Hand splitting and sculpting large plinth stones for timber frame foundation

We found a great deal on some old RR bridge stones put in back in the WPA days under Roosevelt. These things are massive, weighing around 1Ton each, and needed to be broken up before being movable.
A cape chisel and wedges made the splits then a stone hammer and some chisels to clean them up and give a more natural shape.
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[@watchful1168]

Can you show us an update on your Hobbit cellar? is it working well and not leaking?

[@LitoGeorge]

Second this request

[@conradealie9304]

Hot dog!!!! It appears Mr. Chickadee is starting another series on building a structure from foundation to finish. You’re the absolute best at these videos Mr. Chickadee. Can’t wait for the next videos showing the progress of the build.

[@Rufio1975]

Hope so. Always enjoy his content.

[@PaulRansonArt]

There's something so satisfying hearing that note change as the rock splits. Lovely work as always.☺☺

[@unacceptableviews1505]

I find this so interesting. My brother was a bricklayer and he really enjoyed working with real stone. So much construction today is done with cultured stone as its roughly half the cost up here. So those few jobs he got that involved real stone were special, and they turned out beautiful. It caused me to admire what our ancestors achieved even more since they had none of our modern tools or machinery. I learn so much watching you that I really appreciate it when you post a new video. Your skill, methods, patience and the resulting projects are amazing.

[@DorianBracht]

I'm interested to see what you build next. They're always real lookers :)

[@littleforest]

Me too!

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

We all are, Dorian. We all are.

[@MrChickadee]

Thanks Dorian!

[@pep33702]

Me three!

[@peterslegers6121]

That's why I'm subscribed to you both!

[@nobuckle40]

Everything always seems so serene when you work. The sounds of nature combined with the sounds of simple hand tools is so relaxing. It is always a pleasure to watch and learn.

[@forrestaddy9644]

My sister grew up to be a very fine cook but cooks are made and their early attempts are not always successful. Dinner one night when I was a lad was a savory beef stew over split biscuits. My sister Pat made the biscuits which were handsome and browned just right - but hard as that stone you were working. I remember my dad attempting to split one trying to make it look effortless but it was clear his table knife was a frail tool for the job. He could have better have used your chisel and wedges - which fetched this recollection.. Pat tried to hold it in and I, cruel brother, for once kept my mouth shut as dad hewed away at his flint buscuit. The storm broke, Pat ran sobbing to her room with Mom following. Dad and I looked at each other stifling our giggles. Ever after, post holes, knotty firewood rounds, anything immune to cutting tools were "like Pat's biscuits" which was unfair because 60 years of subsequent biscuits were delectable and soft. Every family has events that become legend but this one had to be passed on out of Pat's hearing or face a sinkful of dirty dishes. Thank you, Josh, for bringing that to mind. Those aren't mere foundation piers; they rival the Sarsen Stones of Stonehenge. Just out of curiosity, what are you building? Two storeys, three? A water tower? How'd you get them home? In my younger days, I'd have dribbled them two at a time like so many basketballs but I suppose the puny modern generation has to employ more laborious methods.

[@MrChickadee]

Great story, I just cant help thinking, I can only imagine she neglected the baking powder? I used to make ships bisquits like that, basically just cracker recipe without any rising agent, good for breaking out teeth, but great travel food. The reality of these stones delivery is less than epic. I simply paid a neighbor who does "dirt work" to haul them and dump at my place. Spent way more in the hauling fee than the rock...they have laid in a roadside hollow for 30+ years, one had a small tree growing atop it. The old man was happy to get rid of them, for a tiny fee.

[@jonnybkuehl878]

Can't wait to see what this build will be!! Curious, how did you move the stones to their foundation points?

[@Bob_Adkins]

Great to see another episode! Every time I see a chickadee at my bird feeder, I think of you! Feathers and wedges are fun, but take a lot of patient work. First time I have seen them used on 2 sides of a cube-shaped rock. Stone weighs 4K-5K per cubic yard, so those are real groaners!

[@garrysekelli6776]

That's like 2.5 metric tons or so.

[@dicksargent3582]

Just wedges used here no feathers. Feathers and wedges require a round drilled hole to be used.

