Masonry Magazine April 2004 Page. 68
STONE
Take advantage of your carver's expertise and experience.
The Process
There are several stages in working with a carver, and it is generally best to involve the carver very early in the planning. In my experience, the carver can often suggest things that you, the client or architect didn't consider before. These modifications may give a better result while holding costs down, speeding up the project and ensuring that the installation goes smoothly.
In the initial discussions you will look at the carver's work and experience, and the carver will need to understand your project. Next will come design and pricing, then shop drawings and ordering of the stone. When the stone arrives at the carver's shop the process of carving will begin. The final stages are delivery and installation.
Concept
In the initial phase, the carver will want to know about the style, choice of material, budget, schedule and practicality of the project. Information about the design and scale of the room or
TROW & HOLDEN STONE CARVING SET
OUR AIR-POWERED CARVING SET
Tool pouch for easy storage
Includes:
* Trow & Holden "B" type short stroke carving tool with 1/2" or 3/4" size piston
* 10' air hose with all connecting hardware installed
...and featuring carving chisels with Trow & Holden's exclusive solid carbide blade-1/2" wide straight blade, 5/8" wide rondel blade, 3/4" wide blade w/ 4 teeth
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET STARTED
(including the absolute best stone carving chisels available)
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"You provide the 3-5 HP comprena
$ 375
MADE TO LAST IN BARRE, VERMONT
TROW AND HOLDEN COMPANY
45 South Main St., Barre, VT 05641
In Vermont call 476-7121
Out of state call 1-800-451-4349
www.trowandholden.com
66 Masonry
CIRCLE 311 ON READER SERVICE CARD
April 2004
NO STRANGER TO STONE
Trow and Holden Co.'s manufacturing plant lies on the banks of Barre Vermont's Winooski River, which once powered the machinery in the century-old brick building. Founded in 1861 as the Stafford and Holden Works, the company initially manufactured agricultural implements, such as hay rakes, shovels and pitch forks. As the Barre granite industry grew famous and prospered in the late 1800s, William Holden, eldest son of founder Clark Holden, invented and patented the original handheld pneumatic carving tool, used throughout the world for carving the finest monumental, sculptural and architectural stone work.
Renamed to Trow and Holden Co. in 1890, the company has continued to work side-by-side with the highly skilled persons who use these tools, refining their design, improving materials and processes, and exploring new applications. From forging and forming, to heat treat and finish grinding, all products are made in Trow and Holden's factory.
"We are proud that all of our tools are made on the same site in Barre, Vt., where they have been manufactured for 115 years," says Norm Akley, President and fifth-generation Owner of Trow and Holden Co. "Our employees all complete a four-year apprenticeship in tool making-we like to say that our tools are made by artisans for artisans."
Besides pneumatic tools and chisels for stonecarving, Trow and Holden also manufactures a wide variety of carbide-tipped hand tools and hammers used by stonemasons throughout the world. The company was among the very first to successfully use tungsten carbide tips on hand tools and hammer blades. Tungsten carbide is a man-made material comprised of various metal powders, which are formed-to-shape under great pressure, then heat-treated.
"Some of the original impact-grades of carbide were developed to our specifications back in the 1940s," says Akley. "Our customers were working in Barre Grey Granite, some of the hardest stone in the world, and they needed the reliability and cost-effective performance that only the best carbide grades can offer. Since then, Trow and Holden Co. has continued to be at the forefront in carbide material development and uses only virgin powder U.S. manufactured carbide in all of their products.
Trow and Holden Co. is proud to offer the highest quality and widest variety of stonecutting tools available anywhere. "Our long tradition of working closely with our customers is instrumental in keeping us innovative. The best designs come from the users of our tools," says Akley. "Because we make everything right here, we can respond quickly to a customer's particular need. It's not unusual for a tool we custom-fabricated to end up in our next catalog"
Whether it's stone-cutting hammers, carbide hand chisels or precision pneumatic carving tools, Trow and Holden Co. will strive to continue to lead the industry in design and materials innovation.
"Our roots are in granite country," says Akley. "Believe me, we know hard stone."
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