Setting up a stable work surface
How to set up a steady base for a stone block, with a firm support, a clear area and tools within easy reach.
A stable work surface keeps the block still and the blows where they belong. Before any stone is set down, check that the support does not rock, that the block sits on a firm base and that the area around it is clear. Many early mistakes come from a block that moves under the hammer.
Choosing a base
A heavy, level bench or a solid floor works well. Set the block on a bed of sand in a tray, or on folded sacking, so that it does not ring or slide. The support should be wider than the base of the block, so the weight is spread and the stone is held evenly. Avoid a wobbly trestle or a table with loose joints.
Steps to set up
- Clear the area of loose tools, offcuts and anything that could be knocked over.
- Press down on each corner of the bench. Any rocking means the support is not ready.
- Lay the bed material and set the block on it, turning the block until its heaviest part sits near the centre.
- Place the tools within reach on a shelf or cloth, with the edges turned away from the hand.
- Light the work from a low angle so that the high spots show as shadows.
What a moving block causes
- A block that rocks bounces the strike, and the edge chips
- A ringing sound means the stone is not supported and the blow is wasted
- Loose tools on the bench can fall and strike a foot
How to tell it is ready
The block stays put under a light tap, the sound of a strike is a clean knock, and the tools can be reached without looking. When the block stays still, the work can focus on the stone rather than on keeping it steady. The face can then be checked as described in reading the dressed surface.
The tools that go on the bench are listed in the toolkit.