Engraving a Headstone

From prep to finish, this is how a "slant" headstone is double process, engraved.
A lot of comments saying this isn't engraving, it's sandblasting. By definition, this most definitely is engraving, only with "sand" (aluminum oxide).
Watch the slowed down version with explanations here:
• Engraving a headstone ...

[@Nashvillain10SE]

I thought it might be unseemly to watch Mr. Woods' headstone being engraved without knowing a bit about him, so here's the obituary I found... Harold Richard "Butch" Woods, 85 of Arlington passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022 at Blanchard Valley Hospital. He was born in Findlay on August 21, 1936 to the late Harley and Myrtle (Steinman) Woods. He married Virginia L. Goodart and she preceded him in death. On February 12, 1987, he married Shirley E. May-Zechman and she survives. Also surviving are children, Phillip (Marilyn) Woods, Bethann (Tony) Ray, Jim (Janet) Woods, Jason (Chris) Woods, Terri (David) Williams, Kim (Bill) Kennedy and Todd (Amy) Zechman; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Ann Riker and Kathy (Jim) Loy. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Ed, Joe and Bob Woods. Butch retired from Cooper Tire and Rubber and was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes, Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers fan. He also leaves behind his faithful companion "Charlie" (his dog). Butch loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed by them.

[@thomasdragosr.841]

RIP Butch!

[@night_al]

That's awesome! Thank you for sharing

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

Thank you for doing that.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Thanks for posting this...

[@CHDean]

TY. That was thoughtful.

[@tripackdroned4626]

Growing up in Northern Ireland I had a friend who's father carried out all of these steps by hand with just a hammer and chisel. Regardless of the weather, all year round he would sit on a simple wooden ‘stool’, sometimes working inside, sometimes outside through rain, snow, and wind. He always wore his battered trilby and a heavy tweed sports jacket, and he chain-smoked his roll-ups. Given all of this low-tech equipment, he never missed a letter, made every line perfectly straight, and text was perfectly centred, and if the client wanted text with serifs, depth, shadow or anything else you could imagine, the Carver would pull out a dog eared catalogue for the client to choose from. Gone now but never forgotten.

[@thecw301]

A lost art, to be sure.

[@richardf6932]

I have spent countless hours on youtube watching just about everything but this is the first time I have seen how a headstone is made. Excellent work. Thank you....

[@night_al]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@noahjuanjuneau9598]

Thanks! Hasn’t changed much at all since I had this gig back in the early 1970s when I was still a university student and worked part time doing this exact process. Our working conditions were a bit rougher as we did our work in a big open metal shed with a dirt floor and the wind blowing thru - freezing your butt off in winter but cool in summer when it was near 100° outside it was still cool and damp in the shed. We had overhead cranes moving multi-ton chunks of granite over and around while we worked and giant cable saws running cutting granite down into slabs. But the process of making markers and monuments was exactly like this. I worked at that job while I went to art school and left there to work in an ad agency downtown in a high rise. Thanks for the memories!

[@night_al]

Thanks for watching!

[@deniseberrios1362]

Now I understand why those things cost so much money! This is a lot of work!

[@bbtwoldieent3880]

After reading this and viewing your display picture i can say "i love you" ❤

[@johnwilcox231]

Used be done with hammer and chisel

[@BruceBishop]

I love the critical comments... This process is incredible. I have a new appreciation for what goes into making something like this. Great video!

[@night_al]

Thank you, I appreciate that! Thanks for watching

[@sjwilson1079]

Seeing this video makes it clear not to take things for granite.

[@calumcookson740]

Making puns around deaths is a very grave matter

[@night_al]

I would love to entertain this pun, but this is deathly serious. It may not be carved in stone, but jokes like this are dirty and will put you in a hole

[@AndYetThereAreIdiotsAmongUs]

Funny story. I had a pillow fight with Death. I suffered the reaper cushions. Dead serious!

[@night_al]

@@AndYetThereAreIdiotsAmongUs 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@darranweston9425]

This is a grave matter

[@JamesFromTexas]

Don't know why this popped up on my suggestions but still cool to watch. Thanks!

[@night_al]

Thanks for watching!

[@gordd7348]

Now I understand why they are so expensive. A real work of art by a master!

[@night_al]

Thank you so much for the compliment! And thanks for watching!

