I Tested Building the Viral Rock Bench

[@angelashortall9778]

Bro, as respectfully as possible, we don’t mind waiting a longer amount of time between videos if it means we’re gonna get to see you do it right.

[@polarbear02474]

ikr😅

[@jacknimble8331]

Facts

[@eBBeLBeBBeL]

tru

[@nickyt3269]

respectfully of course. that bench could have been more finished. i know youtube really wants consistancy, but maybe every 2 weeks instead?

[@marykalter13]

agree but i loved this bench sorry if that's unpopular

[@rylenpretty5756]

Don’t start rushing videos out, I’d rather wait longer for videos to come out with better projects.

[@thunderb00m]

In the original video you can clearly see how the rock was levelled with the wood in the dovetail. It perfectly fit together to give a smooth top instead of the uneven mess here. Don't even get me started on the other side. I understand it was something quick and dirty for a video but i would not want to see or use that bench at all.

[@lpsg405]

Shop Shades can't even protect my eyes from that bench.

[@BFT88]

LOOOOOLLLLL

[@mrmacc1312]

Put up a picture or video of your version….

[@Brick12349]

@@mrmacc1312bro shut up, open your eyes and stop defending him. Im sure he knows its not the greatest he could have done, and its rushed. The biggest problem with this bench was the meaning behind it, and that it was supposed to be used as a “gift” for someones mother to get excited over having grandchildren and this was the finished product they came over with. I get its a KZbin video and videos gotta get out, but they definitely should have remedied the one side that looked bad and even if it took a little bit longer, at least they could walk away saying they didnt just give up halfway through and just throw this garbage away in someones moms backyard as a “gift”. So many amazing projects and ideas come out of this channel. but we can all say honestly that this was rushed and a bodge job. It happens occasionally but it just cant be handed off to someone close to you, and framed as a gift, especially looking like that

[@ni_wink84]

@@Brick12349there’s always the viewer who likes the people more than the products and that’s the problem lol

[@ni_wink84]

@@mrmacc1312no one else is claiming to be a woodworker and posting it on YT. Us as consumers of these products are allowed to and should say what they think, I don’t build houses but I tell you when one is a POS. Because it doesn’t meet my needs. Other people don’t need to do the same work to have an opinion on the things they buy from a company trying to make a profit off it. I can tell you McDonald’s sucks but I don’t have to be in the burger industry to say that.. stop supporting the person and think about the products being sold

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

I always try to say something positive, but this looks *phoned in* , like something I'd do...NOT GOOD!

[@mrmacc1312]

Wheres your youtube making this stuff I’d like to see it until then try and learn instead of tearing people down

[@Danoliveira3]

​@@mrmacc1312 why are you under every comment deffending this build?

[@JanPeterDeVries]

@@Danoliveira3because he has no life and doesn't understand the concept that you are allowed to give your opinion on something without having done that thing yourself as well.

[@Leo_Y09]

@@mrmacc1312 Critique and tearing people down are different and people need to learn again that critique is good and necessary! This end product is rushed out and not finished.

[@emptyforrest]

@@mrmacc1312 the whole "lets see you do better" arguments are so damn stupid. you dont need to be a 3 star chef to be able to tell the food i just ate taste like shit.

[@midnightorchid9731]

This looks like you cut a notch in a rock and plopped a piece of wood on it, messed up and just said "Meh, she's a grandmother, she will love it anyway", like when a grandkids gives you a drawing and you don't know what it is, but you take it and say nice things about it, just to be nice... But I guess this is what you get when you rush to get things done for KZbin...Should have went back for a new rock 🥴

[@LaughingInTiny]

At this point though, that's kind of the MO of this channel. There's not much quality building here anymore. I used to put up with his obnoxious personality because the builds were cool. Now I don't bother.

[@williamjawbone3385]

It's rough looking for sure. I couldn't present that with a serious face thinking I did a good job..😂

[@jamestheferret]

The word "plopped" is absolutely bang on! The original blends the stone and wood together making them look forever bonded, his does just look plopped on and I don't think it would look any worse to just have the plank sat on top of two cut stones no dovetail

[@ryanconran7940]

I think this project needs a re-visit. The dovetail isn’t flush with the rock. The other side looks like he just got lazy. The whole point of the project is to follow the natural curves of the rock. Instead he left two square corners on the end of it. It makes it look like a diving board for a hobbit. Notice how the guy in the tik tok chose granite. It has a relatively smooth outer finish and gradual curves and he matched the wood to those. P.S. I’m not being hurtful/hateful to John and his team. It’s called honesty and it seems to be lacking these days.

