6/2024 Custom Dry Laid Bluestone Steps for Front Porch

 

Hampstead MD June 2024, Custom Dry Laid Stone steps, 58" wide x 7" rise x 16" tread with 2" overhang, Replacing old boulder steps.

Low Voltage lighting added to post for lighting steps

2/2024 White Hall Fire Pit Dry Laid Stone

2/2024 White Hall Maryland, Fire pit #2 21" caps 20" height with 16" steel fire ring 6' across. 32' outside diameter. All found stone from property.

 

2024 Spring Worhshops

 While many training sites have considerably raised their prices. We offer the best value for your money not to mention package discounts. We believe everyone should be able to afford to learn a new trade. Not to mention, our workshops allow you to work with regional stone...a bonus!

~ 03/28/2024 (Thursday) Shaping Workshop 1 day $300-

See Workshop Page for availability

• Stone Shaping / Stone Dressing Workshop, All Levels, Homeowner - Contractor, 1-Day, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, All Levels, Homeowner -Contractor

This Workshop will help the participant look carefully at the stone before choosing it for a specific use. This helps increase productivity and the economy of effort.

• There are many ways in which we can mark stone, this will be described and demonstrated throughout the workshop.
• Which Hammer should I use? What is its purpose? When should I use it? Which one should I buy? All part of the workshop.
• Which Chisel should I use? What is its purpose? When should I use it? Which one should I buy? Again, all part of the workshop.
• Using Diamond Blade Saws and Diamond tipped Grinders, Do’s and Don'ts.
• Working on Banker Benches, design and ease of use and practicalities.
• Texturing Stone for a finished surface.
• Tips on Drilling Stone including Feather and Wedge...and so much more!

• Shaping workshop, Hand Tools, Power tools, feather wedging and so much more!
(Note: YOU MUST HAVE - PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) for this workshop.  Safety and use of this equipment is of paramount importance during the workshop.)

~ 03/29/2024 (Friday) Fundamental Workshop 1 day $250- (This is not a workshop where you will be building a stone wall!)

See Workshop Page for availability

Fundamental Learning Skills Workshop (This is not a workshop where you will be building a stone wall!) 1 Day Workshop 1-Day  8:30 am - 4:00 pm, All Levels, Homeowner -Contractor

NOTE: This workshop does not include hands on building a stone wall.  That workshop would be the Freestanding Wall Workshop. This workshop is 50/50 How To vs Hands On. Remember you can't learn it all in a day.

This is our most in demand workshop every year. We highly recommend this workshop to everyone even if you're a contractor. Learn all about different wall frames, how to use them, build them and why you need them. What is a batter and why. This workshop will be hands on how to build 2 styles of foundations with the best tools for the job. Basic overview of tools of the trade. How and when to best use them and with what types of stone. Last but not  least how to read stone and how to put it to the best use. Hands on sorting and palletizing material. 

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!!!.... Assessing Space, Planning, and Wall terminology. Learning the Fundamentals are the starting point for any waller. A skill set which will be needed for any project regardless of size. 

I created this course because I believed you can't read this in a book and understand the most important parts of walling. "The Back End". Rockin Walls was the first to offer this workshop in 2016 in the US. - Why because you can't begin to spell words if you don't understand the alphabet. Don't belittle the basics. You'll be ready to rock at any future workshops. Accelerating learning is priceless. 

HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS WORKSHOP BEFORE TAKING ANY OTHER WALLING WORKSHOPS!!!! or even if you have.

• Foundation build with needed tools for the job

• How to build a wall frame

• Designing wall

• Stone types and volume needed for a project

• Tie and use string lines

• Reading stone by picking and sort bulk stone onto correct piles

• Overviews of tools

• Feather and Wedging

• Much Much More

~03/30-31/2024 (Saturday-Sunday) Freestanding Wall Workshop 2 day $475-

See Workshop Page for availability

Freestanding Wall Workshop 2 Day Workshop 
2-Day  8:30 am - 4:00 pm, All Levels, Homeowner - Contractor

Freestanding Wall Workshop is an introduction into the basic skills of Dry Laid Stone Construction. This workshop is one of the most commonly taught classes worldwide. Over two days we will cover the proper fundamental methods outlined by the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain DSWA-GB. 

All workshops are a simple and easy pace with no heavy lifting, plenty of stone and a beautiful scenic environment with horses grazing in the background. 

