What tools did a mason use in medieval times?

Answer 1

A medieval Mason's tools were of iron, wood and stone.

Saws and broad chisels of iron were used to cut and shape stone blocks according to plans drawn by the master mason and architect. These would be smoothed on the outer face with an abrasive stone until they were perfectly flat, then polished with a fine abrasive stone.

A pair of wooden compasses would be used to mark out curves (for example for the stones used in a pillar) and charcoal marked the block to be cut.

When shaping a large block of stone the chisel would be struck with a large wooden hammer called a maul or mallet.

In order to check that walls were vertical a plumb line was used - this was a simple linen string with a lead weight at the end, which will always hang vertically.

In walls the stone blocks would be cemented together with lime mortar, applied with a metal trowel. The larger blocks might also be joined with iron or wooden rods called dowels fitted into small holes drilled for this purpose; the blocks could not then move relative to each other.

Answer 2

In medieval times, a mason would typically use tools such as a chisel, mallet, hammer, trowel, and plumb line. The chisel and mallet were used to shape and carve stones, while the hammer was used for breaking or roughening surfaces. The trowel was used for spreading mortar and the plumb line was used to ensure vertical alignment in construction.