What I do

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:13 pm

I'd like to show members a little bit of what I do as a construction stonemason. This is me in the process of installing a marble cantilever staircase.

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Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:15 pm

A little more advanced...

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Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:19 pm

The other side. Both staircases wil meet at the landing....

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Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:22 pm

Where they meet in the middle.....

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Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:25 pm

Where it eventually meets the next fllor and opens out to form the ballustrade apron....

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Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:30 pm

The finished staircase

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Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:48 pm

Let me be the first to congratulate you.

You should rightly be proud. That Is a very beautiful work of art.

Questions .... Is the marble carved elsewhere or on site? Is It carved In sections and how are those sections put together?

Fantastic job there mate !!!!!

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:05 pm

Thank you. Yes the marble in this case is an Arabascata and comes from China, sent to Portugal and made into individual pieces, sent to site and we install it.

The quarter landing seen in the first photo is about one and a half tons

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:10 pm

A portico, in this case made from a precast stone-like concrete. Cheaper than natural stone but still requires careful handling to keep it clean and sharp

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Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:16 pm

Snowfire;1423443 wrote: Thank you. Yes the marble in this case is an Arabascata and comes from China, sent to Portugal and made into individual pieces, sent to site and we install it.

The quarter landing seen in the first photo is about one and a half tons

One more question.... How Is that kind of weight supported ? What supports the staircase?

Now that's what I call an artiste !!!!!

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:22 pm

oscar;1423445 wrote: One more question.... How Is that kind of weight supported ? What supports the staircase?

Now that's what I call an artiste !!!!!

I tell people its magic:wah:

Only part of the support of the staircase is taken up by it being in the wall (as you can see, several treads are running through a window) A large proportion of the support is similar to how an arch would work. Once the final, top tread goes in, the supports are removed, you fall to your knees and prey to the stone gods and hey presto !

The "thrust" of all the treads bare down on the bottom tread (which is anchored to the base)

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:43 pm

That was my question too, the stairs seem to be floating. Amazing work.

I was hoping for some stone mason ass crack though.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:45 pm

SnoozeAgain;1423449 wrote: That was my question too, the stairs seem to be floating. Amazing work.

I was hoping for some stone mason ass crack though.

Thats where I keep my chisels

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:46 pm

I surprisingly have nothing to say to that.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:17 pm

Your a big lad aint you?

Is it very heavy ?

Is some of it cladding, covering a concrete frame ?

I have worked with glass much of my working life, and the edge working machines are usually Italian, due to their expertise with stonemason machinery.

Should think the work is like lead light making, a dieing trade

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:23 pm

Snowfire;1423450 wrote: Thats where I keep my chisels And your lunch

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:34 pm

Bruv;1423455 wrote: Your a big lad aint you?

Is it very heavy ?

Is some of it cladding, covering a concrete frame ?

I have worked with glass much of my working life, and the edge working machines are usually Italian, due to their expertise with stonemason machinery.

Should think the work is like lead light making, a dieing trade

As far as the staircase is concerned, each tread is solid marble. As for the portico each piece is again solid, compressed concrete, stone-like material. A cheaper alternative to stone but as heavy and as delicate as stone.

Yes I'm a bit of a lump. I'd struggle with the big stones if I was any smaller

Pretty much all of the machinery in stonemasonry yards is Italian

Some of the work we do nowadays is cladding but I often get the chance to do high end stuff like fireplaces and staircases to marbles bathrooms and also restoration work like churches and suchlike

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:27 pm

That's some phenomenal work, Snowfire. The finest craftsmanship.

Snowfire;1423450 wrote: Thats where I keep my chisels
:yh_rotfl

Lady J · Post by **Lady J** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:09 pm

Very impressive work Snowfire.

I am in the home building and remodeling business and find that stone Masonry is rare now a days...It is a lost art. I would imagine your services are sought after?

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:59 am

Magnificent work. Bravo. Truly impressive.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 8:03 am

I just hope the absent member who sent our Snowflake the most vile of private messages Is looking In... In fact, It's given me a good chuckle just at the thought they might be.

You have a real skill Snowflake and you will always be In work...

Another question.... what would be the estimated cost of that marble staircase.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 8:44 am

Somebody dislikes Snowfire?? :-2 I'd sooner believe they hate marble!

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:18 am

Accountable;1423487 wrote: Somebody dislikes Snowfire?? :-2 I'd sooner believe they hate marble!

True... even called him a cock sucker....

Jealousy Is cruel

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:26 am

oscar;1423492 wrote: True... even called him a cock sucker....

Mmmmmm. That's an insult? :-3 :-2

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:31 am

oscar;1423492 wrote: True... even called him a cock sucker....

Jealousy Is cruel

This isnt really the place and it was in a PM not a public statement

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:33 am

Snowfire;1423495 wrote: This isnt really the place and it was in a PM not a public statement True... my apologies....

How much would a marble staircase like that cost ?

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 10:12 am

oscar;1423496 wrote: True... my apologies....

How much would a marble staircase like that cost ?

Do you want me to come round and measure up ?

It depends on so many factors. What the stone/marble is , where it comes from and where it is made, how much manufacturing is involved and how much time and labour is involved installing it. I certainly couldn't afford one so it's just as well I couldnt fit one in my little cottage

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 10:16 am

We also do fireplaces...

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Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 10:26 am

Snowfire;1423498 wrote: We also do fireplaces...

That's beautiful... I recently had a new fireplace fitted but nothing like that.

Is that you by the fireplace ? You can come and measure me up anytime you like big boy !!!!!

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:43 am

Cock sucker, chicken choker... so much poultry abuse, so little time.

Post by **LarsMac** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 12:12 pm

My father-in-law was a Stone Mason, and I had the privilege of seeing some of his work a couple of years back.

That is some nice work Snowfire.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 2:43 pm

Snowfire;1423498 wrote: We also do fireplaces...

Lot of expence to site your fish tank?

tabby · Post by **tabby** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 4:25 am

This reminds me of the old saying that if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. I'm sure that's an overstatement but there's probably a lot of truth in the sentiment and this skilled artisan reminded me of it! Beautiful work, Snowfire, this was interesting to see!