Hi David and everybody else
I'm going to spear you all of my findings and opinions on pneumatic
tools since that has been covered in enough depth I think. I might just
add that personally I use the Atlas hammers ranging from 13/8 inch down
to 3/4 inch stroke length.
These hammers are designed to perform in hard stone. That explains the
relative high stroke length. How ever I don't have a problem using them
for softer stone like Indiana lime stone or marble.
There is however a catch with this hammers you have to use there tools
as well since shank lengs is to be of a certain length typlicly shorter
then any thing else on the market. I tried it with others and I kept
chocking the piston.
I think it has to do with the construction of the hammer which is
exceptionally low on vibration even better then Trow and Holden which is
a very good hammer.
On the subject of tools I sense that there is some confusion as to what
carbide tools are good for. Basically if you decide to start carving
hard materials like French limestone ,Indian limestone gneis, granite
and some of the volcanic materials like basalt you use carbide tipped
tools. Now somebody suggested that that restricts you to blunt angles.
That applies to hard stones only for obvious reasons. You can without
any trouble change the angle to a very sharp pointy edge for softer
materials Now this edges stay sharp for a verry long time if used in
soft materials.
Note that you have to sharpen the carbite tools with green wheels. A
typical aluminum carbide wheel burns the carbide and renders it useless.
In closing If you do not try your self in hard stones you do not need
pneumatic hammers nor carbide tipped tools.
Happy trails
Reto Marti Stone Sculptor, Mason
http://www.retomartistonesculptor.com/
................................................
Our StoneHoo directory has more than 500 links
to stone-related resources, updated every day,
checked twice a month. But it won't be complete
until we have your web site in the database. Add
it at http://www.learningstone.net/stonehoo/
