How to Break Up Rock for a Wall

The cobbled nature of rock walls and fences invoke thoughts of historic agricultural practices. Rock walls remain viable options for containing livestock. Homeowners also frequently erect rock walls to add rustic charm to their lawns and gardens. When building a rock wall, found rocks are locked tightly together to near puzzle-like perfection. Piecing together a rock wall often requires breaking up rocks. Break rocks to fill gaps where no whole rock fits or to create appropriately shaped capstones.

Grease pencil
Eye protection
Stone chisel
Rock hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Draw a line where you would like to break the rock, when precise shaping is required.
- 2
  Wear eye protection to prevent eye contact with flying fragments of rock.
- 3
  Position the blade of a chisel at one edged of the stone at the beginning of the desired break line. Orient the blade of the chisel in the same direction as the desired break line with the chisel at a 45- to 60-degree angle.
- 4
  Tap the butt of the chisel handle with rock hammer repeatedly while moving the chisel slowly down the desired break line to etch a line into the stone.
- 5
  Move the chisel to the center of the line, still held at an angle. Hit the chisel hard, moving the chisel gradually outward, until the rock breaks.
- 6
  Trim around a rock by striking the just the edge repeatedly to break off a succession of small chunks.

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