The Art of the Stonemason

by Cramb, Ian

• ISBN13: 9780911469271
• ISBN10: 0911469273
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-15
• Publisher: Alan C Hood & Company

Summary

Drawing on five generations of family tradition as stonemasons in his native Scotland, Ian Cramb created this masterful work to pass on his knowledge and experience to craftsmen who wish to learn the ancient, but still necessary, principles of the stonemason's art. Since original publication by Betterway Books in 1992, this book has established itself as an essential learning tool for masons doing new construction and also those engaged in restoration of historic stone structures. Beginning with a detailed discussion of building with "random rubble", which is the name for the early Celtic art of building with irregular stones bedded on mortar, the author proceeds to more complex projects such as fireplaces, stairs, arches, bridges and more. There is extensive treatment of various restoration techniques involved with historic structures both in the US and Britain, some as old as 1000 years. In additon the author covers various types of stone, stone-cutting, etc. as well as using tradional mortar mixes, which have demonstrated their utility in stone walls and buildings which have lasted for many centuries. The Art of the Stonemason is profusely illustrated with the author's meticulous line drawings and photographs. Ian Cramb began his apprenticeship at the age of 14 in Dunblane, Scotland. Surrounded by large estates, farm buildings, a ruined 13th century bishop's palace, two large fifteenth century castles, a Gothic cathedral, and numerous other stone buildings, Dunblane was an apprentice stonemason's paradise. In 1957 Mr. Cramb took over as master stonemason on the restoration of the monastic buildings around the abbey on Iona. He rebuilt the cloisters, restored St. Michael's Chapel, and also restored St. Oran's Chapel in the Cemetary of Kings, built in 1075. In 1959 Mr. Cramb moved to the US where he set stone and marble on the Capitol building, and then he acted as stone and marble mason for the Raeburn Building and World Bank Building in Washington, DC. He now lives in Bangor, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Introduction	9	(2)
The Traditional Method of Building Random Rubble	11	(28)
Choosing Your Stone	11	(2)
Beginning the Work	13	(1)
The Building Method	13	(1)
Points to Remember	14	(2)
Building a Wall on Sloping Ground	16	(1)
Building a Circular Wall	16	(1)
Pier or Buttress with Sloping Face	17	(1)
Coping for Random Rubble Walls	17	(1)
Window Sills	18	(2)
Figures for This Section	20	(19)
Tower Construction	39	(6)
The Tower's Foundation	39	(1)
Continuing to Build	39	(1)
Finishing	40	(3)
Figure for This Section	43	(2)
Fireplace Construction	45	(8)
Points to Observe	46	(1)
Figures for This Section	47	(6)
Stairs	53	(8)
Stone Stairs	53	(1)
Circular Stairs	54	(1)
Building External Staircases	54	(2)
Figures for This Section	56	(5)
Arches and Their Construction	61	(24)
Arch Construction	61	(1)
Types of Arches	61	(1)
Points to Observe in Arch Construction	62	(3)
Technical Terms Used in Arch Work	65	(1)
Cutting Curves and Joints on Voussoirs	65	(3)
Constructing Rubble Arches	68	(4)
Figures for This Section	72	(13)
Building a Traditional ``Sow'' or Hunchbacked Bridge	85	(8)
Figures for This Section	87	(6)
Restoration Work	93	(20)
Invasion of Vegetation	95	(1)
Alternatives to Shoring	96	(1)
Removing Old Cement Pointing	96	(2)
Grouting Stonework	98	(1)
Correcting Patching	98	(1)
Restoring an Arch	98	(1)
Restoring a Window	99	(3)
A Leaning Chimney	102	(1)
A Corbie Stepped Gable and a Random Rubble Gable	103	(1)
Figures for This Section	104	(9)
Gothic Arches at Iona Abbey	113	(10)
Figures for This Section	119	(4)
Stones Used in Masonry	123	(2)
Igneous Rocks	123	(1)
Aqueous Rocks	123	(1)
Stone Tests	124	(1)
General Characteristics of Stone	124	(1)
Cutting Stone with Hand Tools	125	(8)
Tools	126	(1)
Stone-Cutting	126	(2)
Figures for This Section	128	(5)
Stone Setting	133	(12)
Figures for This Section	136	(9)
Preserving Stonework	145	(2)
Pointing	147	(8)
Tamp Pointing	149	(1)
Finish or Final Pointing	150	(2)
Figures for This Section	152	(3)
Mortar Mixes	155	(4)
How it was Done in the Past	155	(2)
Figure for This Section	157	(2)
Time-Tested Materials	159	(2)
Lime	159	(1)
Boiled Linseed Oil	159	(1)
Water-Glass	159	(2)
Resources	161	(2)
Glossary	163	(4)
Index	167	(6)
About the Author	173