The Stone Carver’s Apprentice: How CNC Technology Is Shaping the Future of Monument Craft

In Season 2, Episode 2 of Monument Matters, Ross Oglesby of Keystone Memorials and Dan Weeres of Coldspring discuss how CNC technology is reshaping the monument industry. They share real-world experiences—from early machine failures to five-axis sculpture work—and explain how digital modeling improves accuracy, safety and customer expectations. While CNC machines excel at stock removal and precision moldings, both emphasize that skilled craftsmen remain essential for finishing and artistic detail. The conversation highlights how technology serves as an “apprentice,” removing heavy lifting while allowing sculptors to focus on proportion, refinement and artistry. Chapters (00:00:00) - Monument Matters(00:01:07) - CNC Tech with Ross Oglesby and Dan Weirs(00:01:46) - CNC Machine in Monument Work(00:03:36) - Tool Crashes(00:06:02) - Learning Curve of CNC Metal Cutting(00:10:30) - CNC Metal Work(00:14:21) - What Made The Machine So Cool?(00:15:30) - CNC bench making: Dan and Ross(00:16:33) - Who's the CNC Operator?(00:17:32) - CNC Metal Sculptors(00:21:04) - CNC Machine Changes the Work Environment(00:23:07) - The Machine for Sculptors(00:24:14) - Sandblaster: CNC vs. Sandblaster(00:27:10) - Hand Etching on Stone(00:29:18) - 3-D Mausoleum Modeling(00:31:37) - Monument Matters