Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Constructing The Bases

Soil was excavated from the grave plot and four base forms were constructed. The forms were placed, straightened, and leveled. The forms were placed so that they were 1 to 2 inches below soil level and the soil would cover them.

Some stones have bases that sit on top of the ground. These are tablet stones and do not have bases. Since the stones were broken and the lower portions could not be located and repaired, we wanted the bases underground to give the appearance that the stones were set in the ground.


A mortise or slot had to be constructed in each base for the stone to sit in. This was accomplished using 1x2's, a piece of 2x4 and some duct tape to keep the concrete from sticking.

After the concrete was poured, it was checked often and the jig for the mortise was removed before the concrete was totally dry and it couldn't be removed.

This is a critical step. Let it dry too much and you can't get it out. Take it out when it's too wet and your mortise collapses and you have to start all over again.


With the jigs removed, we will let the bases dry and then remove the forms from around them.





Then we can set the stones.

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