[@williamlayne6786]

"diving board for a hobbit" LOL

[@emptyforrest]

honestly, its a bit on brand. many things he does are rushed and could with a little extra time at every step be made to look so much better.

[@2044Nick]

I never comment but had to because the end result was pretty disappointing.

[@zog6940]

I think the soon-to-be grandma agrees. Her reaction sounded so much like a parent acting impressed with a scribble that a toddler makes 😬

[@MakeWithMike]

What brand jigsaw was that ?

[@AlexanderPerez-lb5ij]

@@MakeWithMike festool jigsaw barrel grip

[@projectrebuild908]

I hope there is a revisited video like the shark table. No one is born a stone mason. I would love to see what yous learnt on this one that you can take forward to the next.

[@vexistentialist]

If everyone had a good time doing this, and the end result was genuinely enjoyed by the Mom...cool. But the majority of comments here echo my feelings...it looks half done and unprofessional. -Once it was apparent that a dovetail couldn't be done in the one stone, a new stone should've been procured. -All edges & corners, both stone and wood, should've been rounded off. -While I'm obviously not going to suggest that huge stones like this be "tumbled", they definitely should've been ground/sanded a bit smoother. -The gravel the bench is sitting on is eventually going to scatter/settle. Ground should be planed free of debris for a permanent seat. If you're looking at comments like mine and saying: "Well you do it better, then!"...you need realize that you're defending poor craftsmanship. No, I can't do better, because I'm not a professional wood or stone worker...but I know for a fact that this crew CAN do better. I also know what looks good...and this bench ain't it.

[@PerformingNerd]

If someone goes to the trouble of making me a bench, I'm going to say how nice it looks (especially if they're pointing multiple cameras at me) even if it looks like this...

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

@@PerformingNerdthat’s the problem

[@killerspetsnaz]

Couldn't have said it any better... I mean the rock isn't even aligned with the wood, if you sit on the corner, you're going to feel that rock on your butt and it's not going to be comfortable... The bench is horrible, the finishing is horrible and it would've been better to just admit it and drop the project, since they clearly didn't have the time and/or patience to do the job right.

[@Koselill]

Ive always hated the "you do better" argument. Uhm no. We have eyes, humans like symmetry and things that look aesthetically pleasing, its why the original tiktok has millions of views. Its like saying a restaurant customer cannot critique bad food because they are not chefs. Its ridiculous. And Ive been a chef.

[@AlexDoes]

half-arsed that one mate.

[@AstrixCloud]

Had me thinking "why did i sub to this channel again?!" 😂😂

[@WonkyStud]

@@AstrixCloud big mouth and a lot of money goes a long way if you are USA on yt these days

[@Tomeccho]

​@AstrixCloud because *occasionally* the crew does make some cool shit.

[@marykalter13]

wrong.

[@zacsyoutube]

This is absolutely one of the benches of all time. Got to say it looks phoned in.

[@RndmPolar_bear]

Next project should be a custom high end swing set playground.... The mom mentioned it in video and it would be cool to see what you come up with.... Maybe even try a crazy AI inspired jungle gym.

[@gimmeaford9454]

yeah, Flintstone's style

[@janina8559]

@@gimmeaford9454😂😂😂

[@daniellec2172]

Yeah but please educate yourself first on basic safety standards so her grand-kid doesn't strangle themselves in a hoodie going down the slide or break their neck..

[@cphaatn]

Should have used ramen noodles.

[@mrmacc1312]

Should have learnt better manners

[@arsonfrog69__97]

i don't know the context behind this comment, but you're right random commenter, he should have used ramen noodles.