[@skeetorkiftwon]

@@dicksargent3582 Thats what I was going to say. What is the name of the knife-like chisel he was using to cut the slots for these wedges though?

[@brucewayne2984]

You'd make watching paint dry interesting... HA! Man, you have patience!!!

[@fraserbuilds]

so amazing, really shows the elegance and power of dedicated craftsmanship

[@Neverstopbuilding]

Very cool. We have several large granite stones at our place from an old barn foundation, perhaps I’ll follow your technique. Did you forge those tools? Any specific steel type? It seems like they are all fully hardened.

[@MrChickadee]

Yes, home forged from old cold chisel, simple high carbon steel, water quenched and tempered to leave a hard edge and softer higher up. The wedges are just medium carbon steel, heat treated to be hard at the tip only not struck end

[@dlimla]

History Channel: There is no way that humans had the technology at the time to cut this rock that smoothly it's ALIENS!!!! Chickadee: yeah so I just hit a wedge with the hammer.....

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

This never gets old. Fantastic stone work Josh, Thanks for sharing with us. Your work is really great to watch. Stay safe and keep up the fun you all have. Fred.

[@mbavery1975]

Great video as always. I wish you'd included the closed caption explanations this time though.

[@kenthorsen4558]

We have quite a few rock homes and buildings in our county seat of Galena and what a great piece of history and craftsmanship .

[@robrourke5197]

Looks like a new house build coming up for us to watch. Maybe shown with the students he teaches?

[@curtk8715]

hope you wear ear protection. damage can build up over time...

[@gus473]

👍🏼 Thanks! Splitting rock with the proper hand tools is extremely satisfying! (Yet I'd hate to do it very often or very much!) 😎✌🏼

[@MrChickadee]

true

[@shortfuse43]

Mr. Chickadee makes me want to go out and find a big rock to split!!!!!!!!

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear Mr. Chickadee. 👍👌👏 Oh WOW! Nice, nice, nice, a new video and a new building in progress (and that means more of those fantastic videos coming)! Very well done again and as always (video and work). Of course I'm eagerly looking forward to watch the next part. Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health to all of you.

[@DieGottesliebe]

That was some ancient stones, pillars..

[@aserta]

2:15 with stuff like this, that basically nobody does anymore, you have to ask yourself... how many are doing the exact same thing at the same time with me, or at least i do. I reckon you could probably fill a room with the results and that's about it.

[@HilderbrandOutdoors]

I thought that would take 48 years but you did it quick.

[@tkjazzer]

Shaping to natural shape is just for looks? Why not just leave them rectangle? Water doesn't run off?

[@MrChickadee]

Mostly looks

[@KarlBunker]

Fascinating. I've seen stone split using star drills (which make round holes) and wedges with drifts before, but this method of using a chisel to make slit-shaped holes and then using only wedges is a new one on me. I only wish there were subtitles or a narrative to give a little more information.

[@jonboy8181]

Wow! How did you get them to the site?

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty impressive work, dude! Just fantastic! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@rexmundi8154]

I’ve been obsessed with splitting stone. We have some land on the South Elkhorn creek here in Ky that has a lot of nice limestone.

[@GaryT1952]

Beautifully done!...I'm in New England, wish granite could be worked like that

[@MrChickadee]

In researching this splitting technique with cape chisel, I found documents from your area showing granite worked in this same way, albeit slower.

[@GaryT1952]

@@MrChickadee Interesting, living on Cape Ann, most old cut granite shows signs of star drill with feathers and wedges. Thanks for the reply

[@Jacksterific]

You make that look so easy. Most of the quarries here in Washington state produce granite or basalt. There is one quarry that produces sandstone (used to build the state capitol building). I recently built a stone retaining wall using local granite from the Columbia Granite Quarry in Ranier. Heavy stuff! I believe it is 160 lbs/ cubic ft. I tried both feathers/wedges and wedges only. Mixed results. Would have loved to get the sandstone but the quarry not in operation. I still enjoyed the work and the challenge.

[@JakeSpeed1000]

You sir have the patience of Job.

