for you pros.....

["Bob Hackett" <kinfolk@zzzzzzz>]

  What most folks I've seen up here are doing(including at the symposium)
for large stone (up to the size of a compact car)is to just elevate the
stone to working height by using wood cribbing.Oak 4x4 and larger for the
base topped by softwood 2x or better to protect the stone.You can build the
workstation any size you need and raise or lower it  and adjust tilt
easily,provided a hoist is handy.
     Right now they've got 10 or more  pieces weighing several tons being
worked this way in a field with tarps suspended overhead to keep the rain
off.These were all initially set by a crane truck using those nylon straps
we were talking about.There are afew assembled pieces that they're having a
hard time deciding how to flip as work progresses.They feel sure the
stainless steel tierods will hold,they just don't want to damage the stone
at the joints if things shift during the repositioning process.
    There is also a stonesculpting class being taught in conjuction with
this symposium where students are working on smaller marble and sandstone
pieces up to about 500+ pounds each.Some are working on bankers such as
Simon described and afew are working together on heavy wood platforms topped
with 1" exterior grade plywood.These platforms are supported at the four
corners by solid concrete blocks set 2 on 2.The work is stabilized by
setting it on sadbags as it progresses.I'm guessing that the combined weight
of stone and sand would be close to a ton in some cases.BTW-those sand bags
are just the "Traction Sand"tubes sold up here to be put in your trunk for
winter driving.

Mainely,Bob