According to the participants in this Stone World roundtable discussion, investment in machinery - along with its use by skilled personnel - define the modern-day fabricating shop. With the addition of new and sophisticated equipment, stoneworking is made more efficient and production is increased.
As a result of the cost and importance of a shop's machinery, many fabricators spend time researching equipment before deciding on a major purchase. A machine's stability and reliability may be evaluated, its reputation determined, and research may even be conducted via the Internet by some fabricators prior to buying.