Ancient methods for building stone walls?

[dangerdoc]

I saw a thread here that offered some great detail on using some expanding compounds or feather and wedge to split large stones. I was impressed by the knowledge and helpfulness of the responders.

My project is one of production as well as personal fulfillment.

I am building a dry river bed that serves as drainage for excessive water during heavy rains. The trench is roughly 195' long and ends in a rock garden. The rock garden is about 45' x 20' and uses a mixture of pea stone, #2 and #3 rounded stone over the soil. This (should) allow the water carried by the trench to percolate back into the ground without flooding or causing excessive dampness.

The final touch I wanted to add to this project was to include several large landscaping stones, as well as a natural stone retaining wall. The wall is planned for 25' x 3'.

Here's the catch. I want to do it all as naturally as possible and under the power of just my wife and I.

Every pound of dirt is shovel dug. Every plant was grown and transplanted in. Every rock dug out by hand. No rental equipment. No chain saws, no augers, no trenchers. (I admit to using a gas mower, but it is an old push mower for my 1.5 acres). Every other aspect of the project I was able to figure out. This last step though is tricky.

I can have several tons of large quarry stone delivered. Once at my home I need to

1. Cut the stone into rough blocks to build the wall
2. Move the stone blocks to the wall site
3. Assemble the wall

So here is the question. Is it possible to do these 3 tasks without using ANY power equipment at all.

I know I can use a hammer with feather and wedge to break off chunks. How do I start the hole though without using a drill?

I know that the final stone blocks will be much lighter than the original chunks, but how do I move the chunks around to work it in the first place?

I know that the chunks will break off along natural "fault lines" with the grain of the stone, but how do I smooth the stone down enough along the face to make an attractive looking wall?

I grew up moving stone by hand. There are multiple books that are very helpfull regarding stone wall building and most include chapters on stone moving. Your local library should have at least one relevant title.

That being said, unless you are doing this as a fitness program, hydraulics are your friend.

At far as cutting stone, the art of wall building is finding the stone that belongs rather than bludgening a random stone until it fits where you want it.

Good luck.

 

[forgeblast]

I do a lot of field stone work. I have made a lot of walls. For the most part your wall foundation is going to be the most important part. Dig to frost depth, or for most of my smaller walls i go down about a foot to 18inches. pack with gravel and compact. this will give you a base that drains and you will not have to worry about frost heave.
As far as using traditional building techniques, when it comes to cutting the stone i would use power tools. I am in the process of building a fieldstone garden shed 8x10 and have about 3 1/2' feet up all around, and its a process (work).
I start by spending one day just using a grinder with diamond blade to make the cuts, i use a brick chisel to fracture the stone. The diamond blade also lets me make a nice smooth cut. I place the scraps in a pile to use as filler and stack the other pieces by size.
The next day is a building day where i mix up my mortar and build. With out the power tools i would be cutting stone for decades. Use the tools to your advantage, they will let you build, if all your time is spent cutting one pice of rock, then thats time your are not building, and you may get burned out with the project.
I have levered some big stones, and i have a 4' prybar thats made from 1'' round stock, (previous owner left it at our house when he moved). I also use a dolly when i need to.
Good luck.
Also someone mentioned heating the stone and pouring water on to fracture....that could be a bit dangerous if the stone (hot stone) comes screaming back at you.

 

[jdfire]

Here's the catch. I want to do it all as naturally as possible and under the power of just my wife and I.

So ... when do you use the tractor?!?

Just kidding, looks like a great project! Have fun and remember to post some pictures.

 

[Danno1]

So here is the question. Is it possible to do these 3 tasks without using ANY power equipment at all.

Check out this:


Pyramids, Stonehenge, Easter Island and the Great Pyramid explained by Wallace Wallington!

World Mysteries - Ancient Stone Technology by Gordon Pipes

Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt - World Mysteries - Mystic Places



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[atgreene]

I've worked with stone walls my whole life, nothing fancy, but we have miles of them and are always clearing land.

I have done hand drilling, slow, but possible. I used a small sledge and a star drill made for this purpose. We have collected tools for years from our ancestors and at sales, I assume you can buy new ones, but we had a bunch in our collection.

Hold the star drill, hit it once, turn the drill bit 1/4 turn hit again, turn 1/4 turn hit again etc.. etc..... Once you get a rythm, it goes fairly quick. The key is to keep turning the bit or it will wedge. Also, blow out the hole from time to time. With a decent star bit and a steady pace each hole will take 20 minutes to 1/2 hour depending upon rock. It's slow and raises oh holy heck with carpal tunnel and arthritis.

Most stone supply places have all the other tools, it's likely they may have the bit. A bit from a hammer drill may work but you may have to modify the shank slightly. If I think of it I'll get some pics of ours.

Good luck.

 

[Carykong]

check out this guy,who can move thousands of pounds by himself,with no tractor,winch,come along,or jacks. this is incredible. enjoy

YouTube - Building Stonehenge - This Man can Move Anything

 

[PA hayseed]

There was a guy in Florida I believe, he built all of his stone monuments at night time, all by hand, and the neighbors never knew what he was doing. In the end I think it was a memorial to his wife/girlfriend/love interest whatever.

I can't remember the details, but it is amazing. I went and researched the link. Here is is ::: Welcome to Coral Castle :::