La pedra en sec. Materials, eines i tècniques tradicionals a les illes ...

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•* * *** 4 4.21 THE TOOLS
SLEDGE HAMMER J PICK J STOp,
PUNCH AND SQUARE HAMMER
Description
All of these tools are not particular to
the drystone mason, but come from
other trades and regions. The stop,
punch and square hammer are three
typical tools of stonecutters which
were recently adopted by drystone
masons to more carefully dress the
stones, especially on corners and fitted
borders, replacing the sharp hammer.
The sledge hammer has replaced
the large hammer for hitting the
chisels to shape the stone and the
pick has replaced or complemented
the stone hoe for preparing the land
and clearing.
The stop and the punch are square
iron tools with a flat head. The stop
has a triangular opposite end and a
stem somewhat inclined with respect
to the perpendicular axis of the tool.
The punch finishes in a pyramidal
point.
The square hammer and the pick are
tools that comprise an iron piece with
a central eye for a wooden handle.
The iron piece of the square hammer
has a square cross section and both
heads are equal and flat. The sledge
hammer has two octagonal flat heads
while the pick has one end finished in
a sharp point and the other is a sharp
flat edge.
Size
Stop: 22.3 cm long and 3 cm stem.
Punch: 26.5 cm long. Square hammer:
handle 20.8 cm, iron piece 12
cm long and a cross section of 3.7 by
3.2 cm. Sledge hammer: handle 48.5
cm, iron piece 15.7 cm long with a
cross section of 6.3 cm. Pick: handle
74 cm long, iron piece 43 cm long.
Approximate weight
0.36 kg (stop), 0.3 kg (punch), 1 kg
(square hammer), 2.5 kg (sledge
hammer), 2.5 kg (pick).
Materials of the pieces
The punch and the stop are made
entirely of iron; the square hammer,
the sledge hammer and the pick have
a wooden handle and an iron piece.
Ways of using it
The way to use the sledge hammer
and the pick is the same as that of the
tools they have replaced. On the other
hand, the stop and the punch are
taken in one hand and with the other,
the chisel is hit on its head, fast, hard
and centred on the axis of the tool.
The stop must be held obliquely and
the cutter must be kept parallel to the
cutting line. Only the sharpest edge of
the chisel must be placed on the
stone when it is hit. The punch is less
powerful than with a hammer, but
more precise.
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