16. I cannot but Honor the Felloship of the Masons because of its Antiquity; and the more, as being a Member of that Society, called Free-Masons: In being conversant amongst them I have observed the use of these severall Tools following, some whereof I have seen born in coats Armour.
Shovel
CXLI. In this Square are three Free Mason tools
very usefull in there trade. The first is a Shovel: It
hath a square bottom, and sole, else it is in all other
parts like the Spade. With this their Morter is tempered, and foundations for Walls are digged. This is an
honorable bearing.
Hand hammer
The second is the Hand Hamer, which is both long
and strong in the head, with an Iron hoop on the end of
the handle to keep it from bruising or wearing, because
the end is very often used by them as well as the hammer
part. This may well be termed a Masons Hammer,
because there is no other tradsmans like it, haveing the
face long, and the hinder part flat and broad to the
Halve side.
Chisel
The third is the Chissel, now this is a Chissel contrary to all others used in Ioynery or Carpentry; for this
is all Iron strong and thick, the edge not very sharp but
well made, and of good tempered Steel. Of these they
have severall sorts, big and little, according as the nature
of the work requireth.
Mason's pick
CXLII. He beareth a Masons Pick, or
Pick Axe, between a Former or Clenser, and a
Punch.
The Axe, it is the first tool they use
in ston work, which is for the takeing off of all irregluarities of the ston, and to bring it into some forme for
what it is intended before other tools are used.
Cleanser
The Clenser, or Former, is a broad ended Iron
Plate, or Old Chessel, with a broad bottom, set in an
Handle; with which Tool they smooth and make even
the Stone after it is cut into that form and Order, as the
Work man will have it.
Punch
The Punch is a sharp pointed Iron, or Steel, set in
an Handle; with this they draw out lines for to cut their
Work by.
Mallet
CXLIII. In this square is three other Free Masonry
Tools the first is the Mallet; which is a round piece of
heavy Wood with an Handle put through it; the Chissel though not very sharp, yet with the weighty blows of
the Mallet cuts any part of the Stone, as he pleaseth;
or worketh any sort of Figure, or Mouldings, that he
is capable of performing, that this is born in Armes I
have shewed before, in Chap.8. Numb.76. and Chap.9.
Numb.4.
Mattock
The Second is the Mattock: It is an Instrument for
the breaking up of Ground, to lay Foundations; and also is much used with stone Getters in Quarries. Some
Mattocks have one end like a Pick, and the other end
broad, the same turning to the Handle.
Tronel
The Third is called a Tronel; it is a flat Iron of an
Oval form, having a sharp point proceeding from one
part or end of it, and the like from the other end, but
one turns up in the point, like to a square, or Tentry Hook.
Commander
CXLIV. He beareth in this Quarter four Masons Instruments, or working Tools; the first is called a Commander; which is no other than a great Mallet with
a long handle, some call it a Maul or Male; the Mallet being the diminitive of it. This is used in Quarries,
for the getting of Stone, it driving in (with the Help of
the great Hammer) wedges into the clefts of the Rocks.
Triangle
The second is the Triangle; it is an Instrument
made of a Board, cut into a triangular form; which by
the help of a Line and Plummet, gives instructions to
the Work-man, whether his work be true, either on the
flat, or in the upright.
Mason's axe
The Third is an Axe, or Masons Axe; this having a broad sharp end, doth cut away and make smooth
the Stone, from all its irregular blows and dents made
by the Pick-Axe, in hewing it to its form, that it should
be, the first working is termed, Broching; the latter
Axeing.
Square
The fourth is termed a Square: it is made generally
of Wood, by the use of it all Stones are cut square, so
that one may lye by an other, and joyn to an other, either in Floars or Walls, in a fit decorum; that these are
in Coates Armour, see Numb.13. 14. 15.
Whetstone
[Named image among drawings of mason's tools]
Ten foot rod
CXLV. In this quarter are four Instruments of the
Masons; The first is in the dexter side, and is termed a
Rule, or a Ten foot Rod; the use of this is to measure the length and breadth of a ground plot into feet, and
if there be odd Inches they are measured with a two Foot
Rule; thereby to order the model of the building, it is
also for divers other uses.
Water level
The Second is the Instrument in chief, which is called
the Water-level; it is a long Rule with a Rigget in
the middle of it, from one end to the other: by the means
of this, with a Level set upon it; the height of a place
may be known at a distance, and whither it be higher
then that, place from whence you take your aim.
[The second image is named on the drawing, although it does not match the plate image. It is drawn on the proof plate 8b, no. 164 and also on plate 9a no. 64, but is replaced on both printed versions.]
Temple mould
The third and fourth are termed Temple Moulds;
they are Boards cut in that for as the Stone is to be cut as
for Example, a Mould that is convex, having the
swellings outwards, make the Stone the same; if it be
Concave, the Stone is cut away inwards, this under
Mould being a fit one for a Gutter-stone.
Temple mould
Mouldings
CXLVI. These are 2 other sorts of Moulds, for the
cutting of Mouldings in Stone work; the first is a
square with a swelling Frize. And the second is a
square with a swelling Frize, and revale, with a
square Foot.
Moulding
CXLVII. This is a moulding that hath in it two
Squares, or one Square and Fillet; a swelling Frize,
with a Square Foot and two Fillets, or Aunulets.
Cornice
CXLVIII. This is the moulding of an other sort of
Cornice, which is termed (beginning at the bottom as
all workmen) Arche-trave, Frize, and Cornice. But
more perticularly for the names of each part, we will begin at the top, and cone downward, where there is a
Square, a Fillet, and an O.G. moulding for the Cornice; two Fillets or Squares, for the Frize; and a
Plain with a Square for its Archetrave; these are the
plain and ordinary term amongst the Vulgar sort of
Hewers of Stone, that know no better things: but the
more engenious, and learned work-men, have other
terms, for which I shall refer you to Chap.13. Numb.65.
66. 67. 73. 74.
Prong and thatcher's knave
Image from proof plate[Thatcher's tools; see Ch. 14, number 96f.]
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