Splitting A Large Piece Of Slate

[enfable]

Hello, I have a large piece of slate, from an old pool table, that I would like to split from from 20mm - 3/4” to 10mm - 3/8” or 5mm - 3/16.
Does anyone know the best way to do this?
I’ve looked at slate splitting online but the pieces are nowhere near as large. Does anyone know if it’s still possible to do with a chisel and mallet by hand or would it be too large a piece?

[Spicerack]

I wouldn't attempt it unless you don't want it.
Are you sure it's a 'real' slate and not some composite.

[enfable]

Pretty sure it real slate it’s from a pool table that’s about 20 years old.

[Spicerack]

Can you cut a piece/strip off and test it?

[alavahalf]

You would have no problem cutting slate. This can be easily done with an angle grinder fitted with a diamond blade.
As for reducing the thickness of a large sheet of slate with a hammer and chisel. Even a stone mason wouldn't attempt it. Slate is a soft natural material made of many layers which are not uniform in thickness and it will therefore break away in various uneven layers. When slate forms it doesn't get laid down in sheets like plywood.
At best you will be left with a pile of bits to scatter on a rockery.
When your pool table was made, it was machined flat, it wasn't sliced.

[THECORBYLOON]

How are slate tiles made then?

[tonyav]

They are split.

[alavahalf]

With a machine and diamond blades ..
https://youtu.be/IWQzwFOY4HY

[tonyav]

[enfable]

I know slate can be split with a chisel and mallet, by hand. I’m just unsure it I could split a piece this large. Is there an alternative way of doing it?

[douglas9401]

For clarity, which of the two of them in the video clip is the machine and which the diamond blade?

Thanks.

[alavahalf]

Sorry I an not disputing the fact that slate can be split with hand tools.
What I am saying is that you cannot split a 5mm slice as big as a pool table by hand and expect it to survive in one piece.

Tiny tiny pool tables Tony ?

[Mamyalynne]

Alava's link

[tonyav]

THECORBYLOONHow are slate tiles made then?


Avatar Image tonyavThey are split.

[Spicerack]

I was working somewhere (Gloucester way, I think) and all the old buildings had stone tiles on the roof. They were all sinking into the ground with the weight.

[douglas9401]

Those were bungalows, Spicerack.

[The Builder]

Nothing to add to what others have said, enfable............
Except that I wouldn't attempt it either.
I've split plenty of small pieces using a lump hammer and bolster, just the same as for splitting brick, but anything bigger would end in tears.

Leave it as it is. Much nicer than ending up with a pile of crazy paving ;o(

[TonyV]

Can only reiterate what others have said, often slate selected for pool or snooker tables is very "tight grained" to help prevent any warping.