by Michael Murphy In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice there is. — Jan van de Snepscheut BUILDING UP: VISUAL SIZING, CUTTING AND SHAPING, TRACING Going up often requires a 3-on-1 scenario. This is due to both length and material availability. The 3-on-1 is fine. For purposes of this…
Tracing is the practice of placing a stone with its longest axis running parallel to the face of the wall rather than into the wall. It is generally accepted that tracing is a poor practice as placing stones with their longest axis into the wall greatly reduces their potential to become displaced during settlement. It…
Brian Post shares tips and techniques for using a Trow and Holden tracer chisel on several types of stones. Learn some do’s and dont’s when using a tracing chisel to split stones for dry stone walling applications. The 1.5″ Trow and Holden Hand Tracer (Tracing Chisel) was used throughout this video along with the Trow…
The last two instalments of “Masterclass” have examined the theory of corbelling and its effect on a couple of practical considerations. Hopefully I have established the following, in no particular order: tilting stones can be swings and roundabouts with regard to what can be gained by being able to extend a stone out further over…
by Michael Murphy Michael Murphy is a Stone Trust board member currently residing in Elberta, Michigan . He is a Certified Waller & Instructor with the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain and the Dry Stone Conservancy of the United States. He was immeasurably blessed by fortune to spend much of the last five…
Talking about planning ahead I had intended to end this series in this issue with a final instalment, not so much about planning, rather covering a couple of bits missing from the first three installments, often of an analytical and theoretical nature, or tangents to them which did not seem to fit properly at the…
