Plug and Feathers Rock Splitter - Forged Steel
Stone Splitting Wedge & Shim Guillet
Granite splitting wedge
Sandstone splitting wedge
Precise and controlled rock splitting wedges
Strong and durable rock splitting wedges allow you to achieve professional finishes efficiently. Our stone splitting wedges are specialized for sculptors, dry stone and masonry professionals.
"Feathers and wedges" — also known as plug and feather, stone splitting wedges or rock plugs — are the traditional tool stonemasons and sculptors have used for centuries to split granite, limestone, sandstone and boulders. At Rock&Tools we stock the full range of feather and wedge sets in 8 hole sizes, from 14 mm (5/8") for fine sculpting work up to 36 mm (1 ½") for large quarry blocks. Whether you call them feathers and wedges, plugs and feathers, or rock splitting wedges, you will find the right size for your drill bit below.
Feather and wedge sizes guide: pick the right set for your drill bit
The wedge diameter must match your drill bit diameter. Our feather and wedge sets cover the 8 hole sizes you'll find on most quarry and sculpture jobs, with wedge lengths from 95 mm (4") for fine sculpting up to 500 mm (20") for splitting large quarry blocks. As a rule of thumb, a wedge can split a stone up to 3× its own length — a 200 mm wedge handles stones up to 600 mm tall, a 500 mm wedge handles stones up to 1,500 mm tall.
| Hole diameter | Imperial equivalent | Wedge lengths available | Max stone height (3× length) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | 5/8" | 95 mm | up to ~285 mm (11") | Fine sculpting work, small boulders, soft stone |
| 18 mm | ~11/16" | 150 mm | up to ~450 mm (18") | Garden stone, dry stone wall blocks |
| 20 mm | ~25/32" | 150 mm | up to ~450 mm (18") | Mid-size boulders, masonry blocks |
| 22 mm | 7/8" | 150 mm | up to ~450 mm (18") | Granite garden boulders, mid-size sculpture blocks |
| 29 mm | ~1 1/8" | 200 mm / 300 mm | up to 600 / 900 mm | Quarry blocks, large dry stone projects |
| 32 mm | 1 1/4" | 300 mm | up to 900 mm (35") | Heavy quarry work, large sculpture blocks |
| 34 mm | ~1 11/32" | 300 / 400 / 500 mm | up to 900 / 1,200 / 1,500 mm | Granite quarrying, hard stone splitting |
| 36 mm | ~1 7/16" | 300 / 400 / 500 mm | up to 900 / 1,200 / 1,500 mm | Largest quarry blocks, professional splitting |
Quick guide: which size do I need?
- Sculpting and dry stone hobby work: 14 mm (5/8") or 18 mm sets. Manageable to drive in by hand, sufficient power for boulders under 30 cm.
- Garden walls and small landscaping: 20 mm or 22 mm (7/8") sets. The 22 mm size is the most popular for stone yards and DIY stonework in the US.
- Quarry work, foundation stone, large pieces: 29 mm and above. Professionals usually own a 29 mm + 34 mm pair to cover most field jobs.
- Granite and very hard stone: always size up. The harder the stone, the bigger the hole you'll want for safe, controlled splitting.
How many sets to buy? One set splits one hole. To split a long stone you drill multiple holes spaced one wedge-length apart and place one set per hole. For a typical 80 cm dry-stone wall block, you'll need 4–5 sets of the 18 mm or 20 mm size.
Benefits of Rock & Tools' rock splitting wedges
Our stone breaking wedges will allow you to obtain quality raw material from large rocks for your sculpture or dry stone work.
- Breaks the stone in a controlled and precise way. You will achieve the finish you want, smooth or even wavy cuts. You will avoid using mallets or hammers that sacrifice precision.
- Heavy-duty steel stone wedges that won't warp from pounding. Have peace of mind with a tool that won't limit your work.
- Durable tools for greater profitability. All our tools are treated to remove any rust that may come from the factory and we varnish them to keep them in good condition for longer.
- They do not hinder your work, the work of our materials prevents the stone wedge from becoming encrusted.
Our types of rock splitting tools
We have two types of stone wedges:
Rock breaking wedges.
It consists of a single piece. A straight side where it is hit and a straight edge that is placed in the area to split the stone.
Feather and wedges for splitting rocks
These are the most commonly used. They consist of 3 pieces: two wings that are placed on the sides of the hole and the central piece that is placed in the middle to hit the stone.
What type of wedges is best for splitting stone?
The big difference in selecting between one stone splitting wedge or another is the tools with which you are going to make the pre-cut in the rock.
The wedge cannot split the stone by itself, it needs to take advantage of some crack in the rock or crevice to be able to split it. Depending on what tools you use to make this crack, one type of wedge or another will be more effective.
If you use a drill
With the drill, circular perforations are made in the stone. For this reason, the best option will be the spacer or expander wedges.
If you use a radial
With the radial saw you make elongated indentations in the stone. For this reason, the best option will be wedge and feather shims.
Frequently asked questions when buying wedge and feather shims
Whether you are a professional or just starting out and learning, it is normal to have the following questions:
What are feathers and wedges, and how do they work?
Feathers and wedges (also called plugs and feathers, or rock splitting wedges) are a 3-piece tool used by stonemasons and sculptors to split stone. Two side pieces (the feathers or shims) are inserted into a pre-drilled hole, and a central wedge is hammered between them. As the wedge is driven down, it forces the feathers apart and creates outward pressure that splits the stone along the line of holes.
How many feathers and wedges do I need to split a rock?
Drill a line of evenly spaced holes along the desired split line. As a rule, the spacing between holes equals the wedge length: a 20 cm (8\") wedge supports 20 cm spacing. A single wedge set can split up to 3 times its length, so a 20 cm wedge can split a 60 cm (24\") stone. Use one feather and wedge set per hole.
What size feather and wedge do I need for my drill bit?
We stock 8 hole sizes: 14 mm (5/8\"), 18 mm (3/4\"), 20 mm, 22 mm (7/8\"), 29 mm (1 1/8\"), 32 mm (1 1/4\"), 34 mm and 36 mm (1 1/2\"). The wedge diameter must match the drill bit diameter. Wedge length options range from 95 mm to 500 mm depending on hole size.
Can I use feathers and wedges on granite and limestone?
Yes. Our rock splitting wedges work on granite, limestone, sandstone, marble and most natural stone. For granite and harder stones, we recommend our heavy-duty reinforced steel sets (Guillet and other premium brands). For limestone and softer stones, our standard steel sets perform well and offer better value.
What is shipping time and cost for international orders?
We ship worldwide. Europe: €12 (24-48 h transit). USA and rest of the world: €60. Spain Peninsula: free from €90 (24-48 h). Over 6,000 references in immediate stock. Expert advice available in English, French and Spanish.
That's why you always have access to our advisory service for splitting rocks with wedges.
Personalized advice from Rock & Tools for splitting stone with wedges
Each person is different and that's why we offer personalized advice adapted to your needs. We are happy to help you in whatever you need and for that there is no better way than making it more personal:
- Call us by phone: +34 96 424 10 23
- Contact us by email: info@rockandtools.com
We have a team of professionals who will be able to assist you in Spanish, English and French.
We will answer all your questions, even those to test us and see if we are specialists in the field. We focus on advising professionals and beginners to get the most out of our tools and achieve the results they want adapted to their level. If our options do not meet your needs or are not adapted for you, we will be always honest with you.