[@UnholiestJedi]

Yooooooooooooooooooo! Savage AF! LMAO

[@DanielCrist]

@@arsonfrog69__97 search for "ramen noodle and super glue repairs" on KZbin. It's a semi-satirical Chinese video based on a crafting and modeling trick. However, you can legitimately use a similar technique to do fast repairs on a much smaller scale with super glue and a powdered aggregate. For instance when needing to fill a small gap and you need the work to be fast and strong, say for resetting a screw that's been ripped out of a cabinet door, it's long been a commonly used trick to apply super glue over tightly packed saw-dust, cigarette ash, or baking soda, in order to create a filler that's rock hard in seconds. None of that is going to save this bench though. Actually... wait a minute... the crushed up ramen might end up having a very rock-like texture to it - random commenter might be on to something! 😂

[@teaganthornbrue]

@@mrmacc1312 dude the bench looks like 💩 be quiet

[@Befuddledzebra_6]

Gotta say man, this does not at all live up to the quality you are able to produce. Missed the mark by a mile here. If she truly likes it, no harm no foul, but come on man. You know you can do way better

[@miindthegaap]

I would really love to see your second attempt at this

[@RumbleRumble57]

Does the phrase " one man's trash is another man's treasure " come to mind for anyone else. Make that bench into a real bench. We all know you can do better. We all love you, but PLEASE fix that beach for her.

[@marykalter13]

nah

[@fabiogiacomelli3410]

With you guys level of talent I expected more.

[@jonathanmeinert]

I’m Joes older brother JJ, my wife and I are having the twins and my mother loves the bench. Thanks for everything guys, we will have to send a picture of her on the bench with the kids once they arrive. Just need some baby sized shop shades for them to wear now!

[@paulwan215]

As long as she's happy that's all that matters ❤

[@seansumner5234]

Truth be told, I like it. There's a rustic charm to it, and it's unique. Plus, it fits perfectly with the look of the pond area.

[@Kats4Brekkie]

You should've gone back and found another rock to use for the other side. It looks weird on that 2nd side. The side with the dovetail looks incredible, but you should've curved edges. I love one side, but the flat side just lets it down, and I am not sure how secure it is in gravel with toddlers running riot. Or even climbing on it. The idea was fantastic though! Just wish you'd taken time to do that 2nd side properly.

[@b.e.381]

I agree. It sucks to have to remake half of a project, but I've been there before. He should have gone with another rock to match the dovetail side. Maybe he'll give it another shot.

[@Wytmyke]

It looks like an extra large charcuterie board with a stone holder 😊

[@DanielCrist]

Ouch, I would not be happy with that in my yard. If both sides looked like the right side it would actually look pretty good. It might have looked better if it was a little wider also. I think it should be fixed up and the left side redone.

[@mickobee]

She was absolutely just being nice at the end

[@toddoron]

LOL all the other comments are right. You may as well have just set a board across the top of two rocks.

[@Home_YouTube_Channel]

Dumping trash at their house and so heavy they can't get rid of it

[@LorenzoTamorri]

Man i laught so hard 😂

[@manjotgillsingh]

As a first try, honestly it looks really cool, especially that you didnt have a plan to follow and just winged it. You can always revisit and make it better as youve done with your other projects, but keep on doing these new cool builds!!!

[@stillfree14]

Why make someone a gift if you don't want to put any effort, time or money into it. It looked like crap and you couldn't have cared less about gifting someone it, this just seemed you wanted to generate some money from KZbin vids so you used a "gift" as a the reason then put no effort money or time into it to be stingy just to make profit from the video. And the result was a poor video and a poor quality bench and unfortunately a poor excuse for a gift

[@marykalter13]

literally so wrong

[@LaughingInTiny]

@@stillfree14 exactly 💯. This was an insult, not a gift. How is this woman supposed to deal with this? And honestly, you don't treat your crew with enough respect to also disrespect their family. Poor form all around. 👎

[@davidteeman7934]

My granddaughters could have done better than that. This is why I rarely watch this channel

[@theidlehandsworkshop3884]

That was sweet, the fact you even got one dovetail cut in is an accomplishment, especially for your first time doing it in stone. I'm going to add this to my list of things to never attempt lol. Great job and it does look really sweet !!!

[@papaoctopus]

Kudos to the editor(s). Always do a great job. Love it.

[@noiamhippyman]

I'm excited to hear your jokes about the response toward this bench. lol

[@janina8559]

I left a comment exactly for that reason. Can’t wait for the response video 😂

[@CatsAndPokemon]

@@janina8559 thats the best part about youtube to me lol! the creators reference or response to the comments

[@debbiehanson5129]

I'm a woodworker of 30+ years, a mom and a grandmother. If someone took the time and effort to build this for me there would be happy tears for days. Great job. Awesome project. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@v_cuz]

i love your work and videos John, but of all the good things you've made, this isn't up there. Looks horrendous only because I know your skill level.

