Slate splitting tools · AditNow Community

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Blober
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

Just curious what the basic tools would have been for splitting/trimming?

Having been to a few smaller quarries that seemingly only used hand tools i'd like to know what the basics are.

Also would anyone know what the modern equivilents are now? Would like to get together some basic bits to give it a go myself.

FILTH - Think this is a playground? Think again...

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sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

Hammer, bolsters, slate axes (left and right handed...which are you?), bench iron and a piece of old carpet! :thumbup:

Got it all in the shed here! Will bring it out on Thursday and you can give it a whirl.

The roof on my new extension will need a few thousand slates, so get started! :lol:

Yma O Hyd....

Blober
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

I'm a leftie me! :lol:

Sounds fun to me :thumbsup:

FILTH - Think this is a playground? Think again...

sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

"Blober" wrote:
I'm a leftie me! :lol:

Sounds fun to me :thumbsup:

Thought you were.....I have both :thumbup:

Yma O Hyd....

AdM Michael
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

Basic tools:
🔗109826[linkphoto]109826[/linkphoto][/link]

Modern tools for splitting (second photo):
https://mainz.igbce.de/vor-ort--1-/89784

Modern tools for dressing:
http://www.magog.de/de/service/presse/hightech-in-der-schieferverarbeitung.php

Margot
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

"sinker" wrote:

The roof on my new extension will need a few thousand slates, so get started! :lol:

I could bring you all the slate I find on my pillow on a typical Friday morning; that would suffice for an extension! 😮

sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

"Margot" wrote:

"sinker" wrote:

The roof on my new extension will need a few thousand slates, so get started! :lol:

I could bring you all the slate I find on my pillow on a typical Friday morning; that would suffice for an extension! :o

Typical Thursday Nighter problem..... ::)

Yma O Hyd....

Tamarmole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

You need to visit the Welsh Slate Museum at Llanberis. Last time I was there they had an old quarryman demonstrating slate splitting.

It's a good museum and all the better for being free.

dwarrowdelf
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

"sinker" wrote:

"Margot" wrote:

"sinker" wrote:

The roof on my new extension will need a few thousand slates, so get started! :lol:

I could bring you all the slate I find on my pillow on a typical Friday morning; that would suffice for an extension! :o

Typical Thursday Nighter problem..... ::)

Or the slate I often find inside my wellys after a trip 😮

'I wonder how many breakfasts, and other meals we have missed inside that nasty clockless, timeless hole?'

'The Hobbit'
J R R Tolkien.

AdM Michael
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#10

modern basic dressing tools:

jigsaw with special blade

🔗109905[linkphoto]109905[/linkphoto][/link]
🔗109906[linkphoto]109906[/linkphoto][/link]

slate cutter
🔗109907[linkphoto]109907[/linkphoto][/link]

Blober
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

#11

Thanks for your help everyone :thumbsup:

FILTH - Think this is a playground? Think again...

Blober
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

8 years ago

#12

Resurrecting an old thread! :oops:

Is there a specific type of bolster/chisel that they use for splitting slates? Is there a fancy name for them? Been looking around online and can't seem to find the thinner type of bolsters used to split slates.

FILTH - Think this is a playground? Think again...

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

8 years ago

#13

Try 'cyn manhollt' - the broad, thin flat bolster, hit with the 'gordd y wal' - the heavy, hard African oak mallet...

(From www.llechicymru.info/IQTWorkingtheSlate.english.htm)

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