How to Carve Letters in Stone
Carving letters into stone is fun and might produce a beautiful product, but it requires an investment of time. Stones with names or addresses carefully chiseled into them make welcome gifts. While challenging, carving letters in stone has the potential for reward and appreciation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stone
- Claw chisel
- Mallet
- Sandbags or vice grip
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Dust mask
- Wax crayon
- Lettering stencils
- Sand paper
- Emery cloth
Instructions
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1
Decide on a type of stone to carve. Some stones commonly used for carving are granite, marble, sandstone and limestone. One type may be easier to find depending on your geographic area. Carving stone may be found at home improvement stores and rock suppliers.
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2
Use sandbags or a vise to hold the stone in place before carving. For smaller, flat stones, a vise may grip the stone just below the carving area. Stones that are too thick to place in a vise should be supported with sandbags. The stone must be secured to prevent movement during carving.
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3
Pick a style of lettering such as block or cursive text. Draw on the stone with a wax crayon each letter to be carved. Using stencils as a guide for the letters increases the accuracy of the carving. Put on safety glasses and gloves to prepare for chiseling.
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Use a claw chisel and mallet to carve out the letters made with the wax crayon. Gently outline the letters with the chisel. Carve the stone at a 45-degree angle for best results. A small-point chisel is easier to use and decreases the chance of large parts of the stone breaking off during carving.
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5
Use a stone file to touch up the finished product. The time it takes to file down the edges of the cuts depends on the type of stone used. The process takes longer with granite, for example, which is one of the hardest stones into which letters are carved.
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6
Polish the stone using a small piece of sandpaper or emery cloth. Polish inside the lettering and along the edges until the desired effect is achieved.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear the proper safety equipment when chiseling stone.
References
- Photo Credit stone carving image by sming from Fotolia.com
