Questions???

What is real stone? Stoneworks' Fieldstone and Quarry stones come from quarries. They are labeled in the "State" the quarry is located. We diamond wet saw our quarry stone to 1/2" thick, then "cleave" it for modeling 1/16" to 5/8" thick into stone sticks (see photo). Then, you can shape each stick using ceramic tile nippers. We also offer a thin fieldstone.

Can I find real stone locally? You can usually locate your own fieldstone locally – dried stream bed or bank, landscaping outlet, alongside a road from a "highway cut" through the top of a hill, and maybe in your driveway. A 5 gallon pail usually yields 50 lbs. That's a LOT of projects! A stone portal usually takes around 7 lbs.

Stone modeling? Fifteen years ago we developed the Quikrete® Vinyl Patcher Technique for modeling garden railroad structures that remain outside year-round. You can finish a model in about 2 weeks by pouring in the evenings. It's fun to do, easy on the wallet and extremely durable outside (we call it "all-weather"). The step-by-step technique with full instructions is found our book #7051 How to model in Stone and Cement. Some modelers still like to glue real stone to concrete, wood, steel or foam substrates.

What is the difference between Stoneworks and JigStones? With JigStones . . . you are making your own stones using RTV rubber molds that they sell you. To do this, you're using a fast setting concrete with gypsum in it. Then you have to assemble the stones you've made . . . and paint them. If your planning to leave these buildings on your garden railway, then it's recommended that you water seal the "jig stone" or they will deteriorate and fall apart over time. Stoneworks developed a technique for modeling with Quikrete® Vinyl Patcher Cement - a concrete product that's made of portland cement. This patcher cement – used to repair your driveway – requires NO sealing. It "sets up" slowly – like real concrete truck cement and has a "green stage", too. During the green stage is when you can shape and carve in it, etc. Real quarried stones held together by this cement require no painting. When mixed to pancake batter consistency . . . and poured . . . you can cast different building textures - sidings and roofs.

How do you buy stone from us? We sell our quarry stone sticks "by-the-pound". Each order is custom, hand-cut to your needs. Quarry sticks have two parallel and smooth edges at approx. 1/2" apart. Placed flat to flat, these form even rows or "courses".

Coverage? One pound of thin cut course stone covers approx. 26 to 30 sq. inches. This coverage will vary as some stone is lighter by weight (#58 OH sandstone) so you get more stone "coverage" per pound. The heavier stone lays less of an area (#19NY Bluestone).

Glues? We recommend GE Silicone Caulk (clear) to replace a stone that didn't cast well . . . or got loosened when it was removed from the formwork. It's used for bathtubs, sinks and windows. When gluing stone directly to steel as a substrate, Dennis R., modeler friend recommends clear LEXEL – a Sashro Product. www.sashco.com. When using plastic as a substrate, Bob P. modeler recommends an epoxy Araldite 2015 (specs: www.araldite2000plus.com; availibility and info write bcatmell@krayden.co).

Ordering? Select the stone you would like (samples are available) and include this number with either the "pounds" needed or area coverage required. We'll be happy to discuss your project and the amount of stone you may need.

Pictures? Click on link Stone Model Gallery - RR models and Building Structures