[Stoves] Trick for cutting, punching holes in clay chimney liner tubes

[drewrt]

I imagine that you already know this trick, but just in case.

If you want to cut/punch a hole in a hollow clay brick first pack it 
thoroughly full of slightly damp sand.   Pack it in as hard as is 
practical and then you can take a hammer and chisel, and cut openings in 
the tube, without shattering the rest of the tile,  The same trick if 
done carefuly will allow you to cut the tube to length,  just remember 
that you need the sand there to back up the tile, so wrapping a rope 
around the end you are cutting off can help to keep it all together, and 
thus the sand in place.  It works best if the sand is a little damp as 
that lubricates the packing, and allows you to reach a higher packed 
density. 


Drew