Lay out rock sorted into function
Keep all hearting/infill within 24” of wall
Lay out rock similar to the way it comes off the old wall – especially near bottom
Copping stones are the furthest away when sorted
Lay coping stones out in the order they came off the wall
Make sure you have good tie stones available and set aside
Look through “new stone” for potential ties and copes or good foundation stones
You can even set these aside before the competition starts!
Building:
Leave 18” of clear space between wall foundation and rocks
Tie your own strings to the batter frames provided
Foundation – up and out by 4” ( Any protruding foundation measurements refer to Specification Sheet supplied on the day of the competition. Normally 2 inch either side but check spec. )
Build a foundation that looks like a PATIO – extra points!
Try to place tie-in stones (to your neighbor) before they do
Place tie-in stones so that you zipper past the line that is between you and your neighbor
If you get ahead of you neighbor - keep building up and it is their responsibility to mesh with your zipper
Cover stones below copes at Shaker Village KY - always refer to spec on the day.
When copping – follow the “random” patern of 2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1 – might need 35-40 (15-30 min to do)
General Stuff:
Neil says – for speed and efficiency – work with your shoulders perpendicular to wall
Keep your coarse work level
Don’t work stone too much – points deducted
Bigger stuff lower in the wall
Mossy side out
Work to the line but don’t touch the line (up and out)
Keep building up each side of the wall at the same time
Keep tools on top of wall so when you switch side you close to tools
Keep your hands moving constantly
If you are stuck - Pack!
Shadows are better than loose fillers
Timing:
Get to site early and register early - (Wether or not if you arrive to register for the competition first on site or 5 minutes before the comp starts there is no way to determine what section you might get. It's called the luck of the draw on the day. I have seen the worst section on the field turn out to be the winner of the competition, it all up to the skill of the individual.)
Tear out should be done in 30 Minutes
Tie stones should be in by lunch break
Tool List:
* Small Cooler and water container
* String
* Line Pins
* Small Pickaxe garden tool..ect (great for digging out the little stuff on for foundation)
* Pickaxe (one year the fellow next to me had to work throw tree roots to build foundation-ya fun!)
* Rock hammer ( the basic mason / brick hammer will do the job and any other you use often)
* 2 or 6lb sledge – short handle (busting stones if needed)
Chisel (if you use them - time limited during testing suggest avoid chiseling)
* Tape Measure
* Gloves – 2 pair
* Safety glasses
Steel toed boots?
Head lamp (if you like to work in the dark)
Knee pads (if used- I find they slow me down for testing)
* Level (s) if used
* Buckets – Tubs
Grinder
Quickie saw
Large fan
Generator
Dynamite
Plastic explosives
Fuses
Gas grill
Cheer leaders
Motivational CD’s (Dan Snow)
Sherpa guides to carry all my stuff
NOTES: * = Yes are a should have. Ha ha factor starts at Grinder and below....
This list above has been supplied by:
Dale Mitchell
Mitchell Landscapes, LLC
WWW.MitchellLandscapes.com
Some information has been (added) or modified to help others plan for a great test day!
DSC offers a on site port-a potti, rebar plus cross bars for top, string lines... but as a up and coming professional - I would advise you bring the needed tools you use on the day to day. If you have any questions ask the organization you are testing with.
If your doing a special feature on site, make sure you bring your one wood for frames, rebar... go equipped and ask questions.
DSWA level 2 notes:
I tested in spring this year. What did I some how forget? 3' or 4' level. Hard to build a cheek end (wall head) with out one. Ok maybe you can. I'm not that good. All other tools listed above.
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