Thursday, November 12, 2015

Read all about 2015 NOV. Flatwork / Steps Workshop @ Rockin Walls


The first flatwork / steps workshop was a huge hit.  With our news sponsor Balducci Stoneyard @ Maryland line. Supplying Rockin Walls with their own PA Colonial Blue stone.

This workshop was such a hit it will be Coming back 2016. 

The focus of the workshop was based on teaching:
• 2 methods of base
• 2 types of stone Colonial PA Blue stone - 1) Squares and Rectangles 2) Irregular standup
• 3 methods of edging
• How to use - operate and be safe with Equipment and tools such as walk behind plate compactor, gas cut off saw, feather and wedges with a hammer drill, Toro Dingo machine, Block Shear Stone splitter.
• Tricks and tips of basic tools for the job
• Different styles of steps
• Rise, Run, Tread, Fall
• How to draw your own square and rec pattern
• Determining dig depth for excavating
• Sub-base, Geo-Grid, Base, Sand

Many thanks my Sponsors: Swanson Levels, Block Shear stone splitter, Pave Tech hammers, Bon Tools - hammers to name a few.


Squares and recs along with edging going down on a 3/8ths washed stone

Explanation of different types of compactors and how they operate. A walk behind plate compactor being demonstrated.

Squares and recs going down on coarse sand over the compacted crush and run sub-base(CR6)

Plastic edging being installed with the blue stone pattern

Next irregular standup was tried by the participants on each base. Giving them the opportunity to decide for themselves which they like best. 


Sunday we started out trying the Block Shear Stone splitter by put to action. 

Hammer drilling holes in order to feather and wedge this piece of granite to make edges. Great inexpensive method to created caps, steps, tie stones and edging. 


Safety first! when it comes to understanding how each piece of equipment functions. With hands on opportunities participants will feel comfortable renting if needed for their job.

Start of the steps.


The dingo is another one of the simplest machines to use on a job. Helping to move small quantities of material easily through tiny spaces. A machine like this can be found at just about any rental center. 

The participant choose to build the steps as a team. They went with a 6" rise and 14" tread with 1/4 fall. Mixing up different stones and step styles


Happy wallers after two days of learning a new skill set. They now can make or save money with their projects. For a small investment of time and money they can get right to it. 

Invest in a craft today. Take a workshop at Rockin Walls Training Center 2016. The only Sponsored center with: "Try before you buy" tools.

Big Thanks goes out to my internet stone mentors for flat work:
Matt Sevigny,  some disclosed place - USA
Marc Archambault, North Carolina Hammerhead Stoneworks 



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