a
coarse grade as you do not need to buy one with a fine grade as well (this is a waste of
money).
Carbon/Fire sharp chisels – exception to the rule
The exception to the rule is that you can use some Carbon/fire sharp chisels on a
medium/hard stone. Like a claw, pitcher and punch. I have recommended these tools on my
list. You will not require a tungsten pitcher; you won’t require a tungsten punch until much
later on. The Carbon/Fire sharp claws I recommend will work very well for you and work on
soft and medium stones (you do not need to sharpen them as they come with a replaceable
claw bit). I have recommended a tungsten claw in case you would rather buy one.
Tools to buy later
At the beginning you will not require measuring tools like callipers/proportional callipers,
combination square, and tape measure. You will require these as you advance and want to
copy things more accurately (the proportional callipers are used for scaling from a model,
for example if your model is small and you want to carve a stone copy twice it’s size.
You can do without a pitcher at the beginning with a soft stone if you are happy to remove
material with a hand saw.
Stone Carving Workshops - London E8 - Tel: 07900881027 [email protected]
Bull nose and gouges, these are good for shaping curves but you can use a riffla for now and
invest in these later on.
Tool list and suppliers - recommended for carving soft to medium stone like Caen, Bath,
Alabaster, Portland, sand stones
Including tools to get you started and to buy later.
CHISELS - Tungsten
Telephone : 01388 605363
www.harbrosupplies.com
I have given you the Stock codes/reference for each item (which will never change). Go to
their website, copy and paste quick code into search bar. Alternatively you can call them
and read out the quick code.
Option 1- If you want to invest now
To get you started – for detailed carving. Also used for letter carving
8mm T.T. EUROP CHISEL H.H. GUILLET
Quick code: TTGL005 W 01
To get you started – for removing more bulk. Also used for letter carving
15mm T.T. EUROP CHISEL H.H.GUILLET
Quick code: TTGL008
OR
Option 2 – If you want to save money and invest later (purchase an in between size)
To get you started – 12mm T.T. EUROP CHISEL H.H.GUILLET. Also used for letter carving
Quick code: TTGL007 W 01
A similar very good chisel used for carving only – would be the Al – Orr masonry chisels.
These chisels have a chunkier shaft and therefore drive through stone well especially
harder stones, but can also be used on soft stone. They are available in similar sizes to the
Europ chisels above. Link is provided below.
Stone Carving Workshops - London E8 - Tel: 07900881027 [email protected]
http://www.harbrosupplies.co.uk/product/tungsten-tooling-kits/marble-masonry-chiselhammer-head/
CLAW, PUNCH/POINT, PITCHER – carbon/steel
To get you started12mm COLD STEEL CLAW TOOL HOLDER HH (F)
Quick code: FIC070 W 01
+
12mm STONE CLAW BITS
Quick code: FIS001 W 01
1 Box
You can buy later - it does same as the smaller claw (above) but removes more material
(can use saw instead)25mm COLD STEEL CLAW TOOL HOLDER HH (F)
Quick code: FIC071 W 01
+
1 box of 25mm STONE CLAW BITS
Quick code: FIS002 W 01
You can buy later – It is good for mass removal of stone, harder stone and larger blocks (can
use saw instead)
20mm OCT X QUAL STEEL PUNCH HH RILEY
Quick code: FIP013 W 01
You can buy later – It is good for mass removal of stone, harder stone and larger blocks (can
use saw instead)
50mm x 20mm X QUAL PITCHER HH RILEY
Quick code: FIP003 W 01
To mason a flat surface you can use the
SHARPENING BLOCK – Diamond for tungsten chisels
To get you started - for sharpening tungsten chisels
150x50mm DIAMOND SHARP BLOCK RED
Stone Carving Workshops - London E8 - Tel: 07900881027 [email protected]
Quick code: SH014 W 01
RIFFLER - steel files
To get you started – good for shaping, smoothing soft stone (can use on harder stone like
Portland but will not last as long as tungsten).
You can use this for now instead of a gouge or bull nose chisel
250mm STEEL RIFFLER TYPE 4
Quick code : MAS171D W 01
SANDING - sand paper
You can buy this later – It is a hard sand paper; it does the same as a riffler (above), but
covers more stone. It will not last as long as a riffler but is a lot cheaper. I would recommend
this as well as the riffler.
115mm SILICON CARBIDE FLAT DISC P60
Quick code: FSD005 W 01
BRUSH
To get you started – To brush away dust/chippings to see what you are carving. You can buy
a basic brush from any store.
