Discussion
I've taken the opportunity to do some roof repairs, due to the long run of dry weather. Replacing rusted nails, broken slates, and renewing some woodwork.
Now, as much as I like using traditional methods, I've stopped using the slater's hammer to make the nail holes. I made a beautiful job of "cutting" a slate to the correct size and shape, only for it to split when I was making the hole.
The cordless drill with masonry bit, on medium speed, makes a great hole.
@GlasWolf
A slate cutter like the one in the photo? I don't have one, I have a slate axe. I've used someone else's Roughneck slate cutter, which worked with thin slates, not thicker ones. A good slate guillotine is probably what I would need. However, they are a lot more expensive. Anyway, I find my axe works really well.
I'm not laying a whole new roof. I'm (often) having to replace into the middle of the roof. The hole just needs to be somewhere convenient.
@fitheach Yes, one of those. It does give your hand a workout if you're trying to cut a thick slate, but it worked ok for me when I was doing a section of roof; I suppose it depends on what slate you have available. It leaves that nice chamfered edge too. I also used a slate ripper for repairs, but both tools were borrowed from a neighbour so cost wasn't an issue.
@GlasWolf
I might consider a purchase, as I'm always doing slate repairs. Many of the nails date from the 1860s, when the house was built. It is amazing that more of them haven't rusted. I've even put some of the nails back in again as they were in such good condition.
@fitheach Slate cutter ftw. Not only is it easy and quick to cut slates, the hole punch makes sure the holes are all the same distance from the edge, which helps everything line up.