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Stone must be quarried and cut from the earth before it can be used. Granite, marble and sandstone are some of the types of stone used in construction and all have different densities and properties. Lifting and cutting tools must be capable of dealing with a variety of weights and strengths so that the construction industry can move and shape the stone appropriately.
Single-handed Carry Clamps
Used to safely lift and carry stone slabs, single-handed carry clamps allow users to lift heavy materials whilst in an up-right position. This reduces the strain on the lifter's back. Rubber padded clamps prevent the clamp from scratching or defacing the stone surface being lifted. There are many versions available, each with different lifting capacities. The Abaco clamps have a lifting capacity of up to 100Kg.
Vacuum Tube LIfter
Designed to carry out repetitive or awkward lifts, vacuum tube lifters are capable of lifting loads from 10-300Kgs and some larger models can lift even greater weights. Using a vacuum, the lifter sucks the stone and secures it tightly. The machine can then be easily moved and rotated within a set area. To lower the stone, the machine is moved into place and slowly the vacuum is released.
Water Jet Cutter
Water jet cutters are a relatively new invention. They work by blasting highly pressured water at stone, to cut and carve it into patterns and shapes. A variety of nozzles and pumps can be attached to the water jet cutter, varying the degree of pressure and shape of the spray. Advanced water jet cutters can achieve a PSI of 90,000. Flexible tubing can be fitted to the jet to allow the user to cut difficult angles in the stone.
Disk Cutter
Strong diamond tipped cutting disks can be attached to power saws that enable users to cut through the toughest stone. The appropriate disks come in a variety of styles for different purposes. Some are used to make direct cuts and are incapable of cutting at an angle whilst others gouge out a deep groove into the stone without cutting through it. The placement of the teeth of the disk is the factor that changes the type of cut in the stone.
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