50mm PAINT BRUSH
Quick code : BR023 W 01
CLAW - tungsten
You can buy later - or if you prefer investing in a TUNGSTEN CLAW tungsten claw instead of
the Carbon/Fire sharp (recommended above) you will need to go to Tiranti’s
www.tiranti.com Telephone : 0207 3800808
Click on the link below or visit the London, Warren St store to buy a TCT BROAD CLAW
18mm 4 Teeth
http://www.tiranti.co.uk/EdgeImpactShop/product.php?Product=661&Content=TCT+Broad
+Claw+18mm+4+Teeth+Stonecarving+Tungsten+Tipped+Tools+TCT+Broad+Claws+%28lengt
h+190mm%2C+diameter+18mm%29
HAMMERS – 1kg club hammer
To get you started – This is very versatile and is good for heavy and delicate removal of
stone; you can use it on any chisel head. You can also use it for letter carving but you may
prefer a lighter letter carving hammer/dummy.
Stone Carving Workshops - London E8 - Tel: 07900881027 [email protected]
CHRONOS LIMITED, (Rapid tools are part of the Chronos Group)
Unit 2 Southfields Road,
Dunstable, LU6 3EJ
TEL (01582) 471900 http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/
Draper Ref/product code 08689 : DIY Series CLUB HAMMER 1kg (2.2lb)
http://www.rapid-tools.co.uk/tools/08689.html
or – even lighter feel fibre glass handled, below.
Meteorelectrical www.meteorelectrical.com
Tel 0845 301 2016 or
(028) 867 51515
Draper 63350 -1Kg(2.2Lb)Fibreglass Shafted Club Hammer
http://www.meteorelectrical.com/tools_builders-tools_hammers-and-mallets_draper-63350--1kg-22lb-fibreglass-shafted-clubhammer.html?tax_val=1&currency=GBP&country_id=222&gclid=CO_vrenfgMkCFQfgGwodMgENHA
2 kg club hammer
To buy later – for harder stone.
53161: Forge Steel Hickory Handle CLUB HAMMER 3lb = £8.99 (inc 20% VAT)
http://m.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-hickory-handle-club-hammer-3lb/53161?filtered=true
CALIPERS, COMBINATION SQUARE, TAPE MEASURE – measuring
You can buy this later – PROPORTIONAL DIVIDERS/CALIPERS – Brand name Veritas. You can
purchase this from Tiranti’s (link above) but it is more expensive.
http://www.toolnut.co.uk/products/measuring_tools/calipers/Veritas_Proportional_Divider
s.htm
You can buy this later39836: Forge Steel Heavy Duty COMBINATION SQUARE 12"
=£6.99 (inc 20% VAT)
http://m.screwfix.com/details.htm?id=39836&csnbl=1
To buy later TAPE MEASURE
9H/8H PENCILS (you can buy 8H from Cass Art) www.cassart.co.uk they have plenty of
London stores.
GOGGLES, STEEL TOE CAP BOOTS, DUST MASK – PPE Protective Personal Equipment
To get you started – PROTECTIVE EYE WEAR (you can buy from any builders merchants or
stone carving suppliers) http://m.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-builder-clear-lens-safetyspecs/35706?filtered=true
Stone Carving Workshops - London E8 - Tel: 07900881027 [email protected]
To buy ASAP – STEEL TOE CAPS – HIGHLY recommended if you are to carry on stone
carving, even a small stone is heavy and can damage/break a toe/foot if it were to fall off
the workbench or be dropped whilst carrying). You can get very cheap boots on eBay, even
second hand ones.
To buy later - DUST MASK – I recommend them although they are only a necessity if you
are carving stones (like sand stone) that are high in silica 70-90 %. Silica is found in most
stones but Lime stones like Caen, Bath and Portland have a small silica content of 2%.
DUST WILL GET IN THE AIR AND LUNGS PARTICULARLY WHEN BRUSHING/SWEEPING.
WET/SPRAY WATER IN AIR AND ON STONE TO CONTROL DUST.
Please see attached file -Health and Safety Executive – Control of exposure to silica dust. It
also has a table on it to show silica content in stones.
If you feel that you are breathing in dust (you will know because you will be chewing it or it
will come out if your nose when you blow it) then it is good practice to wear a paper mask.
For dust you require a P2 mask, P3 will also do. Below is a link for a mask but you can buy
them from most hardware stores or any stone suppliers.
http://m.screwfix.com/p/typhoon-horizontal-fold-flat-ffp2-valvedmask/57158?filtered=true
If you are creating a lot of dust and using angle grinders and spinners then you will require a
good plastic mask with filters.
BANKER/WORK TABLE
Good cheap sources for homemade BANKER/WORK TABLE. EBay sell old Black and Decker
work benches. You want one with raised feet and the bottom to give extra height (you can
throw sand bags over the feet to stop any wobbling. If you need to increase the height,
breeze blocks can be added to the table. Always be aware of safety though when working
or lifting stones. You can also make a banker out of breeze blocks and mortar.
CARPET to grip and protect stone on banker/work table
CARPET – To be placed under the stone on the banker to protect it, this will also stop it from
sliding around. You can pick up (cheap or free/old stock) samples from a carpet supplier.
Any queries please don’t hesitate to call me even if I have finished teaching you.
Alternatively the stone suppliers are very helpful and could also be able to answer your
question.
Kind regards, Katie