January 27th, 2012 — 1:36am
Learn the Craft of Dry-Laid Stone Masonry!
Our first list of Spring workshops are now open for registration.
Introductory Workshops are designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of drystone construction techniques. The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall.
Advanced and Special Features Workshops are designed for individuals who have already taken an introductory workshop, have mastered the basic skills involved and are ready to take on the challenge of more complicated work. The pace is a bit more rigorous than that of an introductory workshop.
Download and Print the Workshop Registration Form or read about workshops here.
Comment » | Workshops
January 24th, 2012 — 2:15pm
Learn How to Process, Cut & Dress Stone for Drystone Masonry!
First Time Offered
March 3-4, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky
This Advanced Workshop is designed for people who have already taken a workshop and would like to gain some basic skills on how to process, cut, split, shape and finish stone for various commonly-encountered drystone applications. Participants will be working with hand and power tools.
Every stone has its place, but sometimes it just needs a wee bit of help. This session will focus on various methods used for processing rough stone for its final purpose. Learn what hammer to use with what chisel, and the right chisel for the right stone. Learn how to split stone using hammers, plugs & feathers and a diamond blade saw. Watch a demonstration on splitting stone using a hydraulic splitter. Discover which chisels create various surface patterns. Take home tips for tool and equipment maintenance for prolonged use.
Workshop Logistics
This workshop is limited to 6 participants, so we strongly urge you to reply quickly to guarantee your spot. The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days, beginning with a brief introduction to dry stone masonry construction and safety, followed by two days of hands-on instruction. Work gloves, safety glasses, chisels and rock or brick hammers will be provided for those who do not already own or plan to buy them in advance of the workshop. Participants are otherwise encouraged to bring their own hand tools. Additionally, participants from outside of central Kentucky are asked to bring samples of their local stone for tips on how to work with it.
Download and Print the Workshop Registration Form
Comment » | Workshops
October 7th, 2011 — 12:40pm
This October 16-17.
The Port Williams Historical Society has accepted the donation of a historic fence salvaged from a Kentucky Utilities cemetery relocation project nearby, with the stipulation that a new rock fence be built around the Masterson House Cemetery before the end of the year! This workshop will help get that project started. Participants will be involved in site layout, foundation preparation and building a new fence from scratch. Upon successful completion of the workshop, participants will be encouraged to continue assisting the PWHS with the fence installation on their own time! All previous DSC workshop participants are also encouraged to volunteer their time to help with this project.
This Introductory Workshop is designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of drystone construction techniques. The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall.
Download and Print the Workshop Registration Form
Comment » | Workshops
August 26th, 2011 — 11:56am
If you dream of the ‘chink chink chink’ sound of a rock hammer forming a stone to meet a wall, then surely you need to be in the Bluegrass in the late days of summer. This fall we are offering 8 events for the beginner and professional dry stone mason.
Dry stone masons can:
- Choose between 6 workshops this fall
- Take a certification exam
- And participate in the 8th Annual National Walling Competition
Comment » | News, Workshops
August 25th, 2011 — 2:31pm
After a couple months of design and tinkering under the hood, we have released our new website. Our goal is to offer the most desired content on our homepage without much fuss and distraction. Here a visitor can find where we have been active recently in dry stone projects, our latest news (such as this!) and of course, the all-important Spring/Fall Workshop schedules & registration.
Let us know what you think and how we can improve our new site.
–the web guy.
2 comments » | News
February 28th, 2011 — 12:30pm
Learn the Craft of Dry-Laid Stone Masonry!
Spring 2011 Workshop Schedule, April – May
View schedule or download registration form
Introductory Workshops are designed for drystone enthusiasts with little to no previous experience who would like to gain a basic understanding of drystone construction techniques. The pace will be comfortable and participants will learn the fundamental skills needed to build and repair a typical rock fence or retaining wall.
Advanced and Special Features Workshops are designed for individuals who have already taken an introductory workshop, have mastered the basic skills involved and are ready to take on the challenge of more complicated work. The pace is a bit more rigorous than that of an introductory workshop. Continue reading »
Comment » | News
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