[@davidconaway2830]

One of the coolest videos I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing. RIP Mr. Woods.

[@night_al]

Thank you and I appreciate you watching!

[@lfeco]

Very interesting indeed. I had no idea that's how it was done. Thanks for doing the video.

[@night_al]

@@lfeco I appreciate you watching! Thank you!

[@leonardhirtle3645]

I worked for a monument company almost 50 years ago engraving and installing monuments. The methods have changed a bit but it’s still the same thing. Good work sir and all the best.

[@night_al]

Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching!

[@jdsmith2954]

I looked up Butch's obit. He seemed to be a good dude! Lots of kids and grandkids as well.

[@michastarzyk7068]

This business will definitely never be in crisis.

[@chrishickory7907]

It'll thrive during crisis

[@night_al]

It did

[@kenharris5390]

Fascinating, thanks very much. I won't be needing a Headstone because I'm going to live forever, so far so good.

[@MintV2]

As a geologist for 37 years, I can say with confidence that it is a tombstone.

[@night_al]

Technically, he was buried in a casket. Tombstones indicate a tomb, headstones and gravestones indicate all other types of burials 😉

[@MintV2]

@@night_al who mentioned burials? Not me.

[@night_al]

Semantics

[@sawingstrings]

Non big 10 graduate. 😊

[@night_al]

@@sawingstrings lol. confirmed

[@googleuser3110]

Harold Richard "Butch" Woods, 85, of Arlington passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022 at Blanchard Valley Hospital. He was born in Findlay on August 21, 1936 to the late Harley and Myrtle (Steinman) Woods. He married Virginia L. Goodart and she preceded him in death. On February 12, 1987, he married Shirley E. May-Zechman and she survives. Also surviving are children: Phillip (Marilyn) Woods, Bethann (Tony) Ray, Jim (Janet) Woods, Jason (Chris) Woods, Terri (David) Williams, Kim (Bill) Kennedy, and Todd (Amy) Zechman; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Ann Riker and Kathy (Jim) Loy. He was also preceded in death by three brothers: Ed, Joe, and Bob Woods. Butch retired from Cooper Tire and Rubber and was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Tigers fan. He also leaves behind his faithful companion "Charlie" (his dog). Butch loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed by them.

[@Layingflat]

RIP Butch. Beautiful headstone.

[@richardnichols3949]

I have ordered five headstones over my lifetime for relatives. Beautiful work you did there. The ones I ordered and were shipped to me were awesome also - flawless. I had always wondered how they did it. You should be very proud of the work you do as it will outlast any of us, and the assistance it provides relatives who need to find and see their passed on loved ones and kinfolks burial location and marker. Hats off to you!

[@night_al]

I definitely take pride in my work. Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@DOCTORJAN714]

Great video of something most people never get to see. Thanks!!

[@night_al]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@georgemacdonald5282]

Brilliant workmanship, at last now i know how a headstone is engraved, and its taken 67 years to find out, hope i dont need one quite yet. Thank you for your video.

[@night_al]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@randyellis9460]

The world needs more people like Butch, hard working, family man. Enjoy the after life Butch, 😊

[@ilgiusto6885]

I made this job for 40 years...But at hands....This Is very beauty job , bravo ! From 🇮🇹

[@night_al]

Thank you! And thank you for watching!

[@davecharlton5812]

I used to do this for my families business. We did it slightly different. We would whiten the stone as the last step. We’d use a putty in the letters to protect the paint

[@night_al]

Ended with the same results. I always feared doing it that way would round off the crisp edges of the letters. So I frost it first in a double process. It's how I was taught

[@wermach123]

​@@night_alyou are correct, we whiten first as well why take the risk of rounding out the letters. My family has been in this business since 1870, so we might know a thing or two.

[@rv6av8r]

My dad did all this by hand back in the 50's. I often spent the day with him at work watching/learning. He would make the entire stone; cutting it from a larger block with a wire saw, polishing it by hand, cutting out the design and sandblasting it. Then he'd load it on a truck and we'd drive out to a cemetery where he would set the stone by himself. He was an artist. I'm still impressed.

