Putting marble pedestal back in one piece again

Q. How do we bond together a marble pedestal, the round column having come loose from its base and top? Mona M. Gilson, San Jose, Calif.

A. Our marble consultant would line up the pieces side by side. Using a power saw with a masonry blade, he'd cut grooves perhaps a quarter of an inch deep in the two marble faces.

Make the cuts line up with each other on the adjoining faces. If the marble is six inches in diameter, make about three grooves.

Now generously apply epoxy to the two surfaces. Plant them together. The epoxy will squeeze into the grooves giving extra ''tooth'' to the lamination. Of course, promptly wipe off any visible epoxy at the junction. Let dry.

Behold the newly coupled marble pedestal.