Chisels have not changed much since they were first developed thousands of years ago. The type of chisel used depends on the hardness of the marble. Traditional forged-steel chisels can be used for softer marble and limestone. For harder grades of rock, modern carbide-tipped chisels are used. Carbide-tipped chisels retain their edge 20 to 30 times longer than the forged-steel variety.
The three main types of chisels have remained the same through time. A point chisel is used to rough out the stone and to remove large areas. For modeling and shaping stone, a tooth chisel is used. A flat chisel is used to create detail and smooth surfaces. All three categories of chisels have countless variations in size and shape to accommodate all types of carving situations.
Water-fed, diamond-tipped saws are used to cut 20-ton pieces of marble. Diamonds are the hardest substance known and have revolutionized stone carving capabilities. Diamonds are embedded in the outer edges of the blades. As the diamonds wear down, so too does the metal surrounding it which, in turn, exposes more embedded diamonds. Such blades can be 9 feet in diameter and mounted side by side to create multiple cuts in one run.
Large industrial saws are used to cut marble for commercial products such as tiles or countertops and to cut larger slabs for building construction. Saws exist in all sizes, all the way down to small gem-cutting saws used in lapidary work. Care must be taken to not overheat or reposition the blade while cutting marble as it may shatter, possibly causing serious injury and damage to the equipment.
Special industrial drills and grinding wheels are used to create beveled edges, holes and texture and to shape the marble in countless ways. These can be hydraulic, electric or pneumatic. These tools can all be used using diamond-tipped bits and wheels. The size and type of power source used depends on the task. Sculpting a small piece of marble might require a small electric grinder, whereas a large sculpture might call for a 6-inch water-fed grinder. Diamond-studded polishing wheels can be attached to these tools to polish the marble surface to a fine finish.