What Is Dressing of Stone?
Dressing of stone is a process of providing a proper shape, size and smooth finish to the rough-surfaced broken stone which is collected from a quarry. This process is done by either hand tools or machinery. Hand tools are used as a pickaxe, chisel etc. Stone dressing process is required more technical skilled labours and fair understanding of drawing, materials and specifications.
Objects of Dressing of Stone
- Reduce the size: The big sizes of rock pieces are needed to reduce its size in a lift-able size piece, that’s why it needs the size correction.
- Proper shape: The proper shape of the stone is required because the stone is used in a different place like foundation, arch, floors etc.
- Proper finish: Stones are mainly used in for decoration purpose that’s why it needs a proper glossy finish.
Stages in the Dressing of Stone
- Sizing: Sizing is the process where we remove the extra portion of a stone by hand tools like hammer, chisel etc. It’s done to give a stone to a proper shape.
- Shaping: Shaping is the process where we remove the sharp sides of a stone block.
- Planning: Planning is the advanced type of dressing where the stone is cleaned of all kind of irregularity.
- Finishing: Finishing of stone is the process of rubbing of the stone surface by silicon carbide.
- Polishing: It is the last stage if dressing and polishing are done only on marble, limestone and granite.
Types of Dressing of Stone:
There are so many types of dressing exist, those are-
- Pitched Dressing:
- Hammer Dressing:
- Chisel Drafting:
- Rough Tooling:
- Punched Dressing:
- Close Picked and Fine Tooling:
- Boasted Finish:
- Scabbling:
- Reticulated Finish:
- Vermiculated Finish:
1. Pitched Dressing:
The edges of the stone block is levelled with a hammer in pitched dressing.
2. Hammer Dressing:
In this type of dressing process, the large part of the rocks are levelled with a hammer but due to hammering hammer marks are shown in the rock. Hammer dressed stones do not have any sharp edges, and it’s perfectly fitted in the masonry. Those blocks are square in shape, and vertical sides are 8 to 10 cm from the face. Hammer dressing process is done by Waller’s hammer.
3. Chisel Drafting:
In the chisel drafting method, drafts and groove are made at all the four edges, and extra stone at the centre is also removed by this method.
4. Rough Tooling:
Rough tooling is the process where the edges are squared by hammer and chisel. Then all the series of the groove is created with this method.
5. Punched Dressing:
This dressing method of stone 1 cm vertical or horizontal groove is sunk into the stone.
6. Close Picked and Fine Tooling:
To get a refined surface, a punched stone is again dressed. This method gives you a fine texture and attractive look.
7. Boasted Finish:
In this method stone covered with parallel marks through their direction. This marks may be horizontal or angle.
8. Scabbling:
This type of method is done in the query, and irregular edges of the stone are broke by scabbling.
8. Reticulated Finish:
This is done when 2 cm wide margin on it’s aside. 6 mm deep sunk is done.
9. Vermiculated Finish:
In this finish, there is more curved and worm-eaten type appearance. It is not more popular because it required a lot of labours.
FAQ
What is stone dressing?
Stone dressing is the process of shaping, resizing, and finishing rough-surfaced stone collected from quarries to achieve specific sizes, shapes, and surface textures required for construction and decorative purposes.
What tools are used in stone dressing?
Stone dressing can be done using hand tools such as pickaxes, chisels, hammers, and advanced machinery. Each tool serves a specific purpose in shaping and finishing the stone.
What are the stages involved in stone dressing?
The stages of stone dressing include sizing (removing excess stone), shaping (giving the stone its intended shape), planning (smoothing irregularities), finishing (rubbing the surface to a smooth texture), and polishing (enhancing the appearance of specific stone types).
What are the types of stone dressing techniques?
Stone dressing techniques include pitched dressing, hammer dressing, chisel drafting, rough tooling, punched dressing, close picked and fine tooling, boasted finish, scabbling, reticulated finish, and vermiculated finish. Each technique achieves different textures and appearances suited for various applications.
Where is stone dressing applied?
Stone dressing is applied in construction for foundations, arches, and floors, as well as in decorative applications where a smooth or textured stone surface is desired.
Why is stone dressing important?
Stone dressing ensures that stones are appropriately sized, shaped, and finished according to architectural and design specifications, enhancing both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal in construction projects.
How does stone dressing differ from stone carving?
Stone dressing focuses on shaping and finishing rough stone blocks obtained from quarries for construction purposes, while stone carving involves creating intricate designs and sculptures from stone using carving tools and techniques.
