How to Carve Stone Bird Baths

A hand-carved stone bird bath adds beauty and function to an outdoor space. Gardens, backyard paths and patios all are ideal places for a carved stone bird bath. Many real and artificial stone bird baths are available commercially; however they are expensive and lack the character of a hand-crafted stone bird bath. A stone bird bath can be carved with a few basic tools and an understanding of the techniques.

Things You'll Need

  • Large stone to carve
  • Work surface
  • Compass
  • Angle grinder, with stone grinding attachment
  • Mallet
  • Tooth chisel
  • Flat chisel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the large stone on a work surface with the face that you want for the bowl of the bird bath facing upright.

    • 2

      Draw a circle with a compass on the top surface of the stone. This will define the edge of the bowl for the bird bath.

    • 3

      Use an angle grinder with a stone grinding attachment to grind a grid pattern inside the circle you have drawn. Space the lines in the grid approximately ½ inch apart. Grind around the perimeter of the circle. The depth of the ground lines should be approximately ½ inch.

    • 4

      Use a tooth chisel and a mallet to break out each of the squares in the grid. Repeat the grinding process and chiseling out process until you have reached a depth that you are satisfied with for the bird bath bowl.

    • 5

      Use a flat chisel and mallet to refine the curves of inside of the bowl. Create a smooth surface inside the bird bath. Smooth out the outside edge of the bird bath bowl with the flat chisel. Chip off small pieces at a time until the perimeter is completely smooth.