Quarrying 15 Ton Granite Block By Hand

[@gilliankies355]

The world moves so fast these days, it's really nice to watch a craft like yours, where slow and steady wins the race. Thanks for taking a few minutes to explain what each tool does to help you. It's fascinating!

[@cpnotill9264]

I bought some feathers and wedges and was satisfied splitting the stone for my greenhouse. Alfred really is very grounding and a joy to watch his craftsmanship.

[@GaryT1952]

Now that was impressive! I live in Gloucester MA and walk through the abandoned quarries frequently, often wishing I could just observe the quarrymen back in the day. Their discards and off-cut piles contain better stock than is available at stone yards today. It was a huge industry on Cape Ann that just about disappeared overnight.

[@ericwiltz6584]

Howdy VT, I would absolutely say successful. Having some 1/2-3/4' solid rod and getting under the block will help you immensely. If you don't have a bull set and trace from T&W I would get them, though it's a two man operation with them. A super magnets mount on an old stick or golf shaft, kicks ass in recovering feathers and wedges! The Chinese make good feathers and wedges at a fraction of the price and hold up well. I subscribed, lots of fun!

[@freedomfighter4990]

Day-um Alfred! Can't believe you were able to do that all by yourself. You're a wizard! 👍🏽

[@Felix-oy2jg]

Love the vid!! Please make this a series or give at least a follow up! I really Would love to see what you'll make out of that rock!

[@shawnfuller351]

Everyone needs a friend like Afred

[@goaway3717]

I love seeing the blend of old techniques and modern equipment being used to accomplish great things.

[@portialancaster3442]

Wow! I never knew watching someone pound rock could be so relaxing.

[@LpoolDogLover]

WOW! That is a lot of work! Glad you enjoy this work. This was very interesting. Thank you for sharing!

[@jenford7078]

That was fascinating to watch, glad you are being so aware of the power of the earth moving in large junks!

[@MrCybersnow]

That thumbnail looks great! That's going to bring some people in for sure!

[@jotaro__]

Our buddy Alfred casually lifting the side of a mountain with a bottle jack, as one does. You might want to look into hydraulic air compressors if you have heavy machinery up there already, might even get away with an air powered drill that way. Also that jack needs a longer lever... Do you have any regular check in / dead mans switch set up when you're working such big jobs by yourself?

[@ChildhoodConsoles]

Yeah! I enjoy watching your videos. Extremely different and educational from what’s other humanz show. Cheers

[@cpnotill9264]

I know who would win if I arm wrestled you!!!! 😂

[@ross6343]

Nice job getting that initial split done by yourself! As I was watching, I was thinking 'dang...I wish I lived close by your quarry site' because I'd be able to share some 'tips' I learned using plugs and feathers and some self-made bigger wedges to help drive that stone apart. One 'tip' I can share is get yourself some Dawn dish detergent - the thick stuff - to lubricate the 'plugs' when hitting them. Look forward to the next video! Cheers...

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I greased them earlier in the day

[@charlesaucoin9541]

Missed your videos. Glad your posting again. Are these the stones your bringing to Morgan for his retaining wall..

[@emmanjacob6996]

Whatching from the Philippines. 😄

[@naerwyn239]

Hi from California!!!! o7

[@wildgoose82667]

I have a dumb question. You said you plan to cut it up into smaller pieces. So why not just take smaller pieces off? It seems like the risks of what you did might outweigh the benefits. I have never split a pebble, so this isn't a criticism. Just looking to learn

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I've found, and conventional wisdom holds, that it's generally easier to split a block more or less in half, this generally results in a better split. I was able to plan my splits ahead of time and attained the desired size cap stones by continously splitting the piece in half

[@vivalapita8484]

Was a little concerned when I saw the jack, glad you were as far away as you could get. XD

[@BlueMusicFan]

This is fascinating - a single human being being able to split such a huge boulder! I would love to know long that took you. Watching from Germany by the way!

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

Ich glaube drei Stunde

[@BlueMusicFan]

​@@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062 Wow, ich dachte das dauert länger.

