Stone Structures of Northeastern U.S.


	Quarry Tool Gallery


	Introduction These are photos of the authors’ collection of stone quarrying tools collected at flea markets, antique shops, and yard sales primarily in northeastern Massachusetts. The collection is incomplete and does not represent all the different types of tools used in the quarrying and stone masonry work, nor does not represent all of the bit sizes found at quarry sites. However, not withstanding the collection’s limitations, it still provides valuable information on quarrying tools.

	TOOL SAFETY: Many of this old tools are easily found in antique shops and flea markets. It is tempting to use these old tools for modern stone masonry projects. However, it is important to remember that these old tools can suffer from metal fatigue, cracks, and other defects. For safety reasons, please purchase modern tools and keep your antique tools for display purposes.

STONE QUARRYING

Types of Stone Quarries

Stone Quarry Tools

Quarry Tool Gallery

Stone Splitting Methods

Historic Articles on Quarrying


	Gallery #1 - Hand Plug Drills

Tool	Length	Bit Size
A	12”	3/8”
B	6 1/4”	1/2”
C	10”	1/2”
D	7 1/4”	5/8”
E	7 1/4”	5/8”
F	11”	5/8”
G	11 1/4”	5/8”
H	13 1/4”	3/4”
I	14 1/2”	3/4”


	Observations: One of the key characteristics of the plug drill is it “V” shaped bit. A flat “-” shaped bit tends to create a triangular shaped drill hole, whereas the “V” shaped bit creates a truly round hole. The drills are made from either hexagonal or square iron rod stock.


	Gallery #1A - Hand Plug Drills

Tool	Length	Bit Size
A	6 3/4”	5/8”
B	7 1/4”	5/8”
C	7 5/8”	5/8”
D	7 1/4”	5/8”
E	8”	5/8”
F	8 5/8”	3/4”
G	10”	5/8”
H	13 1/2”	1/4”


	Gallery #1B - Hand Plug Drills

Tool	Length	Bit
A	10”	9/16”
B	9 1/2”	5/8”


	Gallery #1C - Hand Plug (Miner’s) Drills

Tool	Length	Bit
A	15”	1 1/8”
B	7 3/4”	1 5/8”


	These plug drills with flared bits are mining plug drills used for drilling blasting holes. They are documented in British sources but not in American sources. Both are probably of British or European origins. “B” has what appears to be a hardened steel bit.


	Gallery #1D - Hand Plug Drills

Tool	Length	Bit
A	19”	1 3/8”
B	27”	7/8”
C	17 1/4”	5/8”


	Gallery #2 - Hand Star Drills - Tapered Bits

Tool	Length	Bit Size
A	11 3/4”	3/8”
B	11 1/2”	3/8”
C	6 3/4”	1/2”
D	12”	7/16”
E	11 3/4”	5/8”
F	11 3/4”	5/8”
G	11 3/4”	5/8”
H	11 1/2”	1”


	Observations: This photo illustrated the hand star drill. It has a double or crossed bit. The bit as the characteristic “V” shape like the plug drill. All of the star drills were made from hexagonal iron rod stock.


	Gallery #2A - Hand Star Drills - Flat Bits

Tool	Length	Bit Size
A	7 1/8”	1/2”
B	12 3/4”	3/4”
C	12 3/4”	3/4”
D	15 3/4”	1 3/16”


	Observations: This photo illustrated the unusual hand star drill. It has a flat bit rather than taper bits shown gallery #2. Tools A, B, C are made from octogonal stock. D is from hexagonal stock.


	Gallery #2B - Hand Star Drills - Misc.




	This unusual star drill is 9 1/2 inches long and has a 3/8”. It was used as a hand drill at one point. whether it was intended as a hand drill or a machine drill in unknown.


	Gallery 3 - Hand Cape Chisels (Part 1)

Tool	Length	Bit Size
A	5 1/2”	3/16”
B	6 1/4”	3/16”
C	7 1/4”	1/4”
D	8”	1/4”
E	7 1/4”	1/4”
F	5 1/2”	3/8”
G	6”	3/8”
H	7 3/4”	3/8”
I	8”	3/8”
J	7”	3/8”
K	7”	3/8”
L	7 1/4”	3/8”
M	7 1/2”	3/8”
N	8”	3/8”
O	10”	3/8”

Observations: All of the cape chisels are made from hexagonal iron rod stock (with the exception of “A” in next gallery photo - below). In addition, they are all hand forged. The tip of the bit generally flares out wider than the rest of the flattened section of the tool.

Gallery 4 - Hand Cape Chisels (Part 2)

Tool	Length	Bit Size
A	6 1/2”	1/2”
B	7”	1/2”
C	8 3/4”	1/2”
D	8 1/2”	1/2”
E	9”	1/2”
F	7 1/4”	9/16”
G	13 1/4”	3/4”


	Gallery 5 - Hand Cape Chisels (Misc.)