[@night_al]

That's amazing. True artisan

[@dirtydirt421]

True skill and talent unlike the person who posted this video with their machine doing all the work

[@jamesraymond1158]

In the early 1970s. my brother joined the Job Corps to learn how to carve granite, which is a much harder stone than marble. He went to Barry, Vt, where skilled granite carvers ran a school to teach apprentices to keep the art from dying out. Unlike present carving, which is done with templates and sandblasting, the master carvers did all the lettering by eye using miniature jackhammers. My brother had a ball, making Greek egg-and-dart patterns, small sculptures and a bird bath.

[@davidredden8361]

Nobody gives a single fuck about your retarded brother.

[@pughconsulting]

I had a double headstone done for my parents. It was about $2400, including delivery and setting the stone. I thought it was a steal, all things considered. It was harder to choose the design than anything else.

[@night_al]

Out prices are similar. Thanks for watching!

[@Flap999]

Having overseen tens of thousands of these inscriptions, I can assure everyone that this is difficult detail oriented and exacting work done in many cases, in punishing environments. Nothing but respect for the people that cut these grave markers. 👍🏻

[@night_al]

I totally agree. Thank you for watching!

[@philschlosser6233]

That was amazing...the time and precise cutting, lining up of every aspect of this person's job is outstanding. Knowing where this is about to go, the family relying on every detail for their love one who has passed. A standing ovation for the people that do this job.

[@night_al]

Wow, thank you! Thank you for watching!

[@tkx86]

I found it interesting reading a little about whom this headstone was for: Harold Richard "Butch" Woods, 85 of Arlington passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022 at Blanchard Valley Hospital. He was born in Findlay on August 21, 1936 to the late Harley and Myrtle (Steinman) Woods. He married Virginia L. Goodart and she preceded him in death. On February 12, 1987, he married Shirley E. May-Zechman and she survives. Also surviving are children, Phillip (Marilyn) Woods, Bethann (Tony) Ray, Jim (Janet) Woods, Jason (Chris) Woods, Terri (David) Williams, Kim (Bill) Kennedy and Todd (Amy) Zechman; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Ann Riker and Kathy (Jim) Loy. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Ed, Joe and Bob Woods. Butch retired from Cooper Tire and Rubber and was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes, Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers fan. He also leaves behind his faithful companion "Charlie" (his dog). Butch loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed by them. He had a good innings as us Aussies would say.

[@cnosprandt5155]

Wow! I can imagine it takes quite a while to reach this level of craftsmanship. What a beautiful headstone and tribute to Butch. Nice work!

[@night_al]

Thank you! Being a finish carpenter for 30+ years was a huge help for me, I'll just say that lol. Thank you for watching!

[@Ryvucz]

I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to tombstone engraving, but this wasn't it. Beautifully done.

[@night_al]

Thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@MasterKenfucius]

Great! Now I know exactly what to order one day. RIP Butch.

[@TheTunnellTake]

Wow I've always wondered what was involved in that! Thanks for posting this.

[@night_al]

Thanks for watching!

[@LunkerFishing]

Thank you, I always wondered how they did this on my parents and siblings gravestones. What you do keeps their memories alive for those of us left behind.

[@shyamdevadas6099]

Always impressed to see a skilled craftsman and artisan break down a complex process of creation. Admittedly, the product evokes a bit of uneasiness, but it is nonetheless a vital part of the lifecycle of many of us. I think Mr. Woods and his family would have been comforted and impressed by the thought, skill, and craftsmanship that went into this final testament to his existence. Well done, Al.

[@night_al]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. I take pride in what I do. Thank you for watching

[@Ro6entX]

I knew there was lot of work that is put into headstone preparation but never knew how much until saw this video. Definitely have come long way from the old hammer and chisel days for sure.

[@pjw1016]

My father was in the monument business for forty years last century. I remember watching the guys in the shop do this, most all of them died of lung related issues due to the radioactive granite dust along with smoking filterless camels or lucky strikes. I got to set the finished product in the cemeteries and can appreciate the skill and artistry involved.

[@DennisDolan-fl3mw]

Granite, marble, stone dust can be very dangerous over long term. But it is not radioactive.

[@caroleast9636]

Granite has a high level of radiation,so surely the dust carries some of that ?

