I would like to understand in some detail stone cutting and quarrying techniques

["George Graham" <georgergraham@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Jay,

The best way to get an understanding of how stone is cut and quarried is to
go where the stone is. Most quarries are major operations that can be found
through a web search. Ask a monument dealer for the name and number of who
they buy their monuments from.  Often the quarries and production facilities
are run by the same company. If you live in the USA, look to the granite and
marble sources and go for a visit. Vermont has marble and granite quarries.
Georgia marble and granite. Tenesee is famous for its marble. Indiana has
limestone. Minnisota and Wisconsin are famous for their granite. In the
towns where the stone is you will fine everyone from the quarry-man to the
sculptor. Some of these companies have tours and observation platforms. Its
very interesting , and gives you a good reason for a road trip!

The methods used today range from the prehistoric to cutting edge
technology. In a small operation you can still find people using feathers
and wedges to split stone, that has not canged for a 1000 years. they work
great. At the modern end of the spectrum quarries are cutting stone with
highpressure waterjets , and diamond segmented wiresaws that are thousands
of feet long. In places where quarrying has been around for many years, you
may find excellent museams that show  the old tools and methods. The people
in the stone whorld are very proud of their work and history and will be
glad to talk about it.

The subject you have brought up is very big and varied. Have fun looking
into it.

George Graham