This week was all about "sinking", going down to a surface that does not have an accessible edge. I found the process much like traditional plastering but inverted as stone is not an additive rather a reductive medium.
First we use a combination square to set a desired depth. In my case I had a total depth of 3/8" to my surface so I set my square to 1/4" for the first pass. This allowed me to carefully chisel out a number of "dots" across the surface. I used my claw chisel to "connect the dots" forming a type of screed. This provided a visual guide and physical breadcrumbs that prevented me from striking the punch too deeply as I efficiently removed the majority of mass.
I followed up my punching with a claw chiseling of the surface. The first go round was good pratise with minimal risk. I misjudged the depth the of one of the dots but didn't have to pay the penalty. Finally I was ready to go for my surface depth. These next dots had to be perfect. They were deliberately larger, enough to fit the bolster (2 inch chisel) in both directions. Also, I worked the line of the pointed arch that was available to me at the bottom as well as center edge of the mantle piece. Next steps will be to form "screeds" connecting these dots of each other and the worked edge below, then working the plane surface between.
Beautiful work!
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