Edgings for sandstone - Alternatives to finish nom-fettled edges

[Ivor Bigun]

Hello to everyone, this is my first post and possibly the first of many as the knowlrdge that exudes from here is second-to-none.
My question is this; what suggestions do you have for edging indian sandstone that will enable me to use curves in my design without re-fettling the cut edges and also to bring to the nose of a step. I would like to render the risers so I guess I would have to do this after the tread has been finished so as to hide the bedding joint under the tread.

[Tony McC]

As most sandstone flags are rectangular, the only way to form curves is to cut the flags accordingly. You could form a curved edging strip using, say, clay pavers (concrete pavers never look right with natural stone) and then fill the inevitable gap between edging and flags with a decorative gravel or similar.

[lutonlagerlout]

i think i saw this on ground farce,the clay edging were laid say 1m apart in an s shape then various flags were laid to the level randomly,then gravel in the triangle shaped joints

then 2 weeks later the pikeys nicked the lot!!

couldnt have been laid that well

LLL

[Iain]

Image of sandstone to curved edge and curved step hiding cut edge. May give you some ideas. Also giving me chance to see if I can upload photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27365336@N04

[Ivor Bigun]

Thanks Iain, your upload works. If my handiwork ends up looking anything like that I'll be well happy.
What stone is that?

[Iain]

Thanks. Its Marshalls Haworth Moor. Autumn Bronze Multi. They are wet which makes the different hues stand out much more. Nice stone to work with.

[Rich H]

Nice job Iain.

Ivor - that's Indian sandstone, hewn. When you edge with setts the cuts can be made by the disc cutter because what you see is the fettled edge of the setts, not the cut which is pointed in.

[lutonlagerlout]

nice job iain
take it you are pro?
LLL

[matt h]

well impressed m8. excellentfinish to those curves. nice pics.

[Iain]

Thanks for the compliments folks you've made me blush. Rich is right about the cuts for the bottom course of the step risers all of which were cut sandstone walling blocks same as the wall but all the top course and all the flags cut to the curves of the wall had their edges fettled by hand because it doesn't take long and the quality of the finish is all in the detail Ivor. so I reckon if you leave the edges as cut they will always look like cut edges and stand out like a sore thumb.

[Ivor Bigun]

So what you're saying is even though the flags have been cut into a curve and then edged with the setts I should re-fettle the cuts. Is there a knack or do you just chip away with a brickie hammer until it looks right?

[Rich H]

If you score the underside with the disc cutter to about half the thickness of the slab you can then carefully 'snap' it with a hammer and bolster, then fettle away to your hearts' content. Tony has a section on the main site which covers this, I think.

Yes, he does

http://www.pavingexpert.com/cut_in01.htm