Graphical Construction Glossary >> masonry. >> stonework >> Millstone

Millstone

A shaped stone used by millers to grind various grains in the production of flour.

Mill-stone Grit

A sharp sandstone rock found in the UK and used for grinding flour and for for sandstone grinding wheels.

Above is a large (about five feet diameter) stone seen in Haarlem. This was used in a wind driven flour mill. The stones were made purposely very thick to add weight to aid the grinding process, but also to give the stone a long life. When the stones wore down a mason would go over the whole surface with a pointed hammer to expose a fresh gritty surface, in the process known as dressing the stone, and to deepen the grooves.

While the photo was taken in Holland the brickwork is built using English bond. Similarly in the UK we see many examples of Flemish bond.

Mill-stone grit is an English term for the hard rock found in many parts of the UK, most notably in the rock-climbing areas of the Peak District. In Europe a main source is situated around Cologne in the Rhine Valley.

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