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Author Topic: Bricklaying....  (Read 273 times)

Offline Otto

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Bricklaying....
« on: May 06, 2004, 11:31:28 AM »
Don't do it!!!!  

   I just finished my first brick wall in my garden.  Read a 'how-to' book.  Dug a trench.  Filled it with gravel.  Built forms.  Poured concrete footer.  Mixed mortar and built the wall.   It looks OK from the sidewalk but you don't want to get too close.  

  More important, I can't straighten my back....!

  Whatever a Mason asks, pay him...
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Offline rpm

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Bricklaying....
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2004, 11:47:24 AM »
Brick is easy, try laying stone. Everyone around here is using Austin Stone like it's gold or something. The new "fashion" in home construction. I helped my Bro-In-Law put up a 1/2 wall facade around his house. Never again!
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Offline Sixpence

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Bricklaying....
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2004, 12:16:20 PM »
Yeah, the hardest part learning it for me was scooping up mortar on the jointer. Once you get that down it isn't too bad. If you make a mess off your brick with the mortar you can clean it up with some acid.
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Offline lazs2

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Bricklaying....
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2004, 12:57:15 PM »
My dad and brother were plastering contractors... On occassion I would carry hod for them... you really want to avoid that.

you could usually get a new young guy in good physical condition to quit by noon... great fun.

lazs
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Offline AcId

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Bricklaying....
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2004, 01:01:23 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Sixpence
Yeah, the hardest part learning it for me was scooping up mortar on the jointer. Once you get that down it isn't too bad. If you make a mess off your brick with the mortar you can clean it up with some acid.


Don't you dare volunteer me to clean up your shotty brickwork.
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storch

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Bricklaying....
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2004, 01:04:13 PM »
It's an artform, it truly is.  The best guy I've ever seen is an Italian Mr. Tony Ruggiano who at 60+ probably still whacks out a thousand in a workday.
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Offline Otto

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Bricklaying....
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2004, 02:31:02 PM »
My problem is having no Italian blood.  I kept thinking about the time Homer Simpson tried to build the outdoor Barbecue :)

  Thanks for the tip about the acid (no offense AcId) I've been using a wire brush and that's working pretty well.
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Offline Lizking

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Bricklaying....
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2004, 02:41:09 PM »
The main thing to do while laying brick is to leave the mortar alone!  Once you lay the brick, do not try and clean excess mortar off right away, you just smear it.  Let it dry for an hour or so, then it will "flake" off and not smear.  That is the main error I see from rookies, anyway.
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Offline midnight Target

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Bricklaying....
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2004, 04:32:47 PM »
Just had a 40' long 6' high block wall built in my back yard... No way I was gonna kill myself.
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