The memorial and stencil is now moved over conveyors into one of the sand-carving booths. The operator stands behind a shielded opening, directing a stream of abrasive that is blown under pressure of about one hundred pounds per square inch. When the abrasive strikes the rubber, it merely bounces off; but where the rubber has been cut away, the abrasive etches the pattern into the granite. This one-step method is used to produce letters and other two-dimensional designs. Although sand-carving has reduced the need for hand-cut letters, it has not eliminated the artistry required to produce fine lettering. Rock of Ages’ expert sand-carvers produce deeply sunk lettering with sharply defined edges.

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