Tool Guide: Feathers and Wedges

Feathers and Wedges remain some of our most popular tools and are available in three sizes.  In this detailed video by Brian Post, you will be taken through setup, what sizes to use, spacing and layout, drilling, history and much more as we split down granite blocks to make through stones and cheek end material.

Brian also shares more information about how to use feathers and wedges (aka wedges and shims) to split stone.  The video is full of basic knowledge and advanced techniques.  Just like building a wall everything is done to improve efficiency while achieving the needed accuracy.  Trow and Holden feathers and wedges were used throughout this video along with the Trow and Holden Hand Hammer.  The Trow and Holden 4lb Stone Busters make a few appearances as well.

As detailed as this video is, there are many more techniques and tricks to using feathers and wedges for improving speed and accuracy, and getting yourself (or the wedges) out of a stuck situation.  You can try out these feathers and wedges in our next 2.50 Intro to Stone Shaping Workshop offered on July 18th.   Brian Post will be one of the instructors.  You can also get an introduction to feathers and wedges in our 1.20 Two-Day Intro to Dry Stone Walling course.

Thanks to professional member TJ Mora for letting us use his stone for this demonstration, as well as for filming the video.