The Art of the Stonemason

Fülszöveg

The Art of The
STONEMASON
Stone structures have beei\ built for many centuries, the techi\iques passed down from craftsman to craftsman, father to son. Ian Cramb is a fifth generation stonemason who relies on the old methods of building to create and restore beautiful structures that will last for centuries. This book is not only a do-it-yourself manual for homeowners, masonry contractors, and restoration specialists, it is tiie story of Cramb's life; fifty years of craftsmanship by a Master Stonemason whose working tools (about 150 years old and first given to The Carpenters Guild) now rest in the Historic Building Museimi in Washington, DC.
The book begins with a discussion of the traditional method of random rubble building; that serves as a basis for the remainder of the text. Choosing the stone, building a wall on sloping ground, and window sills are covered in detail. The construction of a tower is discussed, as are fireplaces, stairs (internal, external, even circular),... Tovább

Fülszöveg

The Art of The
STONEMASON
Stone structures have beei\ built for many centuries, the techi\iques passed down from craftsman to craftsman, father to son. Ian Cramb is a fifth generation stonemason who relies on the old methods of building to create and restore beautiful structures that will last for centuries. This book is not only a do-it-yourself manual for homeowners, masonry contractors, and restoration specialists, it is tiie story of Cramb's life; fifty years of craftsmanship by a Master Stonemason whose working tools (about 150 years old and first given to The Carpenters Guild) now rest in the Historic Building Museimi in Washington, DC.
The book begins with a discussion of the traditional method of random rubble building; that serves as a basis for the remainder of the text. Choosing the stone, building a wall on sloping ground, and window sills are covered in detail. The construction of a tower is discussed, as are fireplaces, stairs (internal, external, even circular), arches, and a "sow" or hunchbacked bridge. All of the materials are covered: for example, the different types of stones and their characteristics and masonry mbes appropriate for different tasks. Cutting stone with hand tools is described and illustrated.
The author devotes much of the book to restoration work, his specialty for many years. He addresses everything from removing invading vegetation to grouting stonework and restoring arches and chimneys. He spent a number of years restoring depressed Gothic arches at lona Abbey off the coast of Scotland. Descriptions of his work on this project—and all the other projects discussed in the text—are enhanced with illustrations and photographs.
Ian Cramb began his apprenticeship in 1942. Designated a Master after his work at lona Abbey, he has done restoration work on cathedrals and castles, and has set stone and marble on the U.S. Capitol and other Washington Buildings. Bom in Scotland, he now lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Betty, and has passed on his trade to his sons the sbcth generation. Vissza