Plugs and feathers - Tools and plant

[charles hazard]

I need to up-grade a few of my stone working tools and have decided to first of all purchase some new plugs and feathers used for splitting stone. Problem is that no-one seems to be making these nowadays and believe me I've phoned a few blacksmiths over the past couple of days. Got one positive reply from Gibsons in Leeds and they quoted a price of nineteen quid per set :p When I picked myself up I contacted Trow and Holden in the USofA and got a price of 25 dollars (12 quid) for a set of five. Even with the postage this puts the British price into the stratosphere.

I'll be based in Central Scotland area for a spell so any contacts in that region would be sorely appreciated.

[lutonlagerlout]

i have used feathers but for splitting concrete before the old fella bought a kango
i used to have a kind of a primitive drill,like a tube with teeth and hollow inside,you hit it then turned it,by this means you could chase a hole through masonry,but a hilti is much better
LLL

[Tony McC]

Have you tried CMS in Bradford? They offer a range of qualities, and their prices are usually very fair. I buy my pitching chisels from them (now that my Liverpool supplier has shut up shop)