Typically you would either put in more stone (dutchman) or mortar.  The
problem with the marble tombstones is that they are so sugared and soft that
most repairs, including the adhesives, are going to be harder than the
existing original.  This is not a formula for long-lasting success,
especially in Vermont with the wet, freeze/thaw cycles you have.  I'd look
into consolidation and high lime mortars.  Also, I'd transcribe the text
while its still legible, photograph them and file with the church or town
library.

Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: Ruth Barton <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, December 20, 1999 10:29 PM
Subject: Re: Rockhard


>At 10:21 AM 12/20/1999, Gray, Tom wrote:
>>Sorry Ruth,  I was out of the office last week on my hands and knees
trying
>>to get a tenant into her rehabbed unit.  Rockhard is a "water putty" made
by
>>Durham.  Comes in a dry powder you mix with water for filling voids in
>>wooden surfaces.  It has been around for YEARS (for sure since I was a
kid).
>>
>>
>>Arkie Cuz
>
>Thanks,  Thought it sounded familiar.  I have used that stuff on occasion,
>worked fine for what I was using it for but I've seen it used in places
>where it was not intended to be used and it didn't work out so hot.  I
>didn't use it on wood though, I think it was for an interior cinder block
>wall.  Really, we do have them at the school where I work.
>
>Next question.  I do some work on gravestone repair, mostly marble.  Most
>of the stones are just broken and the quarries here in VT have a glue that
>works just fine to glue them back together, no problem.  The problem ones
>are the ones that have pieces missing, usually just where a crack developed
>and wasn't repaired so it just eroded away over time.  What I need is to
>find something that can be used to replace mass, that is the missing stone.
>Can someone advise me on this?  Have I made this as clear as mud by now?
>Thanks, Ruth
>
>Ruth (HOUGHTON) BARTON
>Westminster,Vermont, USA
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