What you will learn:

• Proper dry laid stone methods
• Strip out, organizing and rebuilding of existing wall section a your own "V" section both sides down to below tie stone. Keeping safe distance from those next to you. 
• Sorting and selecting the right stone for the right place
• Basic tools - overview & demonstration - Hammer and Chisels
• Feather and wedging overview & demonstration (great technique for making caps, tie stones, steps and much more)
• Walking Tour of on-site examples of dry laid stone walls (discussion) 
• Safety, tools, worksite, equipment
• Possible Demo & Operation of Mini Skid Steer (participation is optional)
• Foundation is not covered in this workshop at this time - suggest fundamental workshop.

Stone type: Flat bedded sandstone local to region. Wall stone including Laurel Mountain, Colonial Blue Stone and PA fieldstone to name a few.

This workshop is also great for those who are interested in Retaining Walls. A freestanding wall is the same fundamental principles. 

(Note: this workshop will be a strip out and rebuild of an existing wall. Some tools will be covered in this workshop.)

~03/30-31/2024 (Saturday-Sunday) Cheekend Wall Workshop 2 day $475- 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
SOLD OUT!

(YOU MUST HAVE EITHER DSWA/DSC LEVEL 1 / TAKEN PRIOR WORKSHOPS OR PROFESSIONAL MASONRY SKILLS - to sign up for this Cheekend workshop)
(Note: you must have your own PPE, along with tools for shaping and dressing stone)

A cheekend / (wall head) is the most common way to end a wall.  Cheekends are one of the most important first features to learn. This two day workshop will cover strip out, rebuild and the proper method to finish off the end of a wall. In this workshop you will be partnered up with one other person to take on a traditional freestanding wall cheekend. You will learn how to tie the end back into the wall along with understanding how to pick, choose and make the stones you need to make it right! This workshop will also cover the setting up of a wall frame. This workshop is great for those gearing up for their Level 2 DSWA Certification. 

Combo Deals - Mix and Match

2 Workshops Deduct -$75

3 Workshops $925-  (you $ave $100)

Limited spaces available

REFUND POLICY FOR WORKSHOPS

If Rockin Walls cancels a Workshop:

~ Full refund will be paid to all enrolled participants.

If a participant cancels Payment by check:

~ More than 21 days prior: 100% Refund.

~ 14-20 days prior: Full Refund less $25 cancellation fee.

~ 0-13 days prior: No Refund.

Check payable to:

Rockin Walls

3000 Rohrbaugh Road, Hampstead MD 21074

Your spot is secured if your check has cleared our bank account. We will not hold any spots without payment. 

2024 Spring Workshops

While many training sites have considerably raised their prices. We offer the best value for your money not to mention package discounts. We believe everyone should be able to afford to learn a new trade. Not to mention, our workshops allow you to work with regional stone...a bonus!

~ 03/28/2024 (Thursday) Shaping Workshop 1 day $300-

4 spots remain

• Stone Shaping / Stone Dressing Workshop, All Levels, Homeowner - Contractor, 1-Day, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, All Levels, Homeowner -Contractor

This Workshop will help the participant look carefully at the stone before choosing it for a specific use. This helps increase productivity and the economy of effort.

• There are many ways in which we can mark stone, this will be described and demonstrated throughout the workshop.
• Which Hammer should I use? What is its purpose? When should I use it? Which one should I buy? All part of the workshop.
• Which Chisel should I use? What is its purpose? When should I use it? Which one should I buy? Again, all part of the workshop.
• Using Diamond Blade Saws and Diamond tipped Grinders, Do’s and Don'ts.
• Working on Banker Benches, design and ease of use and practicalities.
• Texturing Stone for a finished surface.
• Tips on Drilling Stone including Feather and Wedge...and so much more!

• Shaping workshop, Hand Tools, Power tools, feather wedging and so much more!
(Note: YOU MUST HAVE - PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) for this workshop.  Safety and use of this equipment is of paramount importance during the workshop.)

~ 03/29/2024 (Friday) Fundamental Workshop 1 day $250- (This is not a workshop where you will be building a stone wall!)

6 spots remain

Fundamental Learning Skills Workshop (This is not a workshop where you will be building a stone wall!) 1 Day Workshop 1-Day  8:30 am - 4:00 pm, All Levels, Homeowner -Contractor

NOTE: This workshop does not include hands on building a stone wall.  That workshop would be the Freestanding Wall Workshop. This workshop is 50/50 How To vs Hands On. Remember you can't learn it all in a day.

This is our most in demand workshop every year. We highly recommend this workshop to everyone even if you're a contractor. Learn all about different wall frames, how to use them, build them and why you need them. What is a batter and why. This workshop will be hands on how to build 2 styles of foundations with the best tools for the job. Basic overview of tools of the trade. How and when to best use them and with what types of stone. Last but not  least how to read stone and how to put it to the best use. Hands on sorting and palletizing material. 

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!!!.... Assessing Space, Planning, and Wall terminology. Learning the Fundamentals are the starting point for any waller. A skill set which will be needed for any project regardless of size. 

