AusBonsai

You could always hire a wet diamond saw - they come in petrol or electric. I just use a 9" grinder dry with segmented wheels but I have that for work.

Actually my father in law is willing to let me use his Angle Grinder... this should be interesting haha. Also, very luckily, he happens to have a masonry blade too.................

Will post updates in about a weeks time when I get some more cutting done. Really looking forward to splitting this rock in half.

Cheers,
-Mo

Also, very luckily, he happens to have a masonry blade too.................

Mo, The normal cutoff disks wear out quite quickly so 'a' blade probably won't be enough to do your job. Write down the size of the disk (something like 230x3.2x 22.2 printed on one side of the disk) before you start so you can get more of the correct size when it wears down.

Okay, 9" angle grinder secured with a couple good diamond cutting blades! Going to get.through.this on Sunday wish me luck!

Don't forget to keep those diamond blades wet. Look forward to seeing the finished work

Fun day ahead for you

Ken

Make sure there is no washing on the line before you start And take your time - if you try and force the blade through you will burn the edge of the blade. Stone or rock is much harder than concrete and slow and steady wins the race

Just did a test run on the disc and its going to be a fun fun fun day tomorrow!

Guys and gals... I've hit a hard spot.

The angle grinder has done it's bit and cut as deep as possible all the way around the rock, however ive gone around several times with a chisel and the damn thing just wont split.

Got a nice little slab for a mame bonsai but that's about it....

Bigger wedge and a sledge hammer

bougy's right

if it was mine and i was worried about ruining the rock then i would bash at least 6 timber wedges in and soak it over night and let the timber swell which can pop it off, if not.................... get a bigger wedge and a sledge hammer

Mate at this point I'm so frustrated with this project I might just go the sledger and a few good large wedges. Mmmm wedges.. anyone hungry?

Honeycomb basalt is not your average stone, it's a bit of a mongrel. Although it may split with the wedges, it may not split where you want it to. I use plug and feather to split boulders, depending on the rock it will split clean like a melon but honeycomb can be like a shopping trolley due to the bubbles and fissures resultant from its formation.
What is the plan once it is split in half?

Damian Bee wrote:Honeycomb basalt is not your average stone, it's a bit of a mongrel. Although it may split with the wedges, it may not split where you want it to. I use plug and feather to split boulders, depending on the rock it will split clean like a melon but honeycomb can be like a shopping trolley due to the bubbles and fissures resultant from its formation.
What is the plan once it is split in half?

Assuming I can get it to split, the tops make for excellent landscapes, planning on using one for a group and one for a stand alone. Got three Zelkovas I might put on here. I've also got a large orangey yellowy granitey stone that might just complement the zelkova a bit more... who knows. For now I'm hell bent on getting this to split. Even if I get one good one and 50 mame/shohin slabs I'll be happy haha so I might end up just cutting slots into it to get one side nice and flat.

DONE! and it didn't split where I expected but none the less very interesting results!!

No.1
Nice flat base and interesting character.