[@lindag4484]

Ja, tage!@@BlueMusicFan

[@S4ngheli05]

@@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062 Liebe Grüße aus Bayern! ✌

[@lindag4484]

You are a good and talented man, Alfred and apparently very good buddy too, as I have discovered by following another good and talented man on KZbin. I know nothing about this, but I am 'all in' with fascination watching you do this. More videos please!

[@visverkoper1]

Those are some scary pressures you are working with there sir. Be careful. We like you Alfred.

[@maolsonpf]

Friend, you have gonads of granite! One of the better vids I've seen in a while. Thanks

[@madampolo]

Wow! I never thought you could do what you did. I thought you should have broken off a much smaller piece. If you want to move that massive thing more you will need to take the excavator and dig out the dirt in front of it. I think it will move for you then. You didn't say what your plans were for using the granite you get from it. All I can think of is tombstones or granite walls.

[@nancywebb1845]

Amazing to watch. There's just no shortcuts to this kind of work is there.

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

Fasinating ,ive watched yhen cute marble in italy in vids . Nice cute .thankyou for sharing . I found you due to Gold shaw farms . Your vid came up on my feed .

[@myssixensen7516]

That was awesome work, Alfred!!! thanks for sharing what a man with a hammer can do!

[@liegesaboya33]

Your videos makes me feel good ❤. Excellent four our hearts ! I can assure that is a kind of visual and sound healing experience for me . I love Bossa Nova . Greetings from da Terra do Samba , Brasil . Happy New 🎉 Year ! Best wishes, thanks for your nice video ❤

[@bjorn7355]

Great to see you back!

[@quietkate]

Glad you're back posting.

[@Spudscave]

Loving the channel Alfred greetings from a damp cold Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I just returned from a trip to Scotland! I am going to post a brief montage from that trip

[@barbarahouk1983]

TY for taking us along. I'm in the 11th hour, but I am sure you don't mind I am late to this party. I enjoyed seeing how you split a mostly even face away from the mtn.

[@chox2001]

Really interesting how that works, great video thank you.

[@Drayran]

Quite tense to watch at one point but I am glad things turned out good for you.

[@midei]

Very interesting indeed. I had never seen an operation like that. Thanks for sharing.

[@gregsullivan8956]

Good to see you.

[@chrismoore9686]

I didn't understand a word of what you were saying, but watching the process and end result was fascinating! LOL

[@carolynnr.6409]

Thanks for the demonstration of the second oldest profession in the world,

[@rayer12311]

nice vid alf very educational👍

[@skrtskit1521]

Very interesting. Amazing. 💕💕🎶🎶

[@matthewzuleger4569]

Be watch falowing you now for a while, its odly relaxing watching you work so hard. some time talk a bout what you can sell the stone for, have no idea. if your going to start doing work this size you are probobly going to have to step up a numatic hamer drill 3/4 fethers and wedges and drill the holes deper that gust what you need for the wedge. But cungrats, also did 4 by 4.5 X 10 X 170 lbs per cu ft 30600 lbs you nailed that

[@jeno264]

Very cool to see how that is done! 💖

[@phyl692]

Fascinating come on Alfred do some up to date Vlogs please?

[@c.caub5315]

Loved watching

[@adelaferreira4575]

Wow ,that was ambitious but you made it happen ! cutting stone that large is a labor of love,as I watch your videos I am breaking stone with non of the good chisel and wedges you have ,no stores nearby sell them unfortunately ,but thank you I am learning a lot from your techniques !

[@kenibnanak5554]

I would have had concern about the shear strength of the bolts, and also the small size (20T) of the jack compared to the weight of the block. Assuming Black Granite of 5'x5'x15' you would be looking at about 38 Tons. I would have possibly made 2 more mounts and with a second jack bolted at the top far end thereby added to my leverage. Also I would have a 3' length of steel pipe to use as an extension bar for the jack handle. That way if something snaps I would be a little further away. I use a hand siphon pump with a hose to blow out my drill holes on the slabs in my woods.

[@devmeistersuperprecision4155]

It’s a pleasure watching you at your trade to relief my issues. Dealing with lawyers. But the good news is that I am going to need stone. Looks like I am headed to Topsham. Keep up the good work and see you at the end of the muddy season.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

Holler when you land in Topsham!

