Stonemasonry in 30 objectsWeek 9/30: A stone vacuum lifterMuch of our work is with large contractors and with that scale of operation comes the need to move stone quickly through production at our workshops and into place on site with precision accuracy. This...
Stonemasonry in 30 objects.Week 22/30 – A frig-bob saw This is a single-handed stone saw, used during the 1800’s at quarries and workshop as a primary saw. It’s not a delicate tool and as the saw teeth broke and wore, masons filed it and recut the teeth, so a frig-bob...
Stonemasonry in 30 ObjectsWeek 20/30: This week, it’s a Pierced Panel worked in Hartham Park Bath Stone. Producing a pierced panel requires careful setting out and a methodical approach to working the apertures to a uniform size. Here you can see one of our masons...
This week’s object is a CNC lathe. Computer-driven, the lathe at AF Jones is used to turn shape and detail on items such as a series of balusters that need multiple uniform finish. It can work with either a router or a circular saw and with careful programming it can...
The debate about the influence of increasing technology and mechanisation, and whether it detracts from the arts and crafts aspects of stonemasonry, is ever present and will continue forever. With five generations of continuous operation spanning three centuries,...
