I'm a stone mason, and I'm half way convinced that a fair portion of the posts here are at MOST five people. AMA?

Do you think it's possible that stone masonry is, adjusted for inflation, more expensive today than it was a hundred years ago despite improvements in technology? I.e. Cheaper, shorter lived building materials/techniques generates reduced demand for stone masonry, causing fewer stone masons like yourself to exist and ply the trade, increasing scarcity and therefore cost.

Edit: also, huge admiration for your trade. I love stonework and wish it were more common.

If you were suddenly fabulously wealthy, would you continue to work in stone, or quit and never look back?

What led you to being a stone mason

How much does brick and a half weigh?

Who would win in a fight Freemasons or Stonemasons?

What's your favorite hammer?

What kind of stone is this?

what do you think happens when we die?

Do you mean on c/AskMeAnything? or lemmy.ca in general? I'm new here.

I found out my fieldstone foundation mortar turned to dust. I removed everything from my basement and have been tuck pointing for the last several months. It is a hard slog and slow going. I am not a mason but am doing this by necessity (i.e., I'm a fixed pension senior). It is amazing what I have learned from my "practice" wall and YouTube videos. I imagine if a real mason had a look they'd shake their head but it looks good to me and I am over halfway through. Changing out the windows was a learning experience as well. I never did anything like this before but as I am getting closer to the finish line, pride from hard work that pays off is starting to appear.

How many people have confused stone mason and Freemason when you've told them what you do?

What's your favourite-size mason jar, and how many stones will it hold?

As the fifth of five people.... How did you know?

Need your professional opinion on something: what's the best way to undermine the 12ft curtain wall protecting my enemy's fortress?

My great-grandfather was a stone mason. My office happens to be inside a (non-military) wall he built.

I imagine there's a basic set of skills every mason has to have to be called a competent mason. But more advanced skills aren't necessary. What skills did you develop that you really worked hard on? What some skill that really impresses you that you don't have in masonry?

The numbers, mason, what do they mean?

Oh so you're a stone mason? Name 3 stones!

No seriously, what's your favourite stone to mason?

How do masons feel about Freemasons?

Hey friend!

My dad is a master mason and has been working for 30+ years.

I don't have any questions, but I advise you to have a backup plan. My pa is in his 50s and has obliterated all of the tissue padding between the joints in his hands from all of his work. He's freaking out because he doesn't have any apprentices that are willing to work so hard, so he's pretty much out of options and unfortunately too poor to just retire.

So, y'know, have a plan B.

Electrician thinking of moving to Scotland from US. Any advice?

Seeing as Scotland and Canada share a lot of place names, what's your favourite place that you've been to both the Scottish and Canadian versions of? (Nova Scotia does not count)

What’s your recommendation on replacing a farmhouse style sink that’s set in a stone countertop (I think it’s quartz). We believe the countertop was placed on top of the sink, which makes removal difficult as there’s small lips on either side of the sink. I believe those lips could be removed but not sure the best way to go about it safely without damaging the rest of the countertop or lungs.

Those pictures are amazing.

Do you run into trouble with permits and Inspections because that type of skilled work can't be very common. Or is it?

I salute you for the informative responses here, and for bringing some variety to the community by talking about a topic that isn't carried by sensationalism.

Do you have a mason's mark?

How did you get started as a stone mason?

Bonus: what made you first consider it seriously as a profession?

Are you really good at sand castles?

What's the biggest thing you ever made? Which work are you the most proud of?

And how are you received as a Canadian in Scotland? Do they treat you alright?

Do you have midges in Canada?

Name one of your favorite lunches for stone masoning. Why is that one in the list of faves?

What are your thoughts on the issue of dust with cultured stone, is it similar for real stone as well?

have you played dwarf fortress

Favorite and least favorite stoner joke?

What are the major hazards involved in stone masonry? How did you get involved in the field?

Has anyone ever tried to get you to make a peridotite wall facing, or countertop?

What are the cool and interesting tools in stone masonry?

I know a reasonable amount about metal and wood working tools, so I imagine CNC cutting and engraving have added some interesting new options, but I really have no other guesses

I see you do outside stone work. Ever do housing interior stone? Like granite or stone counter tops for houses? Stone on outside of houses? Anything residential?

How often do you get laid because of your stone mason expertise?

Do you know Angus?

How long did it take you to understand the country accent?