By Milliemills
Carmarthenshire,
United Kingdom 
Hi All - given that this cold weather has frozen my motivation to get out into the garden, I was thinking of other things to put my energy into. I've a pile of used and broken welsh slate roofing tiles and wanted to make some slate plant markers but I can't work out how to start.... do I need a particular piece of machinery? or can I cut them by hand?? Any advice gratefully received!
2 Apr, 2013
Answers
thank you, hadn't thought of that. Appreciate your response.
2 Apr, 2013
Good idea Bulbaholic.
2 Apr, 2013
Also broken into small pieces (put in a sack and hit with a hammer) they make an excellent ground cover placed over a weed membrane, I paid a lot for broken red/grey slate to do just this in two areas, one at the edge of a path below raised sleepers and the other on my scree garden, the effect looks very good and has lasted for many years.
2 Apr, 2013
Wear gloves. A few years ago my husband came home to what he thought was a crime scene. I had cut my hand on an old slate tile in the house which put me in A & E to be stitched up!
2 Apr, 2013
oh eck! Cammomile, I think that I might take heed of your experience and especially since I've got cats with delicate little paws. Nevertheless, thanks to everyone who contributed to my question. x
2 Apr, 2013
You can buy a small hand-saw for cutting tiles from the DIY store, but it is serious hard work. An angle grinder is much easier but seems rather OTT for this one use. If you have a large pile of slate why noy just break it with a hammer (protect your eyes) and pick out the usable pieces, discard the rest. You will have rustic looking labels rather than ones having a 'shop' look about them.
2 Apr, 2013