Cutting Slates

[horseshoes]

I want to make some slate shabby chic hearts, and want to know how I go about cutting the slates into shape. Any help please?

[Mosaic]

This will be frustrating. Slate has a tendency to shear along horizontal planes. Cutting it into intricate shapes is possible like teaching a dog to walk is possible, It's just not natural or easy.
You will need to use glass 'nibblers' (a kind of plier) to carefully remove nibbles of slate - bearing in mind that at any minute the piece may break along a line of weakness.

[2sp_]

I think if you score the outline and then use nibblers as Mosaic suggests, it might help.

[horseshoes]

Thanks both. So a bit like tile cutting then?

[2sp_]

I think so, but probably a bit harder to do.

Let us know how you get on.

[ChillDoubt]

Could be useful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzy4-C7Rdpk

[horseshoes]

Certainly I will, if I go ahead. I had this idea that it would be quick and simple! Maybe I'll stick to fabric ones. I don't have an awful lot of strength in my hands so perhaps the slate ones are not such a good idea.

[tonyav]

How about using a Dremel type of tool with a cutting blade attached.

[tonyav]

Or.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1311.R1.TR2.TRC0.A0.Xslate+cutter&_nkw=slate+cutter&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[horseshoes]

Thanks for the links guys. I honestly think they would be too difficult for me to use; my hands are VERY small and not very strong at all so I do think I'd struggle. But thank you. I wanted to make some shabby chic hearts to sell, and as we live in the heart of "slate land" where I can get free slate, I thought of doing them in slate. Have seen some on the Internet and as they look "girlie" I thought they'd be really easy to cut.

[tonyav]

Don't give up yet horseshoes, how about something like these.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=slate+cutter&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1311.R2.TR10.TRC0.A0.Xdremel&_nkw=dremel+multi+tool&_sacat=0

[horseshoes]

Now some of those look promising Tony. Perhaps I'll nip down to B & Q or similar and ask for a demo (and perhaps a bit of a test drive). Thank you.

[tonyav]

Yeah, ask for a demo, horseshoes.

[The Builder]

Slate shears and axes are used for cutting regular straight lines horsey.

For shapes, I usually scratch out the shape with a nail, then drill holes all along the shape........ a few millimetres apart. It's easy then to nibble the excess off by hand.

Use a cordless or a slow power drill, but don't use the hammer action. Iy will most probably shatter the slate.

[horseshoes]

Thanks builder.