[@vivianlawrence778]

Very interesting. I will never look at a headstone the same again! P. S. Ignore hateful comments. People like that don't realize ... "It's better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Blessings 💙💜

[@night_al]

Thank you for watching! And you are right, I should let fools just be fools. Occasionally, it just rubs me the wrong way and I have to comment. As a youngster, I learned to stand up to bullies. Old habits die hard.

[@vivianlawrence778]

@@night_al You did nothing wrong by replying to them; I just wanted you to know that their opinion doesn't matter. One can make a comment, but if it's going to be rude and hateful, then they need to learn to just keep it to themselves. I have no time for rude people. There's too much hate in this world to lower ones self to being a part of the problem. God bless you sir. 🙏🏼

[@jacklandismcgowan1413]

Thanks for sharing this. Yesterday I received pictures of my Dad’s headstone from the Funeral home. I was wondering how they did the engraving. My Father missed his 94th birthday by 20 minutes. RIP Dad miss you

[@jacklandismcgowan1413]

RIP Mr.Woods

[@BillyBoulder]

Where I agree that the cost of interment is unrealistically high (at least in the US) I do appreciate a place to go and connect or reconnect with family and loved ones. No matter what your beliefs are about an afterlife the memory of someone gone is powerful, sometimes healing and often strengthening. I for one have traveled across the US seeking information on my ancestors, finding much satisfaction on headstones dating back to the early 1700’s. I’ve ’connected’ with 2nd and 3rd grate grandparents from the Ozark’s, pre Revaluation Virginia farmers and early Oregon pioneers. This has given me a better understanding of who I am and the history that brought me here. My father was cremated and placed at his special spot but there is no ‘sign’ that he existed. Only in the memory of us his children and maybe a few of his grandchildren. In a 100 years what will be remembered? Again, I agree that the current burial traditions are too costly in both $$ and space. I don’t know the answer but we need someway to help honor and remember our families for generations to come.

[@kode4420]

You sound like a very respectable man. Not many preserve or value their ancestors these days. I agree it's very costly. I personally plan to be cremated do to the high cost and the fact most funeral homes do shady stuff with plots after however many years. I'd rather my kids spend what I leave them on their children's future and enjoying life. Also shout-out to the Ozarks. I'm from Missouri.

[@wthomas5697]

Who cares? Remembering long dead people is a waste of time and energy. Pay attention to those around you right now.

[@DL101ca]

True...a name on a rock that nobody knows or remembers will not respect the memory of anyone.

[@BillyBoulder]

@@wthomas5697 give it time and you will. I have spent many quality hours with those around me (the living) learning about ancestors. It’s a favorite for my children, now grown and raising the next generation. It’s something that brings families together. What a joy it is to have a grandchild ask me, with a recorder in hand, about how I met grandma. Or get emails from young family members with a list of questions about the ‘good old days’. My wife and I have worked with 100’s of university students on how to learn about their ancestors. Never have I been disappointed as a student learns some details about some ‘long dead’ ancestor. Such as the young man struggling with his business classes thinking maybe it was a waste. He discovered (1910 census) his great grandfather was struggling as a young man trying to start a trucking business then 10 years later (1920 census) he had a wife and 2 children owned a successful business, a nice home. My young friend went away with a new confidence and feeling he to could succeed.

[@BillyBoulder]

@@DL101ca From that name on a rock a lot can be learned… with a little effort. It shows they existed at a time and place, and if it’s your ancestor they’ve influenced who you are.

[@randywineinger779]

40 years ago I cut the stencils by hand. When plotter/cutters came out that made things faster. Use the tools available.

[@medwed90]

Да и пескоструйные аппараты с тех пор не просто компрессор и сопло, а полноценный закрытый аппарат. Надеваешь встроенные перчатки, респиратор, смотришь через окошко и работаешь. И не нужно бояться за своё тело и легкие

[@Eduardo-uo7qs]

Great work, a masterpiece for all time. Congratulations! Our Mother passed away on December 12, 2023 and I received the video right away. Rio-Brazil.

[@night_al]

My mother also passed this year. February 8th. I'm so sorry for your loss

[@jasonberg6550]

Thank you “Butch”, for helping inspire a great video

[@andrewtetley3883]

Thanks for the insight on how headstones are produced I enjoyed watching this!!😊😊😊

[@night_al]

Thank you for watching!

[@hefeydd_]

In a business that makes headstones and engraved them, you'll never be short of business.

