Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Coursed Random with Jumpers - Walling style

Illustrated by Mark Jurus - Rockin Walls, Copyright 2013

I set up a page called Stone Examples. I've included my drawling of my preferred walling style called Coursed Random with Jumpers. Like music a guitar can make sounds based on the listeners desired taste. The same holds true for Dry Laid Stone Construction. Not all walls are created equal. Just like a guitar you can't get the same sounds as you might with a violin. What am I getting at? Stone has different shapes. Just like a musical instrument they each have there places.

The stone I work with is more like the shape of books. Square with flat surfaces referred to as level bedding stone or sedimentary stone (blog to come).  This is the common stone in my area (Butler, Western Maryland stone). PA Blue stone would be a good example most people may know about.


To start I'd like to show you an example of Coursed Random Wall. Built by Dean McLellan project manager of the StoneWURX Stable Hanover Ontario Canada 2012. This picture shows the outside. Notice double stagered protruding tie stones 3 ft set on center. The best way to describe a Coursed Wall - think of it like brick work just using natural stone. Notice each stone next to the one after etc etc all are the same thickness. Now add in the Random this means bigger stones at the bottom with smaller stones at the top. 


This is the same section Dean's wall just the inside of the building.  


Dean McLellan working on his section for his Advanced DSWA certification requirement.


This section of the StoneWURX Stable would be Coursed Random with Jumpers. Built by DSWA Master Craftsman Philip Dolphin. Now you know what a Coursed Random looks like. You will see with this section larger stones which break the patter of brick work called a Jumper. Think of it like driving throw a parking lot then hitting a speed bump. The jumper lets you switch up your patter. This style can be quick and typically lets you grab a variety of stone at your feet much faster Unless your Andrew Loudon then your the definition of COURSED WALLING. I worked on this project for 5 days the speed at which I watched Philip moved was mind blowing. He wasted no time picking and placing . After all he's a MASTER.


Philip Dolphin working on the same section inside because he's so fast!


StoneWURKS Stable - Dean's section on the left. Philip's on the right. As seen in photos above.

Beechdale Project level bedded stone - Butler w/PA Blue stone

I prefer Coursed Random with Jumpers primarily because I believe it gives a beautiful focus on key placed jumpers. Like a well balanced painting you should always have strong focal points the eye is drawn too. With out this you do not have a strong composition and it all just blends into one another. We've all seen walls like this built by "landscape company's" If your spending the money to build a wall it should say something as it becomes part of the living space. Jumpers just break the patter for me. 

Glenville Project irregular stone - Field stone on site - old corn crib
Special thank you to DSC Journeyman Ashley Meadows for showing me the light.
The walling styles listed are only two of many! To read more check out Dry Stone Walling a Practical Handbook. By Brooks, Adcock, Agate BTCV (coming to this website soon for sale)

Hoffmanville Project level bedded stone - Butler w/ Red sand stone



Trained and certified DCS/DSWA mason 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Blogger - WordPress - show down, site make over


Yup Rockin Walls had a face lift. After some time back and forth.... blogger... word press.... blogger (google) .... conversations with my wife Teresa ( who got me started blogging in 2010, spent countless hours listing to my latest blog/website idea, from time to time checking or assisting me with spelling) my stone buddy Mark (Hammerhead Stone) who has used wordpress for over 10 years... They both gave me guidance to understand the bigger picture. Content is key, keep it simple, focus on what I do not what I thinking I should be doing.


What was that?? With a BFA in visual communication in graphic design from MICA Maryland Institute in Collage of Art I've had a hard time doing my own design work. I could design anything for someone else but when it comes to myself I go crazing thinking about what I want or don't want. Designing for yourself when your a designer is one of the hardest things. So it was great to have the feedback from the two I can trust.


I read all kinds of articles. Why to move, almost all bloggers upgrade at some point. Why? You own your own content, more choices for templets....

What was I hating about blogger? What's with the strange spacing? No options for sub menu's? Font sizes all over the road at times with different colors... Ya lots of little bugs? Did I say google owned this? One might think this was owned by Window's.......Heck you can try Safari, Chrome (google) But Firefox seems to work the best to fix some glitches. Go figure. That's funny chrome googles own product doesn't work any better to solve the glitches.. why would google have glitches? I'd like to know? I keep asking thinking one day some representative from Google will call me to chat about his issue. But I keep dreaming. A man can dream. Kind of frustrating I don't blame those who jump ship..


So why did I decide to hang around a little longer? Well if somethings working and you can see the benefits over the down sides and work threw the hick-ups why not.

What does google (blogger) got over the other guys? Google will always do everything they can to keep their blogger fitting into the latest gadget, smart phone, tablet, mac, windows, android..... You just can't say that with wordpress.


What else? They up load your images to their library- wow one more great way to promote your business as long as you have that watermark with your website plastered across your image. When someone wants to see the photo google will shoot them right back to your website.


Since google owns blogger and youtube you can't ask for a better way to avoid paying for search engine results... You can look at this world of the internet in different ways. The biggest a world of free information right at your finger tips. How cool is that. A endless resource - one giant library... Fun for everyone.

Please take the time to notice a few inter-active items on this new site. On the right side of the screen you will see a black bar on the edge. This is a slider bar that comes out when you move your mouse over it giving options. Next big thing for your viewing pleasure you can change the way you see the site on the left next to the word "BLOG". I have it set for Magazine. But you can change the site in any formate you see fit to review my content.

Enjoy!

Thank them for helping me by viewing their Websites:

My Wife's Teresa site's ( a horse whisper )
www.meadowcreeklife.com
www.themeadowcreekfarm.com

Mark Archambault - Hammerhead Stone
www.hammerheadstoneworks.com

Please feel free to chime in if you blog what platform your using. Likes and dislikes. Or you would just like to comment on the new site layout.




Monday, March 4, 2013

Merrymount Roland Park, Finished Project, Nov 2012


November 2102 Merrymount Roland Park Baltimore Maryland. 

Dry Laid Stone Construction, Retaining wall 80' L x 20" H, with over hanging flat cap stones, 4" protruding foundation, foundation stones set 4" to 6" below grade in earth, 90 corner, curve, free standing wall with wall end, drain lintel 11" H x 12" W and 3 steps. Built with Western Maryland stone from Bedrock Stone Quarry (thank you Donna and Jeremy for all your help!) mixed with PA Blue stone. Back of wall and packing stone local from Meadow Creek Farm Hampstead MD. Build time 30 days. Primary function setting wall, helping to define the space for entertaining. 


















Curved section



3 Steps

Wall End with free standing wall and corner.

 Wall end/ Cheek end


Related Blogs:

Merrymount - Roland Park MD, Project Story, Dry Laid Retaining Wall 11/2012




Thank you for viewing the Merrymount project. Please feel free to comment!