Making a Headstone Base

Sculptor AC Button II of carolinasculpturestudio.com/ presents a Basic Video Series as an introduction to methods used in studio producing fine memorial and sculpture work. ‪@carolinasculpturestudio‬ is a growing video portfolio of his work and includes the Virtual Stone Carving Apprenticeship playlist for aspiring carvers and sculptors.
In this video, Button produces a 6"-2" x 2'-4" x 1'-4" Georgia Blue Granite Base with polished top, check & cove scotia dropwash and balance rock pitch detail from a basic piece of granite stock. He does all work in studio by hand using only the equipment shown in the video plus a 4 1/2" and 7" side grinders fitted with diamond saw blades. All scotia dropwash and check margin detail is carved and smoothed without grinding or abrasives. Carbide-tipped chisels and pneumatic hammers are used to produce the final leveled hand axed finish. Only the sharp edges are lightly abraded with a rubbing stone at the very end of the project to limit the chance of small fractures in the crystals on the edges.
This Granite Base project is featured in its entirety on the VSCA Video playlist in VSCA Videos 54-98. The VSCA is produced as an archive to the methods of the professional granite cutters, carvers and sculptors to guide new talent in their work and as a tribute to the relatives and many Masters who generously trained Button decades ago during his apprenticeship. Button's grandfather and other family members have done this type of finishing work for over a century. His cousin, Master Finisher and Carver Andy Hebert, trained him in these techniques.
For more information about Sculptor AC Button II, his work and training opportunities including pricing, visit carolinasculpturestudio.com for contact information.

[@picklesnoutpenobscott3165]

Thank you, Clint

[@vaqueroontario]

Very nice, most enjoyable job I ever had was cutting stone for a memorial company, I used to take both great pleasure and pride in cutting bibles and hearts, as well as many serp topped stones, and a variety of bases. It was really interesting to watch your video and craftsmanship, thank you.

[@charliemyres5450]

Fantastic work Cliffy! Your attention to detail is a joy to watch.

[@Onionbaron]

So much better than Guns and roses!!! 😎

[@lucdaigle2394]

I've been following your tutorials since the beginning and greatly appreciate your time and effort to bring this craft to more people. I would like to ask a few questions about the professional aspect of this trade: for this project how many billable hours would normally go into fabrication of this granite base, how much does a delivered stone from the quarry for this size project cost (do you select each stone or trust the quarry to provide a suitable stone), what other consumables add to the overall expense. Finally, what is your expectation for your time, what does a stone carver value their time at?

[@nzs316]

Thank you for uploading this, amazing! How the heck did the Egyptians do it with copper and bronze tools...