Introducing Myself... Sandra

["Disbrow Consulting" <diz@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Hi Andy,
Where abouts on this planet do you reside?  Looks like somewhere Canada, but
I can never be sure.  Field stone differs a lot depending upon where we are.
In New Hampshire USA we have a LOT of differing deposit and country stone.
I happen to live near what they call the Littleton Formation, which I am
told was a sedimentary deposit in an ocean trench that was later
metamorphised when volcanic activity formed the White Mountains.  Honestly,
I don't know.  I wasn't there.  In this formation there are a lot of
Quartzes, Isinglasses/Micas, Beryl, Basalt, Feldspar, and a laundry list of
other Sulfites/ates?  We also have a large host of granites and what appears
to be sandstones.
Most of the field stone here is fairly easily cut/split/fractured by the use
of what the old times called "stone axes".  These "axes" resemble a dulled
wood splitting maul, and range in weight from about 6-26 pounds.  Before
anyone thinks of taking an old splitting maul to a piece of ledge,  you
should know that a stone axe is tempered very differently from sledges and
mauls.  You will end-up popping your shoulders out of your sockets.  The
general rule is that if the stone is lighter it will be easier to cut.  If
it is darker, it will be harder to cut.  Most of the very dark stones here
really don't have much of a grain to cut along, and are fairly crystalline
in structure.  They tend to bounce the axe with no apparent result, and then
sort of crumble up into marble sized pieces in one fell swoop.

Andy, did you see the links that I sent to Norman yesterday?  When the
weather is better, I'll take some pictures of different types of dry lay
woven walls in this area.  If you ever happen to be down this way, bring a
truck.  I can show you "Field Stone Heaven".

Craig Disbrow, MBA, JD.
Disbrow Consulting
603 523 4259 (Voice)
603 523 4574 (Facsimile)