Masonry
Masonry has been around for thousands of years and has been known as one of the most durable techniques in construction. For many, it is a hard skill to master and requires a lot of strength hence why some find it hard to do especially at home.
Masonry is a method in construction that uses structures from individual units such as stones and bricks to hard tasks to do especially when you`re not familiar with this kind of technique. However, Though it may seem hard to accomplish, it can be satisfying and creative once the job is done.
Also, masonry tools and materials are affordable, simple, and easy to use and understand. Some of the common items often used are limestones and crushed stones. Do-it-Yourself masonry is often used to fix or remodel walls, fireplaces, or any area that has brick or stone. Below is a guide about basic masonry tools.
Must-Have Basic Masonry Tools
If you’