Stone processing: This is how it is done
Working stone with tools
Working stone is one of the oldest crafts of mankind. Weapons and tools were made from stone for many thousands of years. This epoch of mankind is known today as the Stone Age. Stone is a hard, brittle and very varied material that still fascinates many people today. People build entire houses out of stone, cover floors and walls with stone slabs and use stone household items every day.
Until the discovery and processing of the first metals, working stone was very laborious and time-consuming. Stone could practically only be worked with other stones and moulded into the desired shape. Today, there are numerous machines and tools for working stone, with which good results can also be achieved in the hobby workshop. In this guide, we have compiled and answered the 7 most frequently asked questions on the subject of stone processing for you.
Table of contents Stone processing:
What are the most important stone processing tools?
Specialised stone processing tools are always required when working with natural stone or ceramic materials. One of the most important tools is a stone cutting machine. Depending on the design and size, you can use this device to cut basically any type of stone, from tiles to gravestones. In principle, these are saws with which you can cut stones.
The second important tool is the hammer and chisel. Chisels are now also available electrically operated. Various impact drills can also be equipped with a chisel. Masonry drill bits in various diameters are also indispensable. However, we recommend considering whether another solution could be easier and safer to use before using a drill bit to cut stone. For example, gluing. A few special stone cutters should also not be missing. Stone cutters can be used to make grooves in stones or to cut edges.
What is a counter stone used for when cutting stone?
A so-called counter stone has the same function when working with stone as a counter board when drilling or sawing wood. A counter stone is attached to the underside of the stone to be worked using screw clamps. This stone prevents the back of the stone from breaking off when drilling or cutting. The pressure exerted by the counter stone on the stone to be processed prevents chipping. The material is held together. With this simple method, clean holes and cut-outs can be made without chipping.
What is the difference between stone, earthenware and stoneware?
The difference between these three materials is, on the one hand, their composition and, on the other, their origin. Stones are of natural origin. Earthenware and stoneware are artificial, man-made materials. The main components of stone are minerals. Around 30 globally occurring minerals are involved in the formation of stone. These include silicates, quartz, mica, feldspar, calcite and dolomite.
In contrast, the base material for so-called stoneware is an alumina that is as pure as possible with an additional high aluminium oxide content. Stoneware is fired from these materials and therefore does not occur naturally. The situation is similar with earthenware. Earthenware essentially consists of clay, quartz and feldspar. This material is also fired in kilns and does not occur naturally.
Do I need special drill bits for working stone?
You should use special masonry drill bits for drilling in stone. Conventional HSS drill bits are not suitable for drilling in stone. The drill bit material is not hard enough. Special masonry drill bits are fitted with carbide cutting edges. These carbide cutting edges are soldered into the front of the drill bit. Carbide drill bits are similarly wear-resistant to diamond drill bits when working with stone, but are significantly cheaper. Carbide drill bits can also be reground if necessary. Carbide drill bits are suitable for both normal drills and impact drills or for use in hammer drills.
What can I use to glue stone?
Which adhesive is suitable for working with stone depends on where it is to be used. For large-area bonding of stone tiles and floor slabs, the trade offers various adhesives for indoor and outdoor use. Polyester-based adhesives are suitable for stones that are installed or laid indoors and bonded to other materials such as wood or glass. Epoxy resin-based adhesives are more suitable for outdoor use. The reason for this is that polyester adhesives can weather over time in outdoor areas. Both types of adhesive are 2-component adhesives.
How do you drill holes in thin tiles without damaging them?
In the bathroom or kitchen, holes are always needed in tiles to hang hooks for towels, shelves or small accessories. A normal drill and a masonry drill bit are required for drilling into tiles. If only an impact drill is available, the impact mechanism should always be switched off . A hammer drill is not suitable for this work.
The drill bit is placed in the desired position and the machine is switched on at a slow speed. When working with stone, tiles are only drilled with light pressure. A good masonry drill does not need much pressure to penetrate a tile. If the percussion mechanism of an impact drill is switched on, the tile will most likely be smashed by the blows.
How can I polish stones?
Stones that are used for decorative purposes look particularly attractive when the surfaces are polished to a mirror finish. Not all stones can be polished. Granite, marble and hard limestone are particularly suitable. Special polishing powder for stone polishing is available in stores. The polish is taken up with a slightly damp cloth and applied to the stone surface. The powder contains chemicals that have to react with the stone surface for a certain amount of time. After the reaction time, the powder is massaged into the surface with vigorous movements. Squeaking noises should be audible. After this process, the stone should be thoroughly rinsed with water so that the chemicals contained in the powder cannot react further with the stone.
Tips for craftsmen when working with stone:
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1. cutting stone
Cutting stone is relatively easy and convenient with a stone cutter. A stone cutter is suitable for precise cutting of paving stones, kerbstones or even clinker bricks and other stones for façade cladding. The effort required is relatively low thanks to the lever design and the stone cutter makes hardly any noise.
2. cutting tiles
Two methods have become established for cutting tiles. There are special tile cutters that are used to score the surface of a tile to create a predetermined breaking point. The second option is a Flex (angle grinder) with a cutting disc for stone. An angle grinder upgraded in this way is suitable for cutting and separating hard artificial and natural stone tiles.
3. sawing stone
Special stone saws with cutting discs or carbide-tipped circular saw blades are used for sawing stone. It is important that the saw blade is sufficiently cooled during sawing and that the saw dust is rinsed out with sufficient cooling water.
4. cutting bricks
The material of bricks is spacious for nature point bricks are therefore very brittle and ensure that saw blades wear very quickly. Special saw blades for reciprocating saws or diamond cutting discs for angle grinders are suitable for cutting bricks. Diamond cutting discs are very wear-resistant due to their hard bond and can cut even hard materials relatively easily.
5. cutting joints
Cutting joints is sometimes necessary if the joints between the wall or floor tiles have become unsightly, if the joints are damaged or if individual tiles need to be replaced. Oscillating hand tools or large machines with a carbide-tipped circular saw blade are suitable for cutting joints.
CONCLUSION:
With the right tools and good machines, working stone is not very difficult. Most stones are very hard, but with the right tools, working with them is no longer very arduous. Accurately cutting and fitting stone tiles for floor and wall coverings is not a major problem, even for non-professionals. Nevertheless, working with stone requires a certain amount of experience in order to achieve the desired result without a great deal of effort and many failed attempts.
Questions for the expert:
Kevin Weidlich
Expert
