Monument Dealer's Manual

["Simon Brown" <moonsong@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Thanks, Bill and Deb for clarifying the Granidan link.

Thanks also for the CDK link, I hadn't seen this before as I have always
used their printed catalogue. The section I am responsible for has a huge
supply of CDK tools gathered over a period before I became responsible for
buying and maintaining them. Because CDK import Rexid, they won't repair
them due to the cost of return freight, and only offer the sale of a new
tool as replacement. That's why I approached the Melbourne manufacturer (Wm
Ashcroft)- they will repair tools.

The tool collection in the workshop consists of freestone tools, marble
tools and granite tools. However, the sandstone and marble tools, while
beautifully made, are gradually destroyed by beginners holding them at a
wrong angle, driving with the wrong tool, or using them on the wrong type of
stone. No matter how careful I am in marking tools, and explaining and
demonstrating their use, it only takes an instant for yet another tool to be
damaged.

The sandstone tools are made with a hard (brittle) tungsten insert to
counteract the abrasive nature of the stone, but are easily fractured on
granite. Both marble and sandstone tungsten tools have fine tips that are
great for fine work, but can't withstand abuse.

So now all tools bought must be capable of working granite. This means that
they are not ideal for sandstone or marble work, being heavier and clumsy to
use, but they are much more durable. So in the case of my broken tungsten
punches, I am more comfortable knowing they can be replaced.

Thanks also for the link to the suppliers list- I never thought of looking
there.

I added my email address to my previous message in case John wanted to send
a photo- it didn't appear automatically.

Simon