Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A Banker
Jul 13, 2023 Today is the first in a series of posts: Stonemasonry in 30 objects. We want to celebrate the old, the new, the technological and the traditional – so we’re featuring images of one object a week from our AF Jones workshops in Ipsden, Oxfordshire. If you’re in the industry, you’ll recognise many […]
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A ball finial
Jul 13, 2023 Stonemasonry in 30 objects Week 13/30: Ball finials – an iconic shape in stonemasonry Learning to cut this shape represents a rite of passage for any stonemason apprentice in their final year and at AF Jones we ensure that this skill remains available in our workshop alongside the precision cutting option. A […]
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A circular saw
Jul 13, 2023 Stonemasonry in 30 objects Week 14/30: Circular Saws – a primary cutting tool Primary saws like these play a significant role in the AF Jones production process. They’re capable of cutting large amounts of stone in a short space of time which means we can put projects through at scale, cutting stone […]
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A maquette
Jul 13, 2023 Stonemasonry in 30 objects Week 17/30 A Maquette Maquettes have been used for centuries in Fine Art sculpting to visualise the finished product or piece – from Michelangelo’s famed wax miniatures through to Barbara Hepworth’s maquettes across multiple materials – and despite the advances in computer modelling technology, they still have a relevant […]
Heritage Stonemasonry: Three aspects to consider when setting scope on heritage projects
Heritage Stonemasonry: establishing the broad scope of your project at an early stage is essential. Steve Byrne, Master Mason and estimator at AF Jones Stones Heritage on the three simple questions that can help define your direction the start of a stone heritage project.
Stone Sourcing and Selection: The number one question about stone as a natural product
Richard Thompson, our Design Lead and CAD Technician talks through one of the early stage issues for specifiers and architects to cover in their project planning and design process – and why it’s important to talk to a stonemason at the earliest of stages for more effective design choices using natural stone.
Time and Detail: Why these are two key factors when planning a heritage stonemasonry project
Steve Byrne, Master Mason and Senior Estimator at AF Jones outlines why working with new techniques and methods alongside old skills and installations means paying careful attention to timescales and detail – and demands a thorough understanding of the unique nature of each building requiring work, care and attention.
The Directors’ Cut: Structural Use Of Natural Stone for Marlands
Ken Jones, one of our Directors at AF Jones gives an outline of the key project points for our recent natural stone piano room project at Marlands, near Winchester. This project is for a client with an interest in principles of mathematics as well as music. AF Jones were commissioned as the specialist contractor and […]
The Directors’ Cut: Holistic Stonemasonry
For the Directors’ Cut this week, we get right to the heart of AFJ project managers’ motivation and outlook for stonemasonry projects in an interview with Ken Jones. Ken is a Chartered Engineer by professional background, joining AFJ in 2015, bringing his experience and outlook as a design engineer and technical team leader to the […]
Discover the Best High-Quality Stone for Architectural Heritage Projects
Architectural heritage projects require careful consideration when it comes to selecting the right materials. Stone, in particular, plays a crucial role in preserving the historical significance and aesthetic appeal of these structures. Understanding the importance of using high-quality stone is essential to ensure the longevity and authenticity of architectural heritage. In this article, we will […]