[@ogieogie]

Hypnotic.

[@danknugz7605]

Hey brother im a fellow granite lover and usually work stone everyday. Splitting boulders putting in walls making beautiful art. If you ever come to Sault ste marie On let me know id love to talk hammer n trowel with you pls. I bring home boulders everywhere i go

[@Zachry86]

Absolutly fascinating what you can do with "hand tools". Insane project. Inspires me to tackle some of the huge boulders on my land. Have you considered dropping something in the cracks. So that when you wedge it open it drops down further keeping the crack open?

[@steverusie6986]

Wow that is awesome!

[@michaellewon3868]

Thanks for the Education !

[@jacobbakowski3934]

I love it when you tease that block off.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

You know the deal

[@ede-jomadden8182]

Enjoyed the video -- good music, great camera work, but, what if you had been injured? Who knows where you are? Do you have your phone in your pocket? (Yes, I am somebody's mother.) Looking forward to the next one!

[@thelittlethingskate9567]

Incredible. Imagine quarrying the granite for the Salt Lake temple!

[@gilbertlast8221]

i realy love your vidz keep it up....Jst dnt get killed in the process

[@makkenr]

Nice rock!

[@brucealvarez9263]

Excellent result with a plan to start. OK, now how do you get it moved somewhere?

[@Shibalvr]

Awesome! 😊😊

[@thomasrobinson8960]

Absolutely amazing

[@naerwyn239]

PROPER. QUARRYING. ACTION!!!!!

[@naerwyn239]

This video put a huge smile on my face. ^__^ Thanks, Alfred.

[@stephenriley9084]

👍

[@RonnaHarlow]

Hey - what an interesting video! Thank you! The 2nd half music was interesting - some of the sounds I thought was the granite splitting ... I had to listen really closely - also, what was the vegetation growing on the side? It looked like leaves but stuck to the granite.

[@naerwyn239]

Moss and Lichen! ^__^ I thought it was beautiful, too.

[@lburton874]

Need a longer stick on the bottle jack.

[@devemch7851]

Hey Alfred.... How do I contact you in Vermont. I am up in Topsham and need to get stoned.... need to get some granite for a mill foundation. Your drop piles look absolutely juicy.

[@astinky]

This is awesome, ive bee cutting all my stone with a quick cut. Just bought some feather and wedges, will have to give it a shot soon, lots of granite at the cabin!

[@liegesaboya33]

Hi Alfred ! Have you used 1/2" drill and wedges to split this rock ? Thanks , have a nice day

[@williambaker9125]

FWIW my 18v Bosch blower has a nozzle for blowing out holes, if you think that would be a helpful solution for you. Also, there has got to be a way to get a hydraulic cylinder/jack that can run off the hydraulics of you excavator, no?

[@jbbrown7907]

My buddy Alfred!!

[@paulehd]

Wow great o;d school workmanship.

[@veritylife8432]

Where are you, are you okay?

[@jacknature5981]

Thanks Albert, amazing video! How many hours did that take altogether?

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

Probably would have been three if I hadn't been filming

[@inspecta10]

A question, if you use at cut off saw to make the line instead, do it have the same effect?

[@NobodyImportant-m1x]

❤ it's because of y'all that humanity has outlived every nation to date. PS, I'll try an extension on the jack.

[@danunger2784]

So impressive

[@richcastro8990]

Hi Alfred :)))) 👋

[@thcrs1]

Do you ever just yell at the monitor "put your eyeglasses on!"

[@dj_cat_mama]

Not great that you work alone. Just make sure you work smart and safe!

[@pshuang415]

Wow.

[@IbelongtoJesus.]

Hey Albert 👋 👁️ 👁️ 👍

[@fahim4629]

MA Buddy Alfred

[@paulvcope]

Be safe Alfred. I'd hate to watch a video from you as found footage instead of a purposeful upload.

[@DanielReeves-u2j]

My dude, grease your feathers and wedges. I makes the splitting easier.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I greezed them a bit

[@miditrax]

Whack Crack Like 😃