I created this course because I believed you can't read this in a book and understand the most important parts of walling. "The Back End". Rockin Walls was the first to offer this workshop in 2016 in the US. - Why because you can't begin to spell words if you don't understand the alphabet. Don't belittle the basics. You'll be ready to rock at any future workshops. Accelerating learning is priceless. 

HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS WORKSHOP BEFORE TAKING ANY OTHER WALLING WORKSHOPS!!!! or even if you have.

• Foundation build with needed tools for the job

• How to build a wall frame

• Designing wall

• Stone types and volume needed for a project

• Tie and use string lines

• Reading stone by picking and sort bulk stone onto correct piles

• Overviews of tools

• Feather and Wedging

• Much Much More

~03/30-31/2024 (Saturday-Sunday) Freestanding Wall Workshop 2 day $475-

6 spots remain

Freestanding Wall Workshop 2 Day Workshop 
2-Day  8:30 am - 4:00 pm, All Levels, Homeowner - Contractor

Freestanding Wall Workshop is an introduction into the basic skills of Dry Laid Stone Construction. This workshop is one of the most commonly taught classes worldwide. Over two days we will cover the proper fundamental methods outlined by the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain DSWA-GB. 

All workshops are a simple and easy pace with no heavy lifting, plenty of stone and a beautiful scenic environment with horses grazing in the background. 

What you will learn:

• Proper dry laid stone methods
• Strip out, organizing and rebuilding of existing wall section a your own "V" section both sides down to below tie stone. Keeping safe distance from those next to you. 
• Sorting and selecting the right stone for the right place
• Basic tools - overview & demonstration - Hammer and Chisels
• Feather and wedging overview & demonstration (great technique for making caps, tie stones, steps and much more)
• Walking Tour of on-site examples of dry laid stone walls (discussion) 
• Safety, tools, worksite, equipment
• Possible Demo & Operation of Mini Skid Steer (participation is optional)
• Foundation is not covered in this workshop at this time - suggest fundamental workshop.

Stone type: Flat bedded sandstone local to region. Wall stone including Laurel Mountain, Colonial Blue Stone and PA fieldstone to name a few.

This workshop is also great for those who are interested in Retaining Walls. A freestanding wall is the same fundamental principles. 

(Note: this workshop will be a strip out and rebuild of an existing wall. Some tools will be covered in this workshop.)

~03/30-31/2024 (Saturday-Sunday) Cheekend Wall Workshop 2 day $475- 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
2 spots remain

(YOU MUST HAVE EITHER DSWA/DSC LEVEL 1 / TAKEN PRIOR WORKSHOPS OR PROFESSIONAL MASONRY SKILLS - to sign up for this Cheekend workshop)
(Note: you must have your own PPE, along with tools for shaping and dressing stone)

A cheekend / (wall head) is the most common way to end a wall.  Cheekends are one of the most important first features to learn. This two day workshop will cover strip out, rebuild and the proper method to finish off the end of a wall. In this workshop you will be partnered up with one other person to take on a traditional freestanding wall cheekend. You will learn how to tie the end back into the wall along with understanding how to pick, choose and make the stones you need to make it right! This workshop will also cover the setting up of a wall frame. This workshop is great for those gearing up for their Level 2 DSWA Certification. 

Combo Deals - Mix and Match

2 Workshops Deduct -$75

3 Workshops $925-  (you $ave $100)

Limited spaces available

REFUND POLICY FOR WORKSHOPS

If Rockin Walls cancels a Workshop:

~ Full refund will be paid to all enrolled participants.

If a participant cancels Payment by check:

~ More than 21 days prior: 100% Refund.

~ 14-20 days prior: Full Refund less $25 cancellation fee.

~ 0-13 days prior: No Refund.

Check payable to:

Rockin Walls

3000 Rohrbaugh Road, Hampstead MD 21074

Your spot is secured if your check has cleared our bank account. We will not hold any spots without payment. 

