It is often a cause for debate with wallers whether to use mechanical assistance to strip down and prepare walls. For me, on the majority of jobs I like to see the stone as it passes through my hands. In this way, I am able to grade it, assess the stone and separate into copes, throughs and super special bits that you need when building...the get out of jail bits that at times you need. (it's a waller thing!) Having said all of that there are also times when having a digger, driven by a competent (and this is key) driver can save days and days of work. Recently I and a colleague have been preparing a site where we have had to move around 90m of wall. It needs rebuilding away from the tangled mass of tree roots that have now grown under the wall. In addition, cattle have been allowed to graze close to the wall and have eroded the soil leaving the wall almost appearing suspended in places. So, to have hand stripped this out, carrying each stone down a bank and laying it out; plus tu
As well as being my fave song at the moment I do love a good curve! I have just completed a lovely wall encompassing a long curve and steps which has replaced a wall build by some builders mate..."It'll stay up a lifetime that!" kinda wall. A few years later and I'm in rebuilding the whole thing. I enjoy posting little video rants on my instagram page about top tips for walling and how not to build a drystone wall....this has made it into the gallery! Here are some before and after shots. Steps are different heights and depths Steps now uniform and recessed into wall Wall already leaning and fallen in places as all large beautiful dressed stone had been placed at the back. No through stones were used either. Both leading to a structurally unsound wall New wall coursed with a batter on it and plenty of throughs in wall. Largest stone at front