Cutting and Dressing of Stones

Dressing is the art of cutting the stones to shape required for use in structures. A brief discussion on dressing and purpose of dressing is made in Section 2.8.

Tools used for cutting and dressing stones is given in Fig. 16.5.

Figure 16.5 Tools for cutting and dressing stones

Stones for two major types of stone masonry, viz., rubble and ashlar masonry (discussed in Section 16.3.4) are dressed as follows.

1. Dressing for Rubble Masonry

1. For this type of masonry, stones are shaped by means of hammer. Lower and upper surfaces of stones are almost dressed flat.
2. For this type of masonry, stones which have front face almost rectangular and remaining irregular are also used.

2. Dressing for Ashlar Masonry

1. For this type of masonry, the faces of stones are finely dressed by means of chisels.
2. Further, chiselled faces are sometimes rubbed to give a smooth surface in case of special works like monumental works.

Different types of surface finishes adopted are presented in Fig. 16.6.

1. Rough tooled surface
2. Tooled surface
3. Cut stone surface
4. Hammer dressed surface
5. Polished surface
6. Rubbed surface

Figure 16.6 Types of surface finishes