4/2022 Landscape Lighting Roland Park MD

 .3 s

Just wrapped up another landscape lighting project for 2022. With a stone customer from 2012 check out their stone wall http://www.rockinwalls.com/2012/08/beechdale-road-roland-park-md-finished.html

,I was able to upgrade a gr,. 747-3346 8bv,eat deal (8) of there old lights with newX2  light bulbs saving 200 watts of power. Then added another new batch on the upper side of the home. Helping to giv=&44e a lotx  more functional use on there pathway and porch entranc.e. I alsKicking aroun/d in our 1999 Coleman popup and Roof Top Tent (RTT) with our 2005 Ford F350 4x4 Dually and our New Ford Ranger XLT FX4. We hope0

1.  you @join_&'7 us in our travels as weRw share our builds (camper trailer and truck mods), pics, tips & hacks!Kicking around in 4 1999 Coleman popup and Roof Top Tent (RTT) with our 2005 Ford F350 4x4 Dually and our New Ford Ranger XLT FX4. We hope you join us in our travels as we share our builTds (camper trailer and truck mods), pics, tips & hacks!o sleeved in PVC /2" pipe a great deal of the new lines to avoid long term cutting from landscape plantings or weed trimmers. Then a few others in 1/2" copper piKicking around in our 1999   popup and Roof Top Tent (RTT) with our 2005 Ford F350 4x4 Dually and our New Ford Ranger XLT FX4. We hope you join us in our travels as we share our builds (camper trailer and truck mods), pics, tips & hacks!pe. The copper pipe looks a bit more finished then then no pipe or PVC. 

These little steps are something others don't take the time to do. Why I don't know. The less need for call backs due to property maintenance damage is key! I'd rather save my clients money from trouble shooting damaged wires because shovel damage. PVC pipe is cheap and doesn't take that much longer to drop it into the ground. 

This project includes many up lights, water lights, decorative path lights and 2 towers (1) 42" and the other 26". Which both give off beautiful shadows in the space. All bronze fixtures with a lifetime warranty (labor not included) I buy direct so I can pass on the savings to my customers.

I believe in building all my systems with the ability to be expanded if needed with above ground hubs. This makes expansion easy. While many companies offer landscape lighting not all hold a BFA in Visual Communications in Graphic Design from MICA Maryland Institute College of Art. Lighting may have basic rules that are followed. But lighting is still not a One and Done! A small change in a light bulb watt can change everything. With my training I can see what others might not. 

I also enjoy lighting spaces using a "NATURAL" approach: ~ Asymmetry ~ Few Shadow Effects ~ Softer Light ~ Architecture not emphasized. 

VS "THEATRICAL" ~ Symmetry ~ Shadow Effects ~ Crisp Light ~ Architecture Emphasized. 

Water feature lights installed in ponds

1/2" PVC conduit piping for sleeving 12 gauge wire to minimize long term damage

Old lights got new LED bulbs saving on power. No need to replace the old with new if they work!

This 26" light is designed to be staked into the ground the client wanted to have it placed on a house sill shelf. So I made a platform 4' x 16" with 3/4" PVC board cut down and routed all the corners and even a cord/cable slot out the back. 

I also added a safety wire on the top back of the light to avoid it from falling off incase of high winds. Just and step to avoid damage. 

I sleeved all the wires going up to the light with 1/2" copper pipe. All connectors and pipe not glued so it can easily be taken apart if needed. Then used copper wire to attach it to the hand railing. 

Need to light up your space? Call today to schedule a site visit along with a demo set up $100 fee. (credited to your project if you move forward)

2022 Spring Workshops Coming

  We've Missed You! 

Spring Workshops Are Back for 2022!

After a short hiatus (due to the pandemic) we would like to announce the return of our affordable workshops for all who are interested in learning the craft of dry laid stone construction. We keep our overhead down so we can help everyone afford our dry stone workshops. These are crazy times we are living in, but we really want to help you learn something new!  

Paypal links and dates coming 1/10/2022

April 2022

Fundamental Skills Workshop
1 Day Workshops $175*

Free Standing Wall Workshop

2 Day Workshop $350*

Flatwork / Patio Workshop (Sponsors: Grabo Suction Tool & Hadler Paver Mallets)

1 Day Workshops $195*

* NOTE these workshop prices are a NON-REFUNDABLE PURCHASE

Video: Building a Boulder Retaining Wall

https://youtu.be/VWMFtECM_zw

Basalt Boulder Retaining Wall

Building a Boulder Retaining Wall.

Support this channel by shopping @ http://www.rockinwalls.com/p/shop.html

Descriptions: In this video I cover the methods I used to build this boulder retaining wall. Specs: 44' long x 8' high x 4'-5' wide. Total volume of stone estimated to be 150,000-200,000 pounds. From the equipment to the hands on each stone. This Basalt stone is no joke. Heavy, dense, large, crazy shapes. Stay to the end and enjoy the X10 footage. This stone was hauled off a job site in Whitmarsh Maryland. I've given it a job! No matter what size stone you will learn helpful tips to consider when building your next dry stone retaining wall. I'll point out running joints, zipper joints, 1 over 3, end of a wall, hearting and so much more. So grab some pop corn and kick pack. Enjoy the show.

#drystack #rockinwalls #boulderretaingwall #properdrylaidstone #basalt # ditchwitchsk850plus #DIY #Howto