Page 1 of 1
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:13 pm
by Snowfire
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.
Attached files
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:15 pm
by Snowfire
A little more advanced...
Attached files
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:19 pm
by Snowfire
The other side. Both staircases wil meet at the landing....
Attached files
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:22 pm
by Snowfire
Where they meet in the middle.....
Attached files
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:25 pm
by Snowfire
Where it eventually meets the next fllor and opens out to form the ballustrade apron....
Attached files
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:30 pm
by Snowfire
The finished staircase
Attached files
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 1:48 pm
by Oscar Namechange
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 !!!!!
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:05 pm
by Snowfire
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
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:10 pm
by Snowfire
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
Attached files
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:16 pm
by Oscar Namechange
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 !!!!!
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:22 pm
by Snowfire
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)
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:43 pm
by Snooz
That was my question too, the stairs seem to be floating. Amazing work.
I was hoping for some stone mason ass crack though.
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:45 pm
by Snowfire
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
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:46 pm
by Snooz
I surprisingly have nothing to say to that.
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:17 pm
by Bruv
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
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:23 pm
by Oscar Namechange
Snowfire;1423450 wrote: Thats where I keep my chisels And your lunch
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:34 pm
by Snowfire
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
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:27 pm
by Accountable
That's some phenomenal work, Snowfire. The finest craftsmanship.
Snowfire;1423450 wrote: Thats where I keep my chisels
:yh_rotfl
What I do
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:09 pm
by Lady J
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?
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:59 am
by AnneBoleyn
Magnificent work. Bravo. Truly impressive.
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 8:03 am
by Oscar Namechange
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.
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 8:44 am
by Accountable
Somebody dislikes Snowfire?? :-2 I'd sooner believe they hate marble!
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:18 am
by Oscar Namechange
Accountable;1423487 wrote: Somebody dislikes Snowfire?? :-2 I'd sooner believe they hate marble!
True... even called him a cock sucker....
Jealousy Is cruel
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:26 am
by AnneBoleyn
oscar;1423492 wrote: True... even called him a cock sucker....
Mmmmmm. That's an insult? :-3 :-2
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:31 am
by Snowfire
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
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:33 am
by Oscar Namechange
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 ?
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 10:12 am
by Snowfire
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
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 10:16 am
by Snowfire
We also do fireplaces...
Attached files
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 10:26 am
by Oscar Namechange
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 !!!!!
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:43 am
by Snooz
Cock sucker, chicken choker... so much poultry abuse, so little time.
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 12:12 pm
by LarsMac
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.
What I do
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 2:43 pm
by Bruv
Snowfire;1423498 wrote: We also do fireplaces...
Lot of expence to site your fish tank?
What I do
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 4:25 am
by tabby
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!