[@mr.t2977]

As always, love the videos and craftsmanship! Wonder if you'd show how you move those stones with such precision?!

[@jdearr1]

Have you ever come across Audel's Carpenters' and Builders' Guide books? They've got all kinds of stuff. I have a set from 1923.

[@MrChickadee]

I have seen those great stuff

[@nosaltiesandrooshere7488]

Thanks for this Video Mr. Chickadee!

[@haku-jin]

Iron feathers will significantly reduce wear on your wedges and make splitting go faster.

[@MrChickadee]

this method uses no feathers

[@jimc4731]

Thanks for the tip, hakujin! JIM

[@byronk1987]

Love the giant square! Brings out my hillbilly ingenuity

[@JDK45ACP]

cool work. I'm very excited to see the whole project go up! Semper.

[@not2tees]

Thank you Mr. Chickadee for your contemplations.

[@rolfnilsen6385]

That is some eminently workable stone.

[@bildahome]

Pjew, I’am not the only one who does this everyday…. Just kidding!

[@hantranthi5503]

Bạn nên làm nhiều video về chặt cây,xẻ gỗ và chế tát công cụ làm mộc. Theo tôi nghĩ kênh của bạn sẽ phát triển hơn.Đó là ý kiến riêng của mình. Chúc sức khỏe bình an.

[@jamesa7506]

Turning big rocks into small rocks!

[@tomandtinadixon]

Hmmm. Barnhenge?

[@brownmold]

I cannot properly express how much I find this such a great stress reliever, to listen to nature and you working while I slave away at my 9-5. You are living the dream! Thanks Mr Chickadee!

[@jlmfoy365]

Always a pleasure to watch you work Mr C. Regards Jim UK.

[@TomChaton]

Have you ever tried wetting dry wooden pegs in holes in the stone? I'm sure I read once that the expansion of the wood can cause the stone to crack.

[@MrChickadee]

didnt work for me

[@TomChaton]

Well if you couldn't get it to work, I won't bother trying :D

[@rehoboth_farm]

Strange. I was just researching WPA projects earlier this morning. Everything really is connected.

[@ricco8733]

Pretty soft rock.

[@lomoDaniel]

Honestly, how many times did you hit your hand?

[@MrChickadee]

a few

[@eugeniomarins2936]

Dear Sir, Very interesting sound track. The blokes of Mogwai would like it! Cheers from Brazil!

[@Budietoyka]

Ah yes, the best gift I could get for my birthday today - A video from Mr Chickadee!

[@jonathanravenhilllloyd2070]

Does 'Chickadee' have some specific meaning to European North Americans that's lost on me, a poor European European?

[@jacobv_]

I hope we get to see the frame go up as well.

[@maxwheeler8387]

Why pour water and scrub the stones

[@MrChickadee]

clean them up for next step

[@free_society_of_upright_in_YaH]

At least now we know how aliens built the pyramids :) ! Very cool.

[@Lone-Wolf87]

A new more advance and sophisticated Stonehenge. That is the new project.

[@markpinther9296]

I will argue that the side wedges are probably not necessary but certainly don’t hurt anything by being there. Especially with such a narrow span to break open. Always enjoy your videos sir! Thank you!

[@MrChickadee]

just trying to be careful, dont want a runaway crack to destroy these beauties.

[@robertedwards7749]

It's been a while since I saw one of your videos. I am still in awe over how you work. I do have a question. As you were tapping the wedges into the stone I seemed to hear a high pitch hit and every once in a while more of a thump sound. Is this due to the density of the stone area you are going through? Finally I want to wish you, your Dad, your family and friends continued health and happiness. May God continue to watch over all of you.

[@andrewlast1535]

I would probably have a stroke doing this but modern Tom Sawyer here makes me want to take a whack at those chisels like Hercules? Lol Truly a master craftsperson.

[@ericv00]

There is something very recognizable about the stone in the Appalachian mountains. Never been to this channel. Don't know who you are. I've lived on the west coast for more than 15 years. Those are stones from the Appalachian mountains if I ever did see them.

[@Antreus]

Can we get your stylist on the phone so we can have a bunch of Chickadees running this town

[@jor4288]

Mr. Chickadee needs to calm down and stop chattering so much. J/K!!! I love the videos.

