Cutting the FACE

The FACE is the side which is shown. The BASE is the bottom of the stone. Hey .... this is easy, huh?

The FACE is three dimensional. There is height, width, and depth. Depth? Well, in stonemasonry, we re-name Depth, which implies a lowering, to Raised -- a raised dimension. We want the FACE of the stone to always protrude outward, not inward. By protruding outward, the stone has a fuller, softer look. If the stone does not have that look, a good stonemason will cut and trim it to their personal satisfaction. More creativity here. The stone we mentioned above, was cut to size, but hand cutting is now required to obtain the correct shape of the FACE.

The BASE of the stone should be the wider of the two sides. It should also be relatively square and is extremely important...... Imagine devoting a day to building a four or five foot wall with wet mortar only to have it collapse around you! We will cover ways to make sure you stay stable with your stonemasonry project every step of the way. We don't want wasted time and work. We want to be slow, steady, and sure, and do it right the first time.

Stone for this style is also obtainable which has been saw cut. It may come in sizes of 1" up to 8" in height, and as long as 4'. The height will be very unfiormed, and have square, flat sides. The FACE will still be a split cut to maintain the true stone look. Laying of this type of cut stone is very similar to the laying brick. Special attention still needs to be addressed to the FACE surface.

FACING of the stone......

When we trim the FACE to obtain the smooth outward body, the edges are cut striking it with the approate tool. Using a stone, brick, or chipping hammer, (a hammer and chisle may also be used), ALLWAYS wear protective EYE glasses, we chip the edges to a degree which puts the four corners of the FACE in a parallel PLANE with the exsisting wall when laid. This is one part of stonemasonry which really requires the hands on time to master. There is great differences between stone types, and the way in which thay cut.

Sandstones cut simular to cinder block, and the harder argilites chip more like a glass subtance. A larger stone hammer gives more of a splitting action, verses the chipping of a smaller brick hammer. In hard, brittle subtances like stone, it is the shock wave sent through the stone which causes the parts to seperate. Pieces of stone which are too large to split using hammers are drilled and the holes inserted with pins which expand when hit upon. These pins are inserted in rows which creates the plane of pressure to split the stone. This process is completed mainly at the quarry site. Hopefully, the stones you purchased will be small enough that this operation is not requied on your site.

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