A short introductory presentation on how to produce an ovolo mould on sandstone using traditional tools and techniques

1. Cutting an Ovolo Mould
Introduction for Stonemasons
Stonemasonry Department 2012

2. Mould Recognition
An ovolo moulding consists of a TOP BED OF
FILLET STONE
number of elements which can be
seen in the diagram. It is essential
that you are able to readily
identify each element so that you
can follow the correct procedures
for setting out and cutting an OVOLO
ovolo mould.
FILLET
FACE OF
STONE

3. Roman Mould Development
Begin by marking the
total width of the mould
on the base line to form
points A and B.
A 140mm B

4. Roman Mould Development
Begin by marking the
total width of the mould
on the base line to form
points A and B.
Strike lines at 90 to the
base line which run
through points A and B
140mm
A 140mm B

5. Roman Mould Development
C D
Begin by marking the
total width of the mould
on the base line to form
points A and B.
Strike lines at 90 to the
base line which run
through points A and B
140mm
Mark the total height of
the mould from point A
and strike a line to form a
perfect square and form
points C and D
A 140mm B

6. Roman Mould Development
Begin by marking the
20mm
total width of the mould
on the base line to form
points A and B.
Strike lines at 90 to the
base line which run
60mm
through points A and B
Mark the total height of
the mould from point A
and strike a line to form a
perfect square and form
points C and D
Construct the grid for the
mould using the
appropriate sizes
20mm 60mm

7. Roman Mould Development
Begin by marking the
total width of the mould
on the base line to form
F
points A and B.
Strike lines at 90 to the
base line which run
through points A and B
Mark the total height of
the mould from point A
G and strike a line to form a
E perfect square and form
points C and D
Construct the grid for the
mould using the
appropriate sizes
Using centre E strike a
curve hitting points F and
G to form the cavetto.

8. Roman Mould Development
TOP
At this stage the mould is
BED
complete and you should
darken the appropriate
lines to better define the
mould. If you are
producing a template you
should complete the
template by including all
relevant information eg
mould name, type of
template, your name, top
bed and joint etc.
FACE
A STUDENT
OVOLO
JOINT TEMPLATE

9. Cutting an Ovolo
Hold template to top bed and face of Mark template to both Cut a splay to remove
stone, making sure to align it properly joints and scribe across the waste stone. The
by holding a straight edge against the the top bed and face to splay should be 2-
aligned face and bringing the template join the profiles. 4mm above any
to meet the straight edge. cutting lines.
Run the mould through by
setting in along the arrises, Set in the mould on Set in the fillets at the top and
both joints and check Join the fillets bottom of the mould, checking
teething down and chiselling.
The mould should be checked accuracy with joint along the length with a sinking square that they
for straight between the joints and reverse of the mould. are square and at the correct
and a reverse template can be templates. depth.
used to check for accuracy.

10. Marking a Mitre
A mitre is the term used to describe the arris formed when adjacent mouldings
intersect. There are both external and internal mitres.
EXTERNAL MITRE MITRE BLOCKS STEEL SQUARES
There are two common methods of marking a mitre line; using mitre blocks and
using two steel squares. The mitre block method is often easier but a stonemason is
more likely to carry the squares in their toolkit. Your course tutor will demonstrate
each method in the workshop.

11. Cutting an Ovolo to an Ashlar Stop
Begin by marking an external mitre line
on the existing mould. The top point of Mark a splay to Set in the fillets at the top and
this line is determined by applying the remove the bottom of the mould, checking
joint template to the back of the stone wastage from the with a sinking square that they
and squaring, from the face, to the top return mould. are square and at the correct
of the fillet depth.
Run the mould through by Set in the mould at
setting in along the arrises, the mitre and close to Join the fillets
teething down and chiselling. the ashlar stop and along the length
The mould should be checked check accuracy with of the mould.
for straight between the joints reverse template.
and a reverse template can be
used to check for accuracy.

12. Developed by The Stonemasonry Department
City of Glasgow College
2012