Setting out and templet making for stonemasonry components
Setting out and templet making are fundamental to producing accurate stonemasonry components. This subtopic covers the geometric principles required to develop full-size working drawings and the construction of durable templates (templets) and moulds that guide the cutting and shaping of stone. Mastery ensures components fit correctly during assembly, reducing waste and rework.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Stonemasonry is your first step into a career that blends craftsmanship, history, and construction. This qualification introduces you to the fundamental skills needed to work with natural and artificial stone, from cutting and shaping to fixing and finishing. You'll learn about the properties of different stone types, essential health and safety practices, and how to use hand tools and power tools correctly. This diploma is designed for beginners, so no prior experience is required—just a willingness to work with your hands and an eye for detail.
Stonemasonry is one of the oldest trades, and it remains vital in modern construction for building walls, cladding, paving, and restoration work. By studying this diploma, you'll gain practical skills that are directly applicable to jobs on construction sites, in workshops, or on heritage projects. The course covers key areas such as setting out, mixing mortars, and basic masonry techniques like squaring, dragging, and chamfering. You'll also learn about the importance of accurate measurement and how to read simple drawings—skills that form the foundation for more advanced qualifications.
This diploma fits into the wider Construction & Building Services sector by providing a pathway into a skilled trade that is always in demand. Whether you want to become a banker mason (shaping stone in a workshop), a fixer mason (installing stone on site), or a memorial mason, this Level 1 qualification gives you the confidence and competence to progress to Level 2 or an apprenticeship. It also teaches you transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and working safely, which are valued across all construction roles.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Health and safety: Always follow COSHH regulations, use PPE correctly, and understand risk assessments for tasks like cutting stone or working at height.
- →Stone types and properties: Know the difference between igneous (e.g., granite), sedimentary (e.g., limestone, sandstone), and metamorphic (e.g., marble) rocks, and how their hardness affects tool use and fixing methods.
- →Basic setting out: Use a tape measure, square, and level to mark out dimensions accurately on stone, including transferring measurements from a drawing.
- →Hand and power tools: Master the correct use of tools like club hammers, chisels (pitching, bolster, point), and angle grinders, including maintenance and safe operation.
- →Mortar mixing and application: Understand the correct ratios of cement, lime, sand, and water for different applications (e.g., 1:1:6 for general purpose), and how to apply mortar for bedding and pointing.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Know stonemasonry geometry., Be able to carry out stonemasonry geometry., Know the principles of templet making., Be able to make templets and moulds.
- Understand stonemasonry geometry., Be able to carry out stonemasonry geometry., Understand the production process of templets., Be able to make templets and moulds.
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for demonstrating accurate application of basic geometric constructions (e.g., bisecting lines and angles, constructing perpendiculars and parallel lines) directly onto setting-out boards or templates.
- Award credit for producing clear, dimensionally stable templets that include all relevant markings (face mould, bed mould, joint lines) and material allowances.
- Award credit for correctly transferring dimensions from a drawing or specification to the templet material using appropriate tools such as compasses, dividers, and rules, ensuring the templet is robust and fit for repeated use.
- Award credit for demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between the templet and the final stone component, including how to orient the templet on the stone block according to grain direction and natural bed.
- Award credit for demonstrating accurate geometric setting out using appropriate drawing instruments and techniques.
- Assessment evidence must include full-size templets with clear markings for joints, bed lines, and reference faces.
- Candidates should show understanding of material selection for templets and moulds, ensuring durability and dimensional stability.
- Evidence of safe working practices during templet making, including correct use of tools and personal protective equipment.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡In practical assessments, always double-check that your templet includes identification markings (e.g., component reference, face side, top/bottom) as per industry convention to avoid errors later.
- 💡For geometry tasks, show all construction lines faintly and do not erase them; examiners look for evidence of method, not just the final outline.
- 💡When making a templet for a repetitive component, consider the durability required—thin plywood or zinc sheet may be more appropriate than paper, and this choice can be a point of discussion in oral questioning.
- 💡Practice common geometric problems such as constructing an ellipse using the trammel method or developing an arch segment, as these are frequently assessed in stonemasonry setting-out tasks.
- 💡Always double-check all measurements against the original specification before cutting templets to avoid costly errors.
- 💡Provide photographic evidence of the templet-making process to support your portfolio and demonstrate practical competence.
- 💡Label templets clearly with reference numbers, orientation marks, and face indications to prevent confusion during stone cutting.
- 💡Practice geometric constructions regularly to improve speed and accuracy for timed practical assessments.
- 💡Focus on accuracy in practical tasks: Examiners look for clean, straight cuts and consistent joint widths. Use a try square and straightedge to check your work regularly. Small errors add up, so take your time.
- 💡Know your health and safety: You will be assessed on safe working practices. Always wear goggles, gloves, and a dust mask when cutting. Keep your work area tidy and tools stored safely. This can make the difference between a pass and a fail.
- 💡Explain your process: In written assessments, use technical terms correctly (e.g., 'arris', 'bed', 'joint') and describe the sequence of operations. For example, when setting out, say 'I measure from the datum point and mark with a pencil before using a bolster chisel to cut.'
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Confusing the terms template and mould; a template is typically a 2D pattern used for marking profiles, while a mould may be a 3D form for checking shape during carving.
- Neglecting to include necessary sinking allowances (e.g., for joints, draft angles) on templets, leading to components that are too tight or cannot be fitted.
- Using unstable or inappropriate materials for templets (e.g., thin paper or cardboard) that distort with changes in humidity or repeated handling, causing inaccurate stone cutting.
- Incorrectly transferring a geometric construction from paper to a full-size setting-out board, for example not enlarging dimensions proportionally, resulting in a templet that does not match the required component.
- Confusing plan and elevation views when transferring dimensions from drawings to templets.
- Neglecting to account for mortar joints when setting out stone dimensions, leading to incorrect sizing.
- Using incorrect scale or failing to scale dimensions accurately from architectural drawings.
- Inaccurate cutting of templet outlines, resulting in stones that do not fit together properly.
- All stone is the same: Many students think all stone can be cut or shaped the same way. In reality, granite is much harder than sandstone and requires different tools (e.g., tungsten carbide-tipped chisels) and techniques. Using the wrong tool can damage both the stone and the tool.
- Mortar is just cement and sand: A common mistake is to mix mortar too wet or too dry, or to use the wrong ratio. For stonemasonry, lime is often added to make the mortar workable and to allow the stone to 'breathe'. Too much cement can cause cracking as the stone expands and contracts.
- You don't need to measure twice: Inaccurate measurements lead to wasted stone and time. Always measure twice and cut once. Even a 2mm error can cause gaps or misalignment when fixing stone on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for CITY & GUILDS LIMITED Setting out and templet making for stonemasonry components
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •No formal prerequisites are required for this Level 1 diploma, but basic numeracy and literacy skills (equivalent to Entry 3 or Level 1) are helpful for measuring and reading instructions.
- •An interest in practical, hands-on work and a willingness to learn about construction health and safety will give you a good start.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Know stonemasonry geometry., Be able to carry out stonemasonry geometry., Know the principles of templet making., Be able to make templets and moulds.
- Understand stonemasonry geometry., Be able to carry out stonemasonry geometry., Understand the production process of templets., Be able to make templets and moulds.
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