How do I break stones?

Using approximately 2" thick natural stone to build an outdoor firepit. Looking for the best way to break stones in half. The stones range in size from 8" to 16" long.

Answers:
your local convict?

Other answers:
Do you have some kind of chisel? Probably score then tap one side.
Do you have some kind of chisel? Probably score then tap one side.
Use a hardened chisel and heavy hammer to score a line around the rock. Make certain you have safety glasses on. The line doesn't need to be completely continuous around the rock, but the more the better. Try to have the score line at least 1/16" into the rock. You have now created a 'stress riser"

Using a larger chisel, or hardened rod, and heavier hammer (3 - 4 # mall), deepen the score line on one side of the rock.

Using a heavy mall, 12 - 16# strike the rock on the scored line on the side where you made the deepest scoring marks. If it does not come apart, try placing a 2" x 4" directly over the score line and then driving your car over the rock and board with the score line in the middle of the tire tread. Use the board as a ramp.

Thats the way boss man taught us to do it in the big house. Just kidding. We played basketball and watched cable TV when we weren't in the law library working on our appeals. JUST KIDDING. Man, can't a guy have any fun pounding rocks?
Find a blade that is for stone to fit an angle grinder or circular saw. Use that to score the stone in the desired length. Then support the desired piece and use a hammer to break off the other side.
e-mail me if you need further help. tlcoutdoorcare@yahoo.com
  • when is the best time of year to prune a old apple tree in alberta canada?
  • What does privet, the noxious shrub, look like?
  • would vatamin c in plant make the plant grow faster?
  • I'm a single mother of two. I was wondering would it be hard for people too take my stump grinding business
  • I have soft water and have been using it to water my house plants but they are all looking bad what should ido
  • Is there an Iowa/Des Moines rule or law about which way to put the "good" side when installing a fence?
  • My tomatoes and zucchini are rotting on the vine before they are mature, why?
  • how to irrigate potato?