dry stone walling

I read an article a while ago, where the author mixed some plaster filler smoothed it out onto some plastic sheet then when it had hardened he broke it up into small pieces then built it up into his walls with pva, it will be a pita to do but I reckon it would look very effective.

Pete.

 

Hi Ian,
This is the method that my mate Ralph uses on his layout, Earby Station (I've posted a video of it on this forum) to form quite long sections of stone walling.
Its more a small stone wall than dry stone but the method described below could possible be adapted if you source a material suitable or as Pete mentions, plaster chippings.
(Sent by email to me from Ralph)
This being my method.

1. Select gravel (small stones ) or stones[/*]
2. Two lengths of 25 mm aluminium angle, ( mine are 400 mm long) see picture below...[/*]
3. My spacers are 4.5 mm one each end and clamped, for shorter length of wall just add more spacers at required lengths.[/*]
4. Place in Dry gravel / stones to required hight of wall and tamp down, then remove dry gravel and place in a container.[/*]
5. Now give a very light spray of release agent to the inside of the aluminium, I use RP7, equivalent of WD40[/*]
6. Then I mix the gravel / stone, with PVA wood glue in the container to a consistency of toothpaste.[/*]
7. Now comes the patience bit. Placing in the mix, I use a piece of flat alloy to tamp gravel down as I go along till required wall height reached.[/*]
8. Leave 24 hours room temp to dry, remove fixture. Now depending on mix and temperature the wall may or may not bend into the curved shape you want. If the wall is to be straight then leave for a further 24 hours to dry solid.[/*]

As you will see in the video of Ralph's layout, his walls are very good and once made with care can be easily bent to shape with out breaking, glued in position and then the odd bit of weathering to blend in.
Hope that's of some help to you.
regards Kim (and thanks to Ralph)

 

Thanks Gary,Please don't thank me, its that man Ralph again who may well join us once he sorts his computer out with the repairman! But as before I'll pass on your remarks.