Stone Finishing Tools

Rasps and Rifflers

• Rasps and rifflers, toothed metal tools that abrade the surface of the stone, may be used to remove tool marks from soft stones like soapstone and alabaster. Montoya Sculpture recommends a ½-inch-wide flat rasp for beginners. Rifflers are much like rasps, but are smaller and often have curved edges that allow sculptors to use them in tight spots. They may be used after rasps to remove material that coarser tools leave behind.

Chisels

• Harder stones, such as granite, require a chisel to remove old tool marks. The Sculpture Studio recommends using a flat chisel to chip off ridges left by tooth chisels during carving. They suggest a 9-point bushing chisel to further smooth the granite's surface. These chisels must be used carefully to avoid making deeper marks in the stone.

Rotary Tools and Grinders

• Stone may also be smoothed using electric tools, such as a mini-grinder or rotary tool. Softer stones often respond to an abrasive wheel, wire brush or polishing tool. Hard stones may require the sculptor to use a diamond wheel to remove rough surfaces. Grinders may also be used to polish harder stones that don't respond well to sandpaper. Choose diamond pads for the best effect.

Sandpaper or Sanding Pads

• Sculptures meant to be very smooth may require further smoothing using wet/dry sandpaper or sanding pads. According to the The Sculpture Studio, sculptors should work through stone grits by starting with 150 grit, then doubling the number to choose the next finest paper, such as 300 grit. The final sandpaper may be relatively fine, such as a 600 grit, or extremely fine, up to about a 3,000 grit, depending on the desired degree of polish.