First of many videos of me making things out of stone. please feel free to follow me on instagram @mainstonecarving or visit my website www.mainstonecarving.com
It’s really interesting to see how power and air tools are used when working stone. You are extremely skilled in this regard , cutting to lines with such precision. As a current Stonemasonry student at Bath College, so far all work has focused on using hand tools correctly and mastering the fundamentals of working stone mouldings. Hence, you will appreciate my interest in the more advanced techniques you demonstrate here and in your other posts. In this video clip you completed the ovolo detail by wet rubbing. Did you make a bespoke reverse block for this and if so, from what abrasive material? On a compound moulding ( eg. cyma recta) on a curved worked stone, would you use a single reverse rubbing block or two to match each portion of the moulding? Many thanks for posting such inspiring videos - they’re great learning aids and most appreciated!!!
Hi Jeff. Thanks for your kind words, practice makes perfect. Using hand tools as a learning base is totally essential. All the same principles apply when you use pneumatics and power tools, they just make the process faster and get a little getting used to. This stone is Portland base bed so I used a tungsten carbide rubbing block to roughly rub it, (you can get them from permagrit) and then followed it up by wet rubbing with a 60 grit silicon carbide block (also known as carborundum) which can be shaped using a grinder to whatever shape you need. In production, reverses are rarely used, only where necessary like making a ball finial or circular Scotia mouldings so when working a Ovolo or something simple on a curve like this you wouldn't bother using a reverse. it gets to the point where you reply on your chamfer accuracy and eye to work the moulding through. with practice you can get it very accurate whiteout having to use a reverse. This is the reality of production masonry Im glad these videos are of use. It was one of my main reasons for creating this content.
Thanks so much for your comments and suggestions related to advanced finishing methods. The sharp edges and precisely worked moulded contours as noted in all your completed projects demonstrate your wonderful craftsmanship, ability and attention to detail at all stages - traits that those of us new to this superb craft are trying to reproduce too. As indicated in previous notes these short clips are invaluable learning aids and an insight into large scale production work. Most grateful!!!
