How to Make Tombstones
If you could talk with folks throughout history who have crafted tombstones, you will find a common desire: To pay tribute to loved ones by erecting a permanent marker for their final resting place. Whether you make a tombstone the old-fashioned way, with manual stone-cutting tools, or decide to use contemporary power tools, your labor and creativity will leave their own legacy, alongside that of the person you're honoring.
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Things You'll Need
- Hammers (two and three pound hammers recommended)
- Chisels (point, flat, rondel)
- Grinder (to sharpen chisels)
- Granite, marble or other stone
- Rasps for polishing
- Sandpaper (wet/dry)
- Template medium to add the inscription (a sheet of heavy-duty plastic works well)
- Xacto® knife or other blade to prepare template
- Safety equipment (glasses, respirator, ear protection, gloves)
- Generator and compressor (if using power tools)
Instructions
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How to Make Tombstones
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Take safety precautions. Wear gloves, ear protection, safety glasses and a respirator, whether using power or hand tools. The respirator offers critical protection from airborne dust -- especially silica-based dust, which is highly toxic. Ears must be protected from manual or power hammer vibrations, and hands should always be covered to guard against sharp chips -- some of which will hurtle through the air at fast speeds.
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Design your tombstone on paper or in a CAD computer program, if you require a model. It's helpful to make a clay replica of your one-dimensional design. You also can let the tombstone "reveal itself" through the slab of stone you choose as you work. Many artisans let the stone direct the shape of the finished product.
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Choose your stone. Take into consideration your budget, the stone's availability and the stone's sturdiness. Marble is a popular, attractive stone because it is elegant and luxurious looking, but the raw material is expensive and does not stand up to the elements over time. It's a choice that's more aesthetic than practical. Stone cutters prefer granite, alabaster and soapstone because these surfaces are easier to work with, finish beautifully, stand up to all kinds of weather. And decades later, alabaster and soapstone retain the clean lines cut into the stone when first carved.
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Use a point chisel and hammer to remove large chunks of rock to shape the body. Professional craftsmen recommend using a point chisel because it's fast and does the best job of shaping peaks and valleys. A tracing tool will help you make more precise lines along the tombstone edge; use it to define bevels and incised lines. Switch to a flat or rondel chisel to trim and smooth the surface further.
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Finish tombstones made of soft materials with a rasp. Rasps give stone smooth, natural finishing. Though they may leave behind some scratch marks, it gives the stone a natural texture. If you're working granite or marble, try bushing tools to create a realistic, textured surface.
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Use sandpaper to remove scratches and smooth out edges. Professionals recommend silicone carbide sandpaper, because it works well wet and dry. Apply water to the tombstone as you sand so dust particles slide away as the surface is finished. For an ultra-smooth finish, use a water-feed power polisher.
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Create a template for the epitaph that will appear on the tombstone. On a large piece of heavy-duty plastic material, use letter templates or create your own letters using a marker. Use an Xacto knife or other blade to cut out the message. Tape the template over the tombstone and line it up. Use a chisel to carve out the letters and words. When finished, give the tombstone a complete polishing.
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Tips & Warnings
For chisels, experts recommend carbide over steel for long life and better performance. Use a grinder to keep your chisels sharp. Figure out the direction of the stone's grain before you cut. Like wood, cutting along the grain of the stone will give you better, easier cuts and less breakage.
The constant vibration of your hammer can cause numbness in the hands. Get a pair of anti-vibration gloves with padded palms to reduce the impact.
References
- Photo Credit Edinburgh, Scotland, Tourism
