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After a 3 week hiatus for snow, illness, etc... we returned to the job in full force. The high reached almost 50 but we still spent lots of time torching stones and melting ice. All in all a productive day.  Tom is using the torch to melt ice off the stones while Justin mixes mud.  Layla. Shes the only one who enjoys all the snow.  Tom is almost finished with the steps.
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 So when I showed up to get started on my current project, this was what awaited me--less than encouraging. So I set out to shovel, build a fire, then shovel some more in an effort to streamline the process for this weekend (yes I am working all weekend; thats how desperate we are for some warmer weather).  One of my tools of the trade has become a blowtorch. In summer I use it for weed control, but I have found it useful for melting ice, starting fires, and heating water. Here I am melting ice off a step shortly after I almost ate you know what carrying a full bucket of stone chips down the steps.  Basically today was a day to prepare for the weekend, and part of that was to lay out and cut stones for the front steps. Also shown is Layla, Living Stone's official mascot.  This might look like a pile of sand to you, but it looks like potential to me. Making sure we have the proper materials and right amounts on hand is a big part of my job.
Welcome! This is the first official blog from Franklin at Living Stone Masonry. My plan is to provide information about current projects, and to promote stone related pictures, websites, organizations, etc... Winter is a time for reflection in the stone business here in the mountains of Western NC. And we have lots of time to reflect because its too dang cold to mix mud and lay stone! Therefore, I will offer observations about the past few years and bring readers up to the present in the next few entries. But first I have pictures from our last opportunity to work in somewhat hospitable conditions.  This pictures shows Tom and Justin mixing 'hot mud' using sand heated with our custom stove. The mix is then treated with thermolube, a calcium additive, which speeds up the curing process and allows the cement to cure at lower temperatures.  In this picture we are grouting the already set flagstones with the 'hot mud.' You can't really tell from the photos, but the mud in those buckets is steaming hot- a nice treat on a cold day. |
AuthorFranklin Smith, owner Living Stone Masonry and general stone enthusiast Archives
June 2021
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