The art of the stonemason
Offers a guidebook for masons doing new construction and also those engaged in restoration of historic stone structures. Beginning with a detailed discussion of building with "random rubble", which is the name for the early Celtic art of building with irregular stones bedded on mortar, Cramb proceeds to more complex projects such as fireplaces, stairs, arches, bridges and more. There is extensive treatment of various restoration techniques involved with historic structures both in the US and Britain, some as old as 1000 years. In addition, the author covers various types of stone, stone-cutting, etc. as well as using traditional mortar mixes, which have demonstrated their utility in stone walls and buildings which have lasted for many centuries. --Adapted from publisher description