Stone Structures of Northeastern U.S.

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	Quarry Tool Gallery

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.


	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: This photo illustrates the common plug drill used to drill round holes in stone. 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 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 #1C - 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

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 glayyer #2. 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 I)

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 II)

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 - Misc. Hand Cape Chisels

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 & Feather”

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