Allen:
You did not mention how thick the slate was. If the slate is the type
used on roofs, it is usually about a 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. If you
place a sheet of slate on a large towel over a hard surface, you can use
the pointed end of a pick hammer to score the size you wish to break
off. A metal chisel and a hammer also works....

To shape the slab is a different situation. If you have ever heard of a
Stilson wrench (used by plumbers in the olden days before pvc pipe) they
are the ideal tool for shaping slate. The stilson wrench has teeth on
the the top jaw (stationary and the adjustable bottom jaw. By setting
the jaws to about a half inch opening, you snap the stilson wrench
upward and the teeth of the lower jaw will take a bite out of the
slate. It takes a little practice, but you can obtain any shape you
desire. Of course it is best to draw the shape in pencil first.
Caution. Wear gloves and safty goggles.

Concerning muck; I have accumulated about six pages of information from
the Internet. If you or anyone is interested, please Email me
privately, and I will send it, rather than post it here.

Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7
http://bmee.net/rosner
http://www.jamesbaird.com/cgi-bin/Ja...d=00000068 48
http://www.jamesbaird.com/cgi-bin/Ja...d=00000068 48


Allen wrote:

I've been given some big slabs of slate that i'd love to try to turn
into forest slabs the way Joe Day does with "Muck" to hold the soil in
place.
I have two questions .... #1 what do use to cut this slate into
manageable peices and drill holes ? #2. On a web page, Joe describes
his "Muck" as peat moss and powdered clay ... reminds me of hypertufa.
Where can i find this "powdered clay" stuff?






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