I'm a firm believer in using the best quality tools you can afford....but these run to a pretty penny here in the Down Under..(see my prices here) Stone Buster
Just wondering if they are worth it? $260 for a hammer?
I've wanted to buy some of their tools just to see what that price would get me but I'm just a poor landscaper - plus, I don't do that much natural stone work myself, trying to save my knees.
If everyone sends me a little money, I'll buy one and try it out. Then I will print a review.
Hey FE...I sent you a cheque for a dollar to test the tools with...but after The bank charged me for the cheque, then postage to the US, plus the envelope, VAT, UPS and import duty you now owe me $4.36 Usd. I'd be happy to send a Tax Invoice when you send me the money but you need to send another $3.00 for printing of the invoice and Postage, plus tax on the stamp.
I have 4 carbide chisels. They run about 100 each but they are well worth it. I have had them for a couple years. Once you use a carbide chisel you will never go back.
I also bought a carbide masons hammer but I found it too big to use, it's 3 lbs. Cost about 160 and it sits in the bag. The hammers we use the most is a spalding hammer. It is great for chipping stone and only cost about 25 bucks. Made of steal. They work much better than your typical rock pick hammer. I don't think t&h has them. I have had a hard time finding them.
I have 4 carbide chisels. They run about 100 each but they are well worth it. I have had them for a couple years. Once you use a carbide chisel you will never go back.
I also bought a carbide masons hammer but I found it too big to use, it's 3 lbs. Cost about 160 and it sits in the bag. The hammers we use the most is a spalding hammer. It is great for chipping stone and only cost about 25 bucks. Made of steal. They work much better than your typical rock pick hammer. I don't think t&h has them. I have had a hard time finding them.
We have a "hammer set" with a carbide tip. You can put the carbide against the area you want to split and smash the crap out of it with another 3lb sledge without smashing up your hands. Its nice for cutting granite. We also have a carbide chisel that gets used on every wall job. Expensive tools, but they will last at least a decade, and they make you a better craftsman. Buy them.
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Sorry spalling. It's a smaller hammer probably 16 oz. If i could find an example on the internet I would supply it. I will try and get a photo of the hammer. I think they are great.
We have a "hammer set" with a carbide tip. You can put the carbide against the area you want to split and smash the crap out of it with another 3lb sledge without smashing up your hands. Its nice for cutting granite. We also have a carbide chisel that gets used on every wall job. Expensive tools, but they will last at least a decade, and they make you a better craftsman. Buy them.
Bugger!...I thought someone might say that....now I have buy some
there's no comparison between steel and carbide when it comes to chiseling stone.
We keep them wrapped in canvas because while they are super durable when struck against stone, they will crack if they bang up against metal, so be careful with them.
If you get one and it does crack they are usually pretty good about replacing it.
I love my trow and Holden tools - worth the investment if you are doing a lot of stone work but you don' need to go overboard - A tracer and point and a Rocco are the only chisels you need (with carbide tips) you don't need to invest in their striking hammers - any sledge sledge will do for hitting the chisels. Depending on the size of the rock you are working with get at lease one stone axe (blade on one side for splitting stone along its grain and the other square side for breaking off chunks or dressing the face of stone) the other handy hammer is their hammer that looks like a prospecting or brick hammer - but on the square end it had a bushing (meat tenderizer face) for texterizing stone faces or removing high spots. - make sure the point side has carbide on it as well. One thing I recommend is to NOT have them install the handles -they just don't do that great of a job - save some money and order the handle and head apart and put them together yourself.
I agree with everything Mitchell said. A point, tracer, and chipper will do most of what you need. if not a T&W sledge, get a nice comfortable Estwing. Don't underestimate the value of a comfortable hammer if you're going to be swinging it a lot throughout the course of the day.
The handle thing that Mitchell mentioned... he's right. I have a vertical face stone buster and had the head come off in very short time.
I have no doubt that the cost you experience in the "down under" is due to the importing of the tools from Vermont, USA.
Does Aus. not have tool manufacturers?....or perhaps NZ ?
It seems we don't have any good manufacturers of carbide tipped masons tools. I've been searching high and low for a local supplier and can only find European or American. There are some cheap rip-offs which don't cut the....mustard.
I recently finished a granite wall about 3' high and the stone came from the quarry with very few flats or nice surfaces....it was all rounded and angular. We had to go mortared as without a lot of working (and really good tools) it was going to look like nothing more than a pile of boulders. The client loved it but I was not happy with many aspects of the job. (the quarry recently changed hands and all the old guys who worked there used to look after us with the best stone. Now its take it or leave it. To get some good stuff to work with you need to order about an extra 30% otherwise at the end of the job you have got a pile of the worst stuff to lay and it starts to look like kindergarten not stone-masonry.
After this job was finished we did new paving, new paths, new pool fence (the old one got condemned) and then pressure cleaned and applied the paving sealer to the granite and it came up really good (for what it is). The client was over the moon.....but I'm thinking I have to get some T&H before I start the next one. This one was just bloody hard work without the right tools.....and I ruined about 3 steel chisels in the process.
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