Tool	Length	Bit Size	Comment
A	3 3/8”	3/4”	Small size
B	5”		Angled End (Mortar removal)
C	5 3/4”	N/A	Modified into pointer
D	7 1/2”		Angled End
E	8 1/4”		Angled End


	Gallery 6 - Hand Carving Tools

Tool	Length	Bit Size	Comment
A	7”	1 3/4”	Marble carving tool
B	6”	3/4”	Chisel / Cape hybrid
C	4”	3 /16”	Chisel
D	5 7/8”	1/2”	Chisel
E	7 1/2”	1/2”	Chisel
F	4 7/8”	5/8”	Chisel
G	7 3/4”	3/4”	Chisel
H	7 1/8”	7/8”	Chisel
I	11 1/2”	3/8”
J	7”	n/a	Pointer
K	8 3/4”	n/a	Pointer
L	11 1/2”	n/a	Pointer

Gallery 6A - Hand Carving Tools

Tool	Length	Bit Size	Comment
A	4”	1/2”	Small Carving Chisel
B	6 1/4”	3/16”	Pointer
C	6 1/2”	1/4”	Pointer
D	9”	5/16”	Hand forged chisel
E	9”	1/2””	Chisel
F	8”	9/16”	Gouge
G	12”	3/8”	Gouge


	Gallery 7 - Flat Wedge Plugs

Tool	Length	Width	Thickness
A	3 1/2”	1”	7/16”
B	3 1/2”	1”	1/4”
C	3 7/8”	1”	1/4”


	Comments: Thickness was measure at the top of the flat wedge plug. It tapers to a point at the bottom. Currently we do have any flat wedge feathers in the collection.


	Gallery 8 - Round Hole “Plug & Feathers”

Tool	Length	Width	Thickness
A	3 3/4”	7/16”	1/2”
B	5”	1/2”	5/8”
C	5 3/8”	1/2”	3/16”


	Comments: Measurements are for the plugs (i.e. wedges). Different diameter round holes had different size plug and feathers. The feathers show in “A” are the typical 19th and early 20th century commercially made “half-rounds”. They increase in thickness towards to bottom.


	Gallery 8A - Round Hole “Plug & Feathers”

Tool	Length	Width	Thickness
A	3 3/4”	9/16”	9/16”
B	5 3/4”	3/4”	5/8”


	NOTES: “A” tapers on all four sides from 9/16” at the top to 1/4” at the bottom. “B” is a typical wedge which tapers on only two sides to a sharp point.


	Gallery 9 - Machine Powered Drills, Capes & Chisels

Tool	Length	Bit Size	Comment
A	8 1/4”	5/16”	Cape Chisel
B	8 1/4”	9/16”	Cape Chisel
C	9 3/4”	3/4”	Star Drill
D	12”	1 1/8”	Star Drill
E	11 1/2”	n/a	Pointer
F	7 1/2”	1 1/2”	MarBle Chisel
G	6 1/2”	3/4”	Chisel
H	7”	3/4”	Chisel
I	7 1/2”	11/16”	Chisel


	Gallery 10 - Machine Powered Drills Bits (Modern)




	Two modern 20th century screw-on flat star drill bits. (a) 1 5/8” bit labeled “645 Brunner & Lay H 1 5/8”. The off center hole is for compress air to flush out any stone dust. (B) Is 1 1/2” bit labeled “CRD”


	Gallery 11 - Miscellaneous Tools

Tool	Length	Bit	Comment
A	11 1/4”	5/8”	5 Bit Star Drill
B	11 3/4”	13/16”	3 Bit Star Drill
C	16”	1 5/16”	Spoon*


	*The spoon was used to remove stone dust from the drill hole.


	Gallery 12 - Quarry & Masonry Hammers




	Hammer A - Typical quarry / masonry hammer. It weights 4 3/4 lbs. It used with a variety of hand tools including drills and chisels.

	Hammer B - 2 3/4 lb hammer with a replaced wooden handle.

Hammer C - 2 1/8 lb hammer axe - Ax blades are formed by twisting the iron 90 degrees. Possible a quarrier’s or mason’s tool.

		Hammer D - 1 1/2 lb Mason’s hammer


	Gallery 12 - Quarry / Masonry Hammer


	Quarry or Stone Mason’s Hammer - 3 1/2 lbs, 4 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 inches. 1/2 inch diameter hole for handle.


	Gallery 12 - Quarry / Masonry Hammer

This is a blacksmith’s swage hammer for sharpening flat bit star drills. It weighs 4 1/4 lbs and measures 6 inches long by 1 5/8s tall by 1 5/8”s wide. The bit is 2 inches wide and was used with pneumatic (compressed air) machine drill rig.The center hole in the bit allow compressed air to blow out rock dust from the hole.