How to install a Mosaic hardie

Mosaic tips and instructions from Xinamarie

Your hardie should be installed in a stable chunk of wood – a piece of log, or i use an old railway tie.

When you cut with the hammer, your forearm shouldn't extend beyond 90 degrees – so measure the log for your height such that your arm with the hammer comes down comfortably to meet the hardie at about 90 degrees. Think about whether you will use it sitting or standing, and don't fidget too much over the height of the log...you can always get an adjustable stool, and adjust your seat a bit higher or a bit lower.

To install the hardie, first drill a hole in the center of the top of the log (you will probably need to drill a few holes and then clear out the in-between to make a hole the right dimension for the hardie). The hole should be big enough that you can drop the hardie in and it sticks in at about half the hardie's length, so the hardie should be half in and half out of the hole.

Drop the hardie into the hole, then hold a block of wood on top of its blade and hammer (with a regular hammer, not a mosaic hammer!) on top of the piece of wood. The hammering will wedge the hardie right into the wood so that it is completely solidly implanted, and the piece of wood will protect the blade while you do this.

To extract the hardie for sharpening, tap it firmly with a hammer (a regular one again!) on the side of the hardie. This will wiggle it up and out of the hole. Sharpen (or have sharpened by a professional!), and then wedge it back in again with the block of wood and hammer when you are done.

See my tip sheet on cutting with a hammer and hardie

MOSAIC TIPS FROM XINAMARIE

mosaic tiles and tools for mosaic art and hobby