[sandim]

Doing our first bluestone inlay (very excited!) and it's for a pretty sizeable stoop. Designed the pattern and are cutting and dry-fitting the pieces to ensure everything fits as planned.
Obviously the thickness ranges here from 1" to almost 3". When setting the mortar bed, how do we get it so that the stones are all level with each other, but it still has the proper pitch? Where should we start the mortar? I have included a pic.

Be gentle, it's our first time.

[natural12]

That looks very cool. Not quite sure what you are asking because it seems very basic. I would start at the house and lay your stone along the front of the house then work your way to the front with a slight pitch. Use your level for this.

Add more mortar for the thinner stones. Because you are laying the stones in mortar it should be easy to make them level.

hope this helps:

[Fine Edge]

Do you have any experienced masons on your crew?

[Lanelle]

Do you have any steps?
If so, making certain that all rise heights are the same would also be a consideration.

[mybigdog1]

we usually set perimeter first to height then fill in. suggest using a bonding agent also

[sandim]

Good points all around and what you said makes perfect sense Natural. Same thing we do w/ the stone dust. Don't know why that didn't occur to me earlier.
Thanks much for the pointers, I'll send pics when it's done.

[sandim]

Good points all around and what you said makes perfect sense Natural. Same thing we do w/ the stone dust. Don't know why that didn't occur to me earlier. Same process, I just second guessed myself b/c it's a different material.
Thanks much for the pointers, I'll send pics when it's done.
FineEdge, we don't have a lot of masonry experience, but we want to learn, and as always, we're interested in doing it right. That's why I figured I'd post here. There's a lot of talent and experience here and it's greatly appreciated that you all share your knowledge!