Using Feathers and Wedges to Remove a 1000 Pound Piece from the Original Block

A set of feathers and wedges

Force is an amazing thing! That force is the basic principle applied when using Feathers and Wedges to split stone. The three piece tool set applies force by hammering the tapered wedge between two feathers that have the opposite taper. Simply drill a hole, insert the feathers and pound in the wedge. The force will literally split the stone in a linear 

The feathers and wedges inserted in the drill holes.

Now for the trick. For those who have used the feathers and wedges, you will probably agree that trying to cut a square or rectangle out of a larger block while maintaining a 90 degree cut from the larger block is difficult. Most of the time it will break in a 1/4 moon shape as opposed to the 90 degree break. That is why I am so happy with the break I got tonight. It broke just the way I planned!

The split rock moved out with a pry bar a little to give room for the slings.

The block removed with a gantry crane.

The block sitting on another cut clock.

I over drilled the vertical surface so that there was much less holding it in place. I also used a 3' drill bit to drill the majority of the way through the block. I then went to the other side and did the same thing there. While I was drilling, I started applying the feathers and wedges without pounding them in too hard. This allowed a longer period of force to be applied to the stone, I gradually moved along the drill holes to apply more and more force without working too fast. It worked!

Carving Stone for Sale

I am now listing carving stone on my website, www.mikemccarthysculptor.com, under the Art Work drop down. Below are two of the blocks that are currently listed on the site. I will primarily have Indiana Limestone for sale for now. However, I plan to add other stones as they become available. I will also be listing some gently used tools on this page as well so check back often.

Block 101 - aprox 46lbs. - 9" x 5" x 12" - $15

Block 102   - aprox 90lbs. - 10" x 8" x 12" - $20

Progress on the Fourth of Five Birds for "Cor Liberum"

"Cor Liberum" was slow to get started, but I am already working on the fourth of the five birds for the sculpture. This one is one of the smaller birds (one of the three on the tallest posts). It is split, cut to its rough outline, and now I am refining the shapes. I am still using a diamond blade at this time but will soon  move to the air hammer. It then has to get flipped and the bottom side shaped. I will then switch back to a grinder with sanding disks.

Splitting a Block of Indiana Limestone using Feathers and Wedges

I have always found the process of using Feathers and Wedges to split a stone so fascinating. I think it is the coolest thing that the force these small tools provide is enough to split stone. More importantly, the fact that you can somewhat shape the stone through the placement of the holes is even more amazing.

In this short video, you will see about 20 minutes of work condensed to a little over 1 minute. While 20 minutes may seem like a long time, it reduces this 4' x 4' x 1' block by 1/4 and shapes the end of the tail of one of my birds for "Cir Liberum"

Enjoy! 

The "Cor Liberum" birds are taking shape!

It has been a while since I have posted. This is largely due to the fact that I have been working late on getting the birds for "Cor Liberum" roughed out so I can bring them from the studio home. I prefer to carve at home when I can. I have the smallest one done. and last night, I really made progress on the largest. The wings still need to be thinned out some, but it is well on its way towards finishing out.

The largest of the "Cir Liberum" birds (upside down). The wing span is o little over 4 feet.

Unloading the "small" block - only 5000 lbs

So when Rick called me to let me know he was on his way to the studio he asked "Did you know you were getting 2 stones?" No, I did not know I was getting two stones. I knew about the 24000 pounder. I also knew I had two 17000 pound stones that were going to come sometime next month. I asked how heavy the small stone was the second stone. I knew how much work I had in getting the first one cut 24000 pounder cut down and knew I did not have room for the 17000 pounder yet. He said, "Its a small one...its only 5000 pounds." I breathed a sigh of relief. I told him to bring it on down. I could manage that. 

It was just 6 years ago that I started back carving stone and I thought 150 pounds was WAY too heavy!

"Cor Liberum" has really kicked off!

My commission for the Audubon Campus of Norton Hospital really got off to a running (or should I say Lifting) start this past week. I received a 24000 pound stone that will be transformed into the birds for the sculpture experience. After a few delays, I am very excited to be under way. Now, the "heavy lifting" of carving begins. This video is a little sped up so you can actually see progress!

"If The Spirit Is Willing" is featured in the magazine "Southern Indiana Living"

Its one thing to have your work make it into a magazine...quite another to have a full page photo of your work at the start of an article about the sculpture show it is part of!

I was thrilled to receive a call from a friend telling me that she had picked up a bunch of "Southern Indiana Living" magazine and was bringing them to me because it had an article about the show I had help to organize. When she told me that it had a full spread featuring my sculpture "If The Spirit Is Willing", I was over the moon. It is always an honor when you are recognized for the hard work it takes to produce your art. To have it featured so prominently is amazing!