[@mikesantiago1236]

Something he’s never done before for a free gift yea very terrible. Go make the same thing and post your video so we can all tear it apart.

[@adamhalcyon3393]

Ok ok. I'll be the one! Ummmm...looks great. Keep up the ahhhh..work!

[@BFT88]

LMAO

[@belowaveragegamer8270]

she ask if it was a swing set so you gotta build her a cool ass swing set

[@mromutt]

We could hear the thought in the back of his head when she said that "shit!" lol

[@Andrew-wb9kg]

9:56 that knife is a ZT0566, a discontinued model. Which leads me to believe that John is an avid edc knife collector or at least connoisseur

[@moodcreates4168]

Thank you! Thank you so much for adding Latin audio, now it's really an experience that is 100% enjoyable! Without missing details having to read subtitles or missing phrases with "slang" Big hug from Argentina!

[@reaperofburgers]

Well... It's a bench for sure.

[@TheWebstaff]

John Malecki taking other people great ideas and then recreating them as it you've suffered repeated bangs to the head! CTE: The more you know!

[@PerformingNerd]

@@TheWebstaff I started laughing at this 15 minutes ago. And here we still are.

[@TheWebstaff]

​@@PerformingNerd 😂

[@Rekoyl116]

id ask you to take it back. looks like someone built a diving board out of building site trash.

[@Ohio-Patriot]

That’s kinda what I thought too. Looks like a diving board. 😂😂

[@BryanLesher]

Listen, Colonel Sanders making an appearance randomly, ALWAYS appreciated. Also, I feel like John and the gang are the personification of "it's more about the journey than the destination." None of us are likely to go out and even attempt this, but I enjoy watching them try something they've never done. It's great!

[@JBravo1134]

It may not be for everyone, but I can say I'd definitely sit on it and enjoy the pond. So job well done!

[@rohitgoyal7258]

After seeing the comments looks like nobody is liking it.

[@thunderb00m]

Lol, You had to see the comments for that ? C'mon man, develop some judgement skills of your own instead of relying on the internet hive mind.

[@terrafirma5327]

@@thunderb00m It's an observation... they never said it was their opinion.

[@DerekSmit]

I thought it was just me, but after seeing the comments now I know

[@kittysoftpaws3677]

​@@thunderb00mtake your own advice and develop critical thinking skills. They probably meant they realized it was probably gonna be bad because of how many people thought it looked bad. They never said their actual opinion on how it looked. They simply said they had low expectations.

[@greatestever3094]

⁠@@thunderb00mwatch out guys we got a total badass over here😂 You feel like a big man now bud

[@flavor8100]

Should have gone back for one of the other rocks and made it properly. Also the dovetail sitting under the stone looks like shit. Functional though!

[@Narque]

yeah the more i have watched this guy the more it seems like everything he makes is just a bodge job XD

[@heyjohnsmith]

I love that they didn't! One side dovetail was the way to go, has a modern touch, simple yet elegant

[@Angel-mi6qs]

@@heyjohnsmith it looks like a half made abandoned project tbh

[@kbye5323]

He said it was the first time he’s ever done something like that. How many dovetails cut into stone have you done?

[@herms0069]

Please link the video of you making this, please? If you can't, then maybe you shouldn't criticize others who at the least try.

[@TimnParks]

For getting into a new material that he's never worked with before, it's functional. Seeing it at a sculpture garden would be a different feel for it from seeing it in a country home back yard. Hopefully this is just the beginning of you playing with stone work in your projects.

[@BlaqAdam]

This was extremely wholesome every step of the way

[@jpmerlo4094]

Hey guys. I’ve only recently been subscribed so I’m binge watching. Thanks for the wisdom but most of all I see a cool business owner with a lot of tolerance and a huge cheerful disposition. That’s awesome! I love the environment and willingness to let other fail in the attempt to learn. Then keep on laughing. Thanks again.

[@kirbyhunter2639]

I expected much worse having spoilered myself with the comments. Y'all are judging it based on what you personally would enjoy. What i see is sentimental rocks that have retained a lot of their original looks, of which is very angular and sharp, it sorta makes sense the piece of wood is also quite sharp and with harsher lines, but that just my opinion. It seems the person who it was given too really enjoed it ❤

[@PerformingNerd]

Am I alone in thinking the end result looks like trash?