[@night_al]

Job security

[@ThisIsMyRealName]

I had no idea, thanks for uploading and showing a behind the scenes look at it 👍

[@night_al]

Absolutely! You're welcome and thanks for watching!

[@TheDevilockedzombie]

No wonder it takes 6 weeks or more to get one made. Its just one dude doing all the work.

[@night_al]

That's truth.

[@theageofisgone]

Amazing! I never could have realized without watching this how much work is actually involved in making one!

[@night_al]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@ZombifiedWatermelon]

To people here commenting on the method: Granite is granite. The method used to create the lettering doesn't matter, it will last hundreds (thousands?) of years, just like the Pyramids. Most old tombstones were made of softer Marble or Soapstone because of the cost/labor of sculpting such a hard material, that's why you often see old tombstones that are wore away.

[@williambrandondavis6897]

The pyramids are made from limestone.

[@ZombifiedWatermelon]

The outer decorative layer (which is almost all gone, proving my point) was made of Limestone. When built the Pyramids were smoothly sloped with polished sides, probably coovered in Hyroglyphics. Only the Granite core survived 3,000 years.

[@jamespinckard4210]

I had no idea it was such an ordeal to do this. Pretty amazing.

[@night_al]

Thanks for watching!

[@4n6psych]

Thanks for putting this up, I have always wondered how it was done.

[@night_al]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@kode4420]

My grandfather's headstone was hand engraved by a great guy. I didn't realize this method was available. Cool to see. RIP Butch. You guys paid him respect. 👍

[@night_al]

Thank you so much!

[@localcrew]

I wish that all craftsmen were as thorough as this gentleman. It’s nice watching someone who knows what he’s doing.

[@night_al]

Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate it

[@reciprocating]

There are a lot of "experts" posting on here. Instead of saying what you think is better just accept that this was done very well.. RIP Butch..

[@night_al]

Thank you. And thanks for watching!

[@DennisDolan-fl3mw]

I consider myself an expert. With more than 20 years experience. I was featured in Stone magazine, featured in the American Institute of Commemorative Art and studied design with some of the masters, Burt Gast, Ray Mazolaskis, Gene Faehnle.

[@mikekelly9851]

What a craftsman and what a craft. This is one job that's pretty much has job security category.

[@night_al]

Thank you for watching!

[@davesstuff1599]

I had wondered how this was done for so many years and now finally saw how. Nice detailed process.

[@night_al]

Thank you for watching!

[@tzebra]

Excellent craftsmanship. Thanks for the glimpse behind the scenes.

[@BaritoneFinwiggler]

RIP Butch 🫡

[@anonymous-hz2un]

He'll never live to see Dune Part 2 😢😢

[@cobblerama]

You make it look easy but I can tell many years of experience just to lay the protective film so quickly and precisely. I imagine a big fear is not getting those hauling straps on far enough and the stone slipping out while moving.🫣 Great video and nicer work!

[@night_al]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching! I had a stone slip... it was my error and I had to buy a new one. No more slips since lol

[@rickblue2977]

My wife & I very recently had our stone made & set. I knew the process used STENCILS & SANDBLASTING, but I had no idea HOW MANY STEPS were involved. WOW!

[@night_al]

Thanks for watching!

[@OlinBryan]

Great to see a craft master.

[@kokomo9764]

It seems to me that there are many ways to more fully automate this process. A CNC machine would greatly reduce the labor required. They did a good job. Butch would be proud!

[@night_al]

Thank you

[@mathbrown9099]

I made markers and earned my way to a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA. I’ll never forget the kindness of the owner, his son and the book keeper. They were super nice human-beings! I owe them a great debt. Which I no longer owe. I am now retired, having eventually become a High School principal. I will see my former boss again some day in Heaven. God rest you in peace, Don.

[@night_al]

That's an amazing memory. Thank you for sharing! I only wish I could say the same for the company I worked for. Apparently the years of knowledge I acquired was expendable over their favoritism. I have no ill will regardless. It was an awesome experience nonetheless. Thank you for watching!

[@cmsweitzer1]

Cool process, thanks for the upload. People just suck these days, too many comments on here bitching and moaning. You provided a service for the family of the deceased and uploaded an interesting video and all these keyboard warriors are complaining. Why not just either be thankful for the upload or just move on. Everyone is so quick to condemn and slander. Manors and etiquette are out the window. Appreciate the work and you sharing the process.

[@night_al]

Absolutely welcome and thank you for watching!

[@genericallyawesome8894]

Beautiful craftsmanship!

[@night_al]

Thank you!

[@johnburton7633]

What a fascinating process to watch. It is beautiful to watch a super skilled craftsman/woman putting their skills to work and for us to witness it. This guy would have my custom no problem. Hope i don't need it soon though. 🙏

[@night_al]

I hope so as well. Thank you for the kind words and thanks for watching!

[@Drew791]

Spookiest type of engraving there is. It’s literally enGRAVEing!

[@paulajohnston2990]

😂😂😂

[@user-yd7th2uf7z]

This was fascinating and also a nice tribute to Mr. Woods.

[@night_al]

Thank you for watching!

[@colleenpenny6304]

I will never complain about my pond water after seeing all the dirt and mud that flew into your ponds with that nasty storm. What a headache. My ponds are not the clearest either right now,, even with my UV light it's still not clear. We have had lots of rain, so maybe that's why. Not sure, but trying my best to beat my greenish water. At least you are safe and house is still standing. Good update and love to watch your videos.

[@edwardbelcher8612]

My dad worked at a local monument company for years engraving and setting stones. I have watched this being done many times growing up.

[@nickyl9040]

Can you imagine how much effort must go into hand-carving two 6' angels?

[@bonante2004]

I think that is fine with cnc tooling or they are casted from a mould

[@vickikay54]

Still a huge amount of work involved.👍👍

[@haramanggapuja]

Though it’s likely my grave’ll get a military/veteran marker, it would be nice to know that whatever runic inscription my family ends up marking my last site on earth will be made with as much care & attention to detail as these guys show. Nice job.

[@night_al]

Thank you!

[@jvillebil13]

Wow what timing to have this pop up on my KZbin. My wife and I bought burial plots a few months ago and are going tomorrow to look at headstones. That was great seeing this.

[@night_al]

Thanks for watching!

[@seth_stewart]

RIP Butch

[@occamraiser]

Wow, you have to wonder how much that cost - even though the engraving is so shallow. Being British I regularly see churchyards with 200-300 even 400 year old headstones that are still legible I doubt that a bit if sandblasting to write someone's name and then painting it black will stand the test of time, sadly.

[@night_al]

Depends on the size of the letter. And of course the paint will fade after many years

[@Josefgeobels]

Not what I was expecting but very interesting to see how it's done. What a lovely looking stone

[@night_al]

Thanks for watching!

[@Josefgeobels]

@@night_al was very interesting keep them coming

[@Yodie208]

It is amazing that the granite is cut to depth with just 1 1/2 passes of the nozzle. What type of blasting medium is used? It really came out looking awesome! I am sure the Woods family was pleased not only with the headstone but also how it was made.

[@night_al]

It was way more passes than that. I edited it for time. 8 or 9 actually. And thank you and thanks for watching!

[@wannyk6774]

Of all the things I've wondered about, I've never wondered how a headstone was made. Stumbled upon this by accident. There is a lot more to it than I would have guessed.

[@night_al]

Thank you for watching!

[@Gary-ry4zj]

Fascinating. I didn’t realize there were so many different steps in engraving a headstone. Great job.

[@night_al]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@DelTangBrav]

Perhaps one of the most important steps (not mentioned) is checking the spelling VERY CAREFULLY before starting to engrave.😊😊😊

[@karlsmith5565]

I never realised the skill and number of processes required to create such a piece. True craftsmanship, and fitting memorial . So interesting.

[@night_al]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching!

[@alhodge4051]

no idea that it took that much work, well done.

[@Skinnamarink.]

WTF do you mean by THAT much work? this is extremely easy and is basically NO work.. Tell me youre a zoomer thats never worked before without telling me youre a zoomer whos never worked before.

[@night_al]

I hope so! 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@craigmad-doganderson9042]

I had absolutely no idea how time consuming and precise this process was. A brilliant look at a real master craftsman at work!

[@night_al]

I appreciate the kind words! Thank you for watching!

[@craigmad-doganderson9042]

@@night_al No problems Al. I genuinely didn't know how much work went into the creation of a headstone. You've helped to educate an 'ignorant' LOL. Keep up the amazing work!

[@fewhite5126]

Butch is buried an hour north of me. For some reason I have a desire stop and pay my respects if in the area after watching this. Seems a good guy from his obit. Nice work.

[@night_al]

Thank you and thanks for watching

[@deepwoodguy2]

Some of My wife's family worked at the Rock of Ages granite quarries in Vermont... thanks for the demo of how the printing works.... 👍👍

[@night_al]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnkozero6842]

You do excellent work Sr thanks for the video

[@night_al]

Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching!

[@pksracing]

I had no idea that etching a headstone took so much time. I also found this very interesting; great attention to detail. Thanks for sharing.

[@night_al]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching

[@Rottingboards]

Thanks that was interesting. All my family want headstones but not me. I hated mowing and trimming grass while I am alive...I don't want someone else to do it around my headstone. Throw me into the sea for me! Great job on this stone and helping families have somewhere to grieve.

[@markwoten6679]

Cool!!! I’ve never seen that process in my sixty years on earth. Great Job!!!

[@night_al]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@tomweickmann6414]

You'll never run out of work. And your last customer will be you.

[@harryl7946]

And that order will forever be ‘in process’. 😢

[@JakeAikens]

To everyone who knew Butch Woods I’m sorry for your loss. Had a headstone mad for my mom last November. Interesting to see the process. Somehow another step of closure. Good video.

[@night_al]

Thank you and thanks for watching

[@howcork]

my first job after graduating from college in 1969 was working for a monument company - the techniques are exactly the same in this video that we used then

[@anthonymiller8979]

Same here LOL, I did this work back in the late 1970s, same techniques although we never painted in the letters and relied on blasting to the correct depth so the bottom sort of channeled out and caught a good shadow to make them stand out. I also did totally hand cut lettering on marble and Indiana limestone, hammer and chisel, no sandblasting. Still have my tools, all handed down to me from the "old timers".

[@howcork]

our stone-cutter did it both ways - I remember the rubber mat glued on the face of the marker and plastic letters / numbers that were pressed into the mat and then cut out with an x-cto knife before sand-blasting ......he did some hand work on fancy scrolls and flower designs - the guy was a real artist to watch .....the best part was setting markers in a cemetery , with a hand-cart pushing the base and top stones hundreds of feet into place and setting the pieces without chipping an edge .......oh, and hand-mixing concrete for the foundation and wheel-barrowing a full load or two or three of mix across uneven ground to pour ...........a real character builder for $1.75 an hour !

[@akilla214u2c]

Wow... I never knew the process was this elaborate. Good work as the stone need to last for centuries...

[@night_al]

Thank you for watching!

[@mcmneverreadsreplys7318]

I was almost shocked. Not only did he did not use stencils for the lettering but there were also no straight edges to level the work. Very impressive and skilled lettering work.

[@night_al]

I appreciate the compliment but the letters were in fact already cut into the stencil.

[@MrThemold]

People would die for this amazing service!

[@rickvann3489]

Glad to see such great meticulous care in honoring the deceased.

[@suespony]

Wow, a lot of work goes into one of these, now I understand why they are so expensive.

[@rogerwachal3718]

very cool I had no idea what went into making this. Awesome job,I'm going to watch the slow down version next.

[@night_al]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@donnachurm3940]

Wow! I had no idea that so much work went into making a tombstone. No wonder it cost a fortune, I now know and appreciate you guys work. Thanks for sharing. March/2024

[@night_al]

It is definitely a lengthy and laborious process. Thanks for watching!

[@donnachurm3940]

Wow! Thank for replying to my msg. Throughly enjoyed watching. I shared this on my Facebook, so we ppl can appreciate and understand why the cost is, what it is! Thanks posting!👏

[@night_al]

@@donnachurm3940, I appreciate you sharing! Thank you so much!

[@Thunderontheroad]

I have wondered how they were made now I know thank you for sharing

[@night_al]

Very welcome and thank you for watching!

[@MondoMiami]

It’s amazing how quickly they work. I can’t move my arms anything near that speed.

[@night_al]

😅

[@U2WB]

😂😂

[@Guvna07]

Butch would be proud of his headstone. RIP

[@night_al]

Thank you and thanks for watching!