
V. FONTANA & CO.
FINE GRANITE AND MARBLE PRODUCTS SINCE 1921

Manufacturing at our factory
We order blocks of granite from quarries around the world. We carve each block into works that are commissioned by our customers.
The contour wire saw machine, a highly specialized piece of equipment, is used to cut these blocks. The saw is one of the fewest types that exist in the country. In addition to sawing curved and special cuts, it is also capable of slicing multi-ton blocks of granite into various thicknesses from 1-1/4" on up.

This thickness allows for a polishing technique that has been performed in our factory for the past 80 years. We apply tinoxide to a manually operated buffing wheel which allows heat to build and seal the beauty of each stone permanently.


A highly specialized piece of equipment, capable of cutting granite or any other type of rock found in nature up to 5 feet in height and 12 feet in length. Among the saw's capabilities are cutting actual shapes.
This method of cutting is a double strand of special wire, 3/16" thick that is fed in a mixture of synthetic grit. This grit is run over the wire using water. The grit, being pulled into stone by wire, does the actual cutting, providing a natural cut surface, which then can be sandblasted, honed, polished, or left as is. The saw is one of the fewest types that exists in the country. In addition to sawing curved and special cuts, it is also capable of slicing multi-ton blocks of granite into various thicknesses from 1-1/4" on up.
Wire Saw
Diamond Saw
The diamond saw is a specially designed unit for V. Fontana & Co. It is capable of cutting any natural substance up to 14 feet in length. It is responsible for some of the most exacting cuts. Spinning at over 7000 RPM per minute, diamond encrusted blades cut granite pieces to exact lengths and widths. Some of the other material which used for are quartz, onyx, cement casings, marble, jaspar, slate, etc. Capable of cutting these materials up to 10” in depth. It compliments our contour and wire saw by providing finishing and cuts.
Polishing

Resurfacing

We are also capable of resurfacing monuments using our Top End Polisher. This process involves removing a thin layer of the surface of the material to eliminate all engraving. Typically, the monument would then be re-polished and re-engraved. This is a cost effective way to accommodate additional names on a monument.
The Surface Lane Polisher pictured here provides any kind of finish on granite or natural stone, from coarse to superfine or polish. Typically the process follows these steps: a large piece of natural stone or individual stones (in this case it's a combination of a ten-foot slab of grantie with seven additional smaller granite stones) are placed in a special surfacing bed and made level. A concentric cast iron wheel is then run over the surface and fed a mixture of synthetic abrasive grit. Starting from an 80 grit consistency and finishing with an 800 grit, the stone then has a true honed surface. So precise is this procedure that it's used for the manufacturing of surface plates for departments such as the Lawrence Livermore Lab and other Silicon Valley engineering firms. The cast iron wheel is then replaced with a 36" buffing wheel. Under high speed operations and with the application of a tin oxide compound, the granite is then heated up. As the granite gets hot, the composition of its grains naturally seal, changing its physical characteristics to that of a high polished surface. This is the hightest luster polish and most durable, which can be applied to granite or natural stone.
Polish plates
The Compressor


Made in 1917. This piece of machinery is called the compressor. It provides air to all banks operating pneumatic tools and providing air to the sand blasting room (where all engraving takes place).

Restoration
Hand Tools
Sculpting and shaping chisels of Valerio Fontana that are still used today when duplicating old hand-crafted memorials.
V. Fontana & Co. reconditions and restores granite and marble memorials in cemeteries as well as dedication stones in public areas.
Our restoration process restores monuments and dedication stones as close as possible to their original condition and appearance, preserving them for years to come.