[@TheWebstaff]

One side looks ok. It's a shame they decide to put that side face down.. :D

[@CapnPink28]

Nope!

[@syriuszb8611]

@@TheWebstaff Wait, the side down has big holes in it, parts are splitting, why is it better? The thing that makes me go "meh" about this is that they did not even out the top of the stone to be level with bench. And the stones, I don't know, they could have work on them more, so they don't have markings from previous use (or visible markings from their work). Also I suspect that it will become wobbly with time (if it is not wobbly already) since it is just laying on rocks.

[@MacalusoWoodworking4777]

Then do it better if youre so good

[@gabrieldias3479]

​@@syriuszb8611 "yes" to everything you've written

[@ionlycomment9134]

I want to say that I really enjoyed the video and I'm glad you posted it. I think the beach is good for what it is which seems like a more diy result than the polish that your audience is used to. I hope you can mix stone and wood again with what you've learned and get something really cool because I think everyone sees the potential. I think carving the wood where it meets the truck to have a rock like texture and look would really be cool. Maybe some 40 or 60 grit sandpaper on an angle grinder since you couldn't use a cutzall disc. And like a few other comments a diamond cup grinding wheel should really help you get some flat smooth areas.

[@psychorabbitt]

Am I insane for thinking that it would have been easier to cut the dovetails in the wood, then use the wood to mark the stone with where the cuts need to be?

[@danieldornberger]

Jepp, thats how i do it, and it works just fine. Strait cuts at the dovetails, less work

[@dustydarkhorse]

GC and Woodworker here, Demo Saws like that are easily my favorite tool to use hands down. So much raw power in your hands, not as noisy and messy as a jackhammer. Might have to try this project sometime

[@htownblue11]

I respect the effort and venturing into something you don’t do every day. I think only dovetailing one side turned off people. It’s unique and I am sure she loved it. That’s all,that matters not a bunch of internet opinions good or bad.

[@AdamsFA2024]

22:16 “thing we can do now is smash the rock, Joe said it would look best” is where that sentence should have ended. Missed the brief on this one fellas in the nicest way possible as I normally love your creations

[@sdfsdf2205]

I wasn't expecting a Michelangelo sculpture in any means, but jeez...

[@goboymarri]

😂

[@clintburden4405]

I don't do any woodworking, but this is still my favorite KZbin channel. Thinking of starting though

[@williambond913]

It was a perfect fit to the yard and perfect hight for her it was perfect in all ways the change up at the end made it look better in my opinion and if the stones were foundation stones for the old family barn you just brought it back to be the foundation of her family memories and that sir is perfect 👍

[@jppianoguy]

PSA: that saw is no joke, it is to be respected. A local guy was helping a neighbor in a storm clear some debris and it kicked back and killed him.

[@JJE2010MO]

John, you should hook up with Marmota Works and do a project challenge!! You guys are both on top level skill.

[@trssho91]

the u-haul box truck thing surprised me when I moved between states. I rented the biggest truck they had, went to hand them my class B CDL and they let me know -- no air brakes, under 25k lbs... no CDL required... I guess technically thats correct, but seeing how people drive passenger cars it seems like a questionable idea. ;)

[@patrickhigdon7050]

you need to lower the guide on the bandsaw until it almost touches the wood. then you wont get as much deflection in the blade.

[@socalmetaldetecting]

Looks like every gift a child made for their parents at school.

[@safe1968man]

Love how you all have your "Shopshades" on while your driving to Joe's house.

[@bobbytables4305]

NGL... I don't even lowkey hate this. I hate this with all of my being.

[@johnkennedy1139]

I loved it and can imagine sitting out there with my new grandson. 😊

[@mrmacc1312]

In a world where everything is obsolete before it leaves the factory this bench will stand the test of time for years to come, I think its an amazing gift the family will enjoy. Love your honest, raw videos!!

[@scottcountryman6090]

All the people saying don’t rush videos do not understand that John probably has commitments to sponsors that require weekly videos or at least on a specific timeframe. Also the algorithm rewards creators who post often and on an exact timeline. Consistency is the key to longevity and often times wins the fight over performance. That being said KZbin channels are constantly evolving and changing. Just like musical acts creators product and mindset change and evolve over time.

[@jaredjoscelyn733]

It’s like all the last few videos have been Jon starting a project, just to not do it the way it was supposed to be done. Then giving the half baked results to us to watch. Still love your channel.

[@MikeNOtie]

Everyone wearing shop shades in the car is f@&$ing hilarious. 😂

[@toxictaps8426]

Pretty nice XL charcuterie board with a 2 piece pedestal for it to stand on

[@SilverEngold]

When you inevitably revisit this, I think it might look cool if you use one stone, and book match it so the insides are all straight and the outsides will have the natural look to them.

[@derekjenkinson8014]

So John Malecki, what’s your take on the Egyptians making the pyramids with hand tools?

[@ignus9928]

John: I make custom high quality professional furniture! Also John: @17:15

[@stilllife8]

"I make high quality professional furniture and have people pay to take classes from me." Honestly, if I was thinking about buying one of John's classes and saw this video I would immediately reconsider.

[@mroozendaal]

Sorry to say but this looks very bad. You can do better than this.

[@AdamJessup-v5e]

One and done, doesn't make it right. Practice makes perfect, remember that next time.

[@shrades]

You are much more talented than this bench would indicate.

[@benjiekatkam]

John's shop shades are 🔥🔥🔥

[@AtrumNoxProductions]

All y'all complaining about the bench, why don't you make one? I know I couldn't do it! Even with access to his shop. Someone took time to make something for me, spend time thinking about the project, and thinking about me. That alone is priceless.

[@RJSDZNS]

Hey look! The dolly has come in handy!

[@The_Slavstralian]

Great... Now I need a stone pile... Thanks Malecki!

[@patknights1492]

They're beatin' your ass in the comments, dude.

[@UnholiestJedi]

Irony is he's getting cooked so bad he probably doesn't need & won't see this comment. Lol

[@SargeWolf010]

Aww adorable puppies

[@MartinDuncan-d1g]

Just binge watched 3 years worth of you tube to get to the newest ones and I have to say that it's not the worst

[@Anonymous-mx9dh]

This is awesome. I also grew up in a middle class family with a middle class bench and middle class shotguns

[@dustynbeasley6261]

A swing set would be a great idea!!! 😂

[@GriffinH-h1f]

Watching videos like this reminds me that he has an actual wooden furniture business aside of KZbin, which I really hope receives more time and effort than the furniture that gets built in these videos. Love the return pallet videos on the Unscrewed channel though, that stuff is genuinely entertaining

[@felicio1881]

9:25 hell yeah Joe throw some strongman into the shop content 🫡🫡🫡 scratching two itches in my brain 🧠

[@Midgaardsormen]

I want more with the puppies! You should totally build the most insane playcastle for your kids, with swings, slides, a fort with a scope so they can watch for Pirates and so on

[@0Heeroyuy01]

i love the Bam stuff in this video, b/c yesterday i watched the Bam documentary 🤣ahhh memories

[@michaelgoff9671]

That was a shitty imitation of the original . The dovetail section is cool but overall that thing is ugly. It looks like something you quit halfway through.

[@chrisallen2005]

Because he did.

[@g-rod5199]

I think it looks nice, don't necessarily need to be an extravagant piece for an outdoor bench.

[@EdHadder]

I Love John Malecki Videos 💙✌🏻

[@nialogann]

Doing something for someone else is super cool!!

[@rubiconbaron9662]

I love how you own the company and you have guys working for you but you're still the muscle.

[@stopdropanddrumroll]

Nice project. It’s fun to try new things

[@aboredgeek7127]

I once drove a 26 foot U-Haul with a trailer on the back, carrying a full size 1984 Chevy pickup. No CDL or experience required. It was wild!

[@Andi.Mitchell.Designs]

3:58 not John the nose picker 😂

[@darlawrence9295]

Professional woodworker, amateur booger miner! Just don't tickle it, go deep for the gold nugget.

[@Thunder0010]

Ok everyone whom was watching heard it right? Next video idea for the kids....swing right would love to see you build one of those for the kids and slide too.

[@payday510]

Lotta dust coming off that angle grinder, I'd be wearing a respirator. They're your lungs though, if you wanna fill 'em with silica that's on you.

[@GregsStoneYard]

Ethan Stebbins work is great. The key is patience. He spends months on a piece. That stone is actually much easier to shape than the granite used in the original.