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Cramps
- metal pins used to hold stones together.
Slate is sometimes used for the same purpose.
There are two common shapes, a bar with a right angle at each end, or a double dovetail.
Traditionally iron was used, and it was usually clothed in
lead, a practice used by the Greeks,
but when unprotected, it rusts and expands and can fracture stonework. Now, a non ferrous metal
should always be specified. If it is possible to remove iron cramps without causing damage,
this should be done. see joggle