Stone Tools
Stone Splitting Wedges and Shims
Intended Use of Stone Splitting Wedges and Shims
Wedges and shims, or "plugs and feathers", as they are sometimes called, are used to free stone from it's surface, or to reduce it in size. Wedges and shims are available in three part sets (each piece sold individually), comprised of a forged steel splitting wedge that will be used to expand a matching pair of forged steel shims. The combined expansion of a number of wedges and shims placed into a series of drilled holes that causes the stone to split.
Tamco's forged steel wedges and shims are designed to fit drilled holes ranging from 3/8" to 1-3/8" in diameter. The lengths of the wedges and shims will vary according to the thickness of the stone to be split. Thicker and longer blocks of stone require longer wedges and shims to function properly than thinner blocks. Larger blocks also require larger hole diameters than smaller blocks.
To obtain the straightest split, a straight line should be scored onto the surface of the stone with either a hand or machine tracer. Properly spaced holes are then drilled into the stone with a carbide tipped drill along the scored line. A pair of shims is inserted into each drilled hole, with a wedge between them. A hammer is then used to drive each wedge tightly between the pair of shims.
The repeated striking of each wedge in sequence along the inscribed line, one after another, will develop splitting pressure. To obtin the straightest possible split, the stone should be allowed to absorb the pressure of the initial expansion for upwards of a minute before beginning to strike the wedges thus driving them deeper between their respective shims. After several striking sequences, the stone will begin to split along the inscribed line. Once splitting is complete, and the wedges and shims have been removed, the newly split sections can then be moved for futher processing.
Tamco's wedges are heat treated so that each head will become moderately "upset" or mushroomed, by the repeated impact of the hammer. It is a good safety practice to grind off any moderate "upsetting" that may occur on the head of the wedge after prolonged use. Tamco's shims are made of steel selected to resist compression deformation created during the splitting process. As always, all safety equipment shoud be worn when using any tool.
Stone Splitting Wedges and Shims
| Hole Size |
Length |
Wedge Part Number |
List Price |
Length |
Shim Part Number |
List Price |
| 3/8" |
2-1/2" |
45-01594 |
$3.95 each |
2" |
45-01597 |
$2.00 each |
| 7/16" |
2-5/8" |
45-01566 |
$3.95 each |
2" |
45-01597 |
$2.00 each |
| 1/2" |
2-5/8" |
45-01566 |
$3.95 each |
2-1/2" |
45-00735 |
$1.60 each |
| 5/8" |
2-3/4" |
45-00727 |
$3.20 each |
|
45-00735 |
$1.60 each |
| 3/4" |
4" |
45-00731 |
$3.95 each |
|
45-00739 |
$1.60 each |
| 7/8" |
5" |
45-01570 |
$5.25 each |
|
45-01582 |
$2.65 each |
| 1" |
6" |
45-00740 |
$9.50 each |
|
45-00741 |
$3.20 each |
| 1-1/4" |
8" |
45-01568 |
$15.75 each |
|
45-01569 |
$6.35 each |
| 1-3/8" to 1-5/8" |
12" |
45-01571 |
$18.95 each |
|
45-01583 |
$9.50 each |
| 18" |
45-01572 |
$37.85 each |
|
45-01584 |
$18.95 each |
| 24" |
45-01573 |
$47.25 each |
|
45-01585 |
$23.65 each |
| 36" |
45-01575 |
$70.90 each |
|
45-01587 |
$35.45 each |
| 48" |
45-01577 |
$94.50 each |
|
45-01589 |
$47.25 each |
| ** All wedges and shims are sold by the individual piece ** |
Hand Tracer
Hand Tracer
|
Part Number |
Body Stock |
Blade Size |
List Price |
 |
45-01250 |
3/4" |
1-1/2" |
$90.60 each |
| 45-00912 |
1" |
2" |
$98.45 each |
Hard Tipped Hand Tools
Intended Uses of Hard Tipped Hand Tools
CHIPPERS - The Hard Tipped Chipper is used to chip a straight edge onto a flat smooth stone, such as a monument or building stone tht has been sawed, ground, or polished smooth. It is usually used along a chalk line or with a straight edge secured to the stone. Chippers are often used to chip the final edge onto a stone after the set has been used to produce a rough edge. They should never be used to chisel off high spots, or to chip an edge onto rough stone, as rough stone may cause the carbide tip to fracture.
CHISELS - The Hard Tipped Chisel is used to chisel high spots on a stone. It can also be used to trace lines or chip off edges of a stone.
POINTS - The Hard Tipped Point is used to remove high spots, or to shape a stone.
SETS - The Hard Tipped Set is used to remove material along the edge of flat smooth stone. It is usully used along a chalk line to produce a dimensioned stone. If the stone is not smooth and the carbide rests on a high spot, the carbide my fracture.
TRACERS - The Hard Tipped Tracer is used to score a straight line on a stone.
Hard Tipped Hand Chipper
Hard Tipped Hand Chipper
|
Part Number |
Body Stock |
Blade Size |
List Price |
|
45-00956 |
3/4" |
1" |
$88.20 each |
| 45-00913 |
7/8" |
1-1/2" |
$69.80 each |
| 45-00914 |
7/8" |
1-3/4" |
$86.65 each |
| 45-00915 |
1" |
2" |
$98.45 each |
Hard Tipped Hand Set
Hard Tipped Hand Set
|
Part Number |
Body Stock |
Blade Size |
List Price |
|
45-01248 |
7/8" |
1-1/2" |
$91.90 each |
| 45-00936 |
1" |
2" |
$108.95 each |
| 45-00937 |
1-1/8" |
2" |
$118.15 each |
| 45-01244 |
1-1/8" |
2-1/4" |
$123.40 each |
| 45-01249 |
1-1/8" |
3" |
$132.35 each |
Hard Tipped Hand Chisel (Extra Heavy Carbide)
Hard Tipped Hand Chisel (Extra Heavy Carbide)
|
Part Number |
Body Stock |
Cutting Edge |
List Price |
|
45-00916 |
3/8" |
3/8" |
$39.40 each |
| 45-00917 |
1/2" |
1/2" |
$48.60 each |
| 45-00918 |
5/8" |
5/8" |
$51.20 each |
| 45-00919 |
3/4" |
3/4" |
$61.50 each |
| 45-00920 |
7/8" |
7/8" |
$63.00 each |
Hard Tipped Hand Tracer
Hard Tipped Hand Tracer
|
Part Number |
Body Stock |
Blade Size |
List Price |
|
45-01250 |
1" |
1-1/2" |
$90.60 each |
| 45-00912 |
1" |
2" |
$98.45 each |
| 45-00934 |
1-1/8" |
2" |
$105.00 each |
| 45-00935 |
1-1/8" |
3" |
$126.00 each |
Hard Tipped Hand Point
Hard Tipped Hand Point
|
Part Number |
Body Stock |
List Price |
|
45-01243 |
5/8" |
$56.45 each |
| 45-00909 |
3/4" |
$61.70 each |
| 45-00910 |
7/8" |
$66.95 each |
Steel Hand Chipper
Hard Tipped Hand Point
|
Part Number |
Body Stock |
Blade Size |
Length |
List Price |
|
45-02001 |
1" |
2" |
8-1/4" |
$55.15 each |