[@daytonscott6613]

What kind of rock is that? Limestone?

[@MrChickadee]

sandstone

[@carolewarner101]

Another beautiful functional building in the making!

[@-joe90]

and in this way the pyramids were supposedly made, and with copper tools....🤔

[@adamcfmacdonald]

Wonderful. Thank you. What kind of stone? Stay well.

[@scottschmidtmann2540]

Great video! I love the hat!

[@1956vern]

Awesome! I’m so happy to see you back cracking rock!

[@ridethroughlifertl]

I always look forward to your videos.

[@johnkmcgregor5209]

Excellent although am almost deaf it would be great to have captions as well. 👍🏻

[@banrircardot]

Thanks for the content!

[@pyronac1]

what is that? that stuff is cutting super easy. too easy. i wouldn't even call it stone. come try that with the rocks at my property out by Yosemite.

[@mikecurtis2585]

Always great videos! Fun to learn new things!

[@beornwhetstone2797]

Nice to see another project take shape

[@henryhhhderas3025]

Amazing, as always love your work

[@judah1276]

He is a man on a mission!!❗❗

[@iblong9505]

Missed your work. Glad you're back

[@anonony9081]

Great work...and before anyone says "see the Egyptians could have built the pyramids like this" remember that they were working with granite and supposedly only had copper tools. They also still had to move the 100+ tonne blocks sometimes miles from the quarry. They also did it with tolerances as tight as 1/1000th of an inch and surfaces finished so smooth they still reflect like mirrors many thousands of years later

[@johnmark7777]

Look at Mike Haduck's videos on how the Egyptians did it. Easier than you think even with hard stone. The pyramid blocks were mostly rough fill and the final stones on the slope were finished in place. You can still see unfinished blocks in the process of being shaped to slope. He shows you.

[@beans1557]

New workshop?? Love it already 😤

[@joshuahasson9687]

I admire your patience. I would’ve been cursing to the heavens when working in that tight area between the two stones.

[@MrChickadee]

i was haha

[@smckee9063]

Seeing the "split" starting is so satisfying to watch!

[@grantwilliams630]

1. This video was insanely satisfying to watch. 2. what is the use of the plumb bomb? Is it just positioning the stone correctly?

[@idontthinkso666]

yes

[@dudenoone1712]

Cant wait to see what it turns into

[@wompbozer3939]

So you’re saying ancient aliens did this?!?!

[@hammeredanvil7377]

Looking forward to this unfolding!

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Great to see you back, Mr. C. What are the dimensions for the timber frame? Looking forward to the next video.

[@MrChickadee]

18' square

[@wassneg3521]

I envy your hard work and patience!

[@MKS5]

Thank you so much !!!

[@christofs-a1834]

Tamping the earth near the finished stones to adjust their height?

[@craigmooring2091]

What is the Rockwell hardness of that cape chisel?

[@TerryC69]

I'm stoked! Can't wait to see this one go up!

[@jimurrata6785]

So satisfying when the wedges stop ringing. 💪

[@jimf1964]

Can’t wait to see the build that’s coming up with this! I just love this channel. 2 questions, 1. those blocks will be the foundation for the structure, but what will they be sitting on? Just a few inches of gravel? Was it dug out, or what? And 2. The tools for splitting were home made, or did you buy them special?

[@MrChickadee]

Check our other videos for stone setting details. The chisel and wedges are home made.

[@fred-san]

NEXT ! . -Ü- .

[@undomesticated7504]

Did you do anything special for your subbase or was it just compacted gravel?

[@MrChickadee]

Just gravel

[@chaugen1]

Is that limestone? Not much of a geologist...

[@Grunt49]

Great info!

[@Carterironworks]

You make this look way to easy, wish the done here worked that well.

[@donaldtrabeaux5235]

That was awesome

[@sydneyevans2637]

Good morning, Mr. Chickadee ! Always a pleasure to see you. There must be great satisfaction in seeing the beginning fissure in the rock. The sound that tells you that you can lay your hammer down very soon. Very much looking forward to your project. Best regards to you and your family.