Certified: DSWA Instructor, Dry Stone Professional Waller Level 2 Journeyman DSC - Dry Stone Conservancy US Level 3 Advanced DSWA - Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain First Aid ~ CPR ~ AED
BFA - Visual Communication Graphic Design MICA - Maryland Institute College of Art
. blog . web . www.Rockinwalls.com
. workshops . www.RWTrainingCenter.com
. social media . facebook.com/RockinWalls
. Baker Artist Portfolios . bakerartist.org/portfolios/mark-jurus-rockin-walls
Bro, it's amazing. Artist. Stonewaller, yeah but until it's synonymous with the artist I'm happy to compound. That said artists are traditionally criticized but only because of spite. You won't hear them belittling the structural integrity. "The brilliant mind will always come into violent opposition to the mediocre mind." I think that is how it goes.
Thank you. Yes, the drill holes are a traditional technique often seen or found in old structures. I like them because they tell a story. Also, this is considered acceptable in the dry stone walling community. One can dress them out. Honestly, at that point, with the bluestone, one could just pull out a cut-off saw. Saw cut the stone, then come back and just thermal the saw cuts. I did that today on this project with stones someone else cut. Nice and easy way to get a clean look with definitely no drill marks. 😊
Thank you. Good question just dirt. When Dry laid stone walls are built correctly using proper techniques out lined my the DSWA & DSC. The wall is flexable and free draining. Which allows it to move in different seasons. As my buddy Martin Beavers says It's A Living Wall. Thank you for such a great question. Just to sum it up. NO Gravel, drain pipes or LANDSCAPE cloth! Zero....I hear that one a bunch...🤣 -M
Thank you. As you know, I've been off my game. You might enjoy our other channel. I won't lie. I clearly spend more time over there. ru-vid.com Don't worry. RU-vid gave me a smack down since I've been slacking. So I'm back at it. More to come, I promise! Hope you're well! Thank you always for watching and the comments. - Mark
🤣 Yes, it is. Actually, the stone dictates the wall style. You have to work with the stone the best you can. I believe if you look at my other projects, you'll clearly see that what you're saying is simply your option. Which correct me, but are you a professional waller? You do what for a living?
I searched "setting large bluestones" and this video came up. Very informative video, no unnecessary monologues, I like how you get right to work with short explanations of tools and techniques as you go.Looking forward to watching your other videos. I was wondering if you have ever set large stone slabs? 6' x 6' and larger of varying thickness? Thanks!
Any special consideration for the base layer near the house? Since the structure is freestanding it seems very important that the soil doesn't slump where the house and the wall meet as it could apply pressure on the house. Or just normal compaction and good drainage? Lovely wall!
Great quesiton. According to all proper dry stone methods as seen in the Dry Stone Walling a practical handbook by Alan Brooks & Sean Adcock Page 48. / Building & Repairing Dry Stone Fences and Retaining Walls - DRY STONE CONERVANCY "DSC" Page 20. Traditionally all dry laid stone walls are set on earth with all organic material removed. (new construction or fill dirt may require equipment for compaction) For example this wall you will see has a below grade protruding foundation set on earth. No gravel, no landscape cloth, no road base. I used the largest stones to set on earth first then begin the wall build. If you follow all proper dry stone methods (see below) for construction the wall will work as a unit and the corners actually carry the weight back into the wall. So you could dig the corner completely out and the wall will still be standing since it's locked by the internal walls. If that makes since. I know this because on a project earlier in my career I built a floating bench on a corner. The stones for the bench I could pull out at the corner with my hand since the corner had the weight load inside on each end of the walls. This had never come to my mind until I experienced it first hand. Then it made total sense. This is why it's so important to have the corner stones going every other way and come back into the wall. I hope this helps. I have a Pro Series Play List which might have more information. The books I've reffernced are really the best for hepful information. Lord knows everyone is an expert on the internet. Not me, I just have spent years working with the best in my trade, learning, watching, reading and being examined by those who are the best. For example Sean Adcock who wrote the Dry Stone Walling a practical handbook. Good stuff. I enjoy sharing what I've learned from others. I love stone It seems as if you do too! Proper Dry Stone Methods: - Length running into the wall - Cover the Joints - Pack from the inside - Lay Stone Level Also keep in mind a proper dry laid stone wall is free draining and flexible.
Wow. Just WOW! I haven’t been online much lately so haven’t kept up with your artistry in several years. You astound me with your talent. This video was so very cool in terms of your explaining what you do and the choices and decisions you make. Excellent video!
Thank you, Shelley! Yes, this was a fun one. It was nice to give back to our friend who has done so much for us in our lives but never would take anything in return. So this really meant more to me than just building a wall. It was a way for me to say thank you for all you have done. As a friend, that's what we do for our friends. Not a what's in it for me as the world has become more and more these days.
Hey Mark, I'm sorry but you have a 5-layer course of stones with stacked joints that will eventually cause the wall to fail. A better choice of stones and alignment would have been a better choice.
That sounds great in theory! Easier said than done with boulders. You have to work through the pile at hand. Making choices and decisions you may not typically make and be ok with it. Stone teachs us life leasson with everyone we pick up and place. If this was stone we purchased, it might be doable, not so much with boulders in a pile. What you have is what you have as you dig into the pile. You learn very quickly to make the best choices you can with what you have at hand. Also, the double wall system is now both front and back and the hearting in the middle keeps the wall from implodeing in on its self, so everything works as one. I could have zipper joints, more than 3 up running joints. By following the other rules such as length in, good stone on stone contact work to cover the joint further up, pack and pin from the middle, keep courses level the likly hood of failure is decreased. Only time will tell us if this wall will fail. You nor I can say otherwise! You may want to watch this video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-G-RFi1NUb_Q.htmlsi=JlYe5ic35OeONARD You sound like you've built some walls. YES? Are you a professional waller and certified by the DSWA or DSC? Do you know Sean Adcock or Andrew Loudon? Or worked with any DSWA Masters? I love working and learning from others in my trade. What do you think of this wall I built? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JdSBGKgsGgQ.htmlsi=votoOMHZrBiKX9md
I have a 4m x 20m (12ft x 66 ft) boulder wall at rear of my property, how many years/decades do they last if no drainage issue ? Is it very difficult to build a 12ft high wall ?
Hard to say how long it will last. All based on the building methods. A dry laid stone wall or boulder wall is free draining. All the gaps/joints will let water out naturally. Yes it is difficult to build a 12 tall wall. Anything over shoulder height requires equipment or scaffolding. Happy Holidays!
Nice, those are some nice looking stones. This style of wall is great for wildlife such as snakes and rodents who will hibernate inside it during the winter. Of course some people don't like that lol
What a beautiful and useful skill! I thought a person could simply pile rocks up and they would stay, I was shocked when I saw how much they moved when I did that around a few flower beds. And, the idea that you can make a shelter that won't fall on your family is something I love. You have inspired me ❤
Thank you. Not to mention, natural stone never goes out of style. Plus, with dry, laid stone construction, for some chance, you need to repair or change something. It's as easy as picking all the stones back up. 🤣🙂 Happy Holidays!
I truly love learning and always welcome the opportunity. But your comment seems to be more opion than knowledge based. Let's see what you know! Before we start, do you build boulder walls, do dry stack or dry laid stone? As a hobby or professionally? Are you certified with the DSC Dry Stone Conservancy US, DSWA Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain, DSWA Instructor Certified, or have a training site for teaching the craft? What do you mean by layer rocks? What's the difference from a rock and a stone? What other patterns could I have chosen to use with this stone type? How does one make tighter joints with boulders? When breaking joints, how much coverage should you shoot for? What does a zipper joint mean? What does squaring up mean, and when do you apply this methon with what and how? How did I sort and organize my stone prior to building? Did I work with what I had and hand or get more while building? What kind of stone is this? What is a Long Face? How do you set a long face. What is a tracer? When do you use tracers? What is more important aesthetics or a structural sound wall? How many joints can you have? What is a jumper? When you have a jumper, the stones that run next to it, would this be a running joint? Or would this be referenced to as one on one? Or actually 1 over 3? Name a minimum of 4 proper dry stone principles taught by the DCS or DSWA? How are we doing? This is fun... After you've answered these questions, take some time to watch these videos. Let me know if this is too tight? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JdSBGKgsGgQ.htmlsi=3z-_uyD1-TcxaZ8U ru-vid.comPyL7QoxRQM8?si=kd6mepUcLXf12HOl ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yZNxf3wrfZ8.htmlsi=F6qEQos03CFVIKbZ Thank you so much for your comment. I'd love to see your work. Do you have a website, or can you send some photos? Mark Jurus Specializing in the Craft of Dry Laid Stone Construction! Certified: DSWA Instructor, Dry Stone Professional Waller Level 2 Journeyman DSC - Dry Stone Conservancy US Level 3 Advanced DSWA - Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain BFA - Visual Communication Graphic Design MICA - Maryland Institute College of Art
Thank you for not removing my comment. We’re given a scenario to deal with when the rocks are dumped on site! The best of what we have is your comment absolutely correct! I have built stonewalls for endless years. My interest is more in creating living walls not rock walls. I always plant the living daylights out of my walls. I always embed living plant material into any voids. Within six months my walls look as if they have been build by the Incas! They take a back step to the life growing out of this walls. I know what you’re up against but the solution is life not large joints!
@@BuildingenjoymentSadly large joints are the only solution with this black granite. Truely a photo wouldn't tell you the full story. As much stuff is on the RU-vid I can see how it can be easy to judge. Key with this structure is to be solid and sound. I needed to focus on length in but also make sure I had flat surfaces to continue to build up. Do my best to break the joints. When a stone can't be sqaured up you'll always end up with wider joints. The key is making the best with what you have. This stone is absolutely heavy and just about impossible to work with. Check out my other links in comment above. Trust me if I could make it tighter I would have. That's what I do. 😊 You won't be dispointed with other stone walls joints. I PROMISE! I love that you make living walls. The only issue with that is that the plants and earth can cause the stone to rot over time. Not all stone some stone. One thing which is really cool in UK is Turf tops or you can use sedum for the top of a freestanding wall. Really cool. Ofcourse UK gets rain everyday. More or less you take 1 layer of sod and turn it upside down then you set the second on top. I've always wanted to try it. I'm sure I'd be out side everyday watering it. 😂 -Mark Keep on Rockin!
@@BuildingenjoymentP.S I forgot to mention that the client has done what you do. Planted plants in the wide joints. They're big into the Renesas stuff. You should see the mid evil lantern they made for hanging.on the wall. Cool stuff.
Thinking and working in 3D is tough. Always (always) imitate nature! Try to set walls into a slope allowing for planting pockets. In nature most walls are moving into a slope not necessarily stalked on top of each other. Use the boulders to create secondary stairs. Let the rocks show you the way. To stack boulders for the sake of stacking them to gain height might not be our best option. Crappy stones have a lesser voice in how to stack them. Flexibility makes up for this downfall. Stepping walls back in some areas is definitely a way to make the stacking easier!
I’d say the wall stones don’t have enough depth and the wall as a whole doesn’t have a good enough outlet for water. The clay behind looks like it would shrink/swell a lot so this wall needed a better design. Whats your take?
Yes, not enough depth. The bottom line is that if you build a mortared wall, you have to have a concrete footer, a back wall , or poured concrete or block. Then, metal ties to connect the front to the back. Actually, they filled the back with 3/8ths washed gravel. No gravel should ever be added to a proper dry laid stone wall!!! Stay tuned for the dry stone build series coming soon! Great catch!
Прелесть ! Прекрасный внешний вид ! Мне очень нравится ваша выполненная с любовью работа ! Я люблю камни , особенно гранит ! Я люблю Сибирь и мой прекрасный город Нижневартовск- Nizhnevartovsk ! С уважением, Владимир !
Великолепный внешний вид ! Очень кропотливая, выполненная с большой любовью работа ! Вам повезло ! Каменные карьеры находятся близко от вашего жилья ! Ближайший от моего города гранитный карьер находится на расстоянии более 1500 километров . С уважением из Сибири,Владимир Мой город - Нижневартовск - Nizhnevartovsk !
Thank you so much. Most quarries for this stone are only 2-3 hours away. This is a bluestone, which is actually a sand stone. Making it so much easier to work with than your Granite. 🤣
Heck, yay, they do. Not to mention, they are wellmover 800 years old. The real question is how long did it take them to build those amazing structures and walls.😊
If I have a small yard and need a 25’ long stone border to enhance the flower bed, does it matter if it’s dry stack or mortar? I’m talking only maybe 8”-12” tall. I’m don’t think I have the talent locally to dry stack properly.
Whatever works for you. If you do it, dry stack, you can always come back later to add more, remove it, or if needed, simply repair it. Just buy some really big stones or with that size just consider using boulders. 1 and done then off to the next. If anything, you rent a stand on skid steer and really set some nice boulders. Nothing will move then. 😊
I'm beginning a project much like this but I started with a 2 foot by 2 foot by 40 foot concrete footing. Maybe overkill, lol. I won't be incorporating any wood whatsoever and I'll be compacting every layer of backfill with every layer of stone.
dude im a waller in the uk, in winter i shut up shop for the coldest 2 months its just not worth it, all this messing about slows u down and when your paid by the meter and my productivity goes from 5 to 2 in a day id rather be sat in the warm by a fire haha.
LOL, we used to have winters, but now it just seems to be hit or miss. We didn't even get snow this year. I two shut down for winter. But I normally take about 3 months off. This year, I was only 2. This project had gone into November/ early December. Then I was done.
Just go to my website, and you'll see lots of older blogs with all the photos of timelines showing the construction process of front wall and back wall.
This is such an incredibly helpful video. I have a dry stack wall of boulders that was improperly made and it is starting to slide and shift. I'm going to need to deconstruct and redo the whole thing (probably next summer) and I want to make sure to have a solid plan for it's reconstruction.
If I were doing that job I would be protecting that bluestone since you're putting your tools on it and using it as a workbench. Otherwise great informative video. 😉
Natural Bluestone is extremely hardy. It would take a lot to damage it. Heck I have a piece I use when shaping stone as my base stone. That's why it makes for such a great matteral for walkways and patios. People can drag their outdoor furniture all over it and it still looks like it did when it was installed.
Спасибо за фильм, спасибо за мастер-класс ! Люблю Уэльс за то, что сохраняете бережно всю информацию по строительству сухих каменных стен ! Люблю Уэльс за то, что подарили миру Mary Hopkin и Carole Hopkin ! С уважением из Сибири,Владимир Мой город - Нижневартовск .
I believe you're refering to the Dewalt Double Cup griding wheels (YELLOW) they are the Yellow ones in my shop. I have both the 4" and the 7" listed. I believe this is what you're referring too correct?
Great question - No! A dry stone wall is free draining and flexable. Why would you need drainage? Basically it's a living wall. Which in turn is active with each season. Some of the oldest know walls are believed to be 5000-7000 years old ie Skara Brae Prehistoric Village g.co/kgs/23sqck They definaly don't have drainage nor does Machu Picchu believed to be 700 years old. Both are still standing today. I trust time to tell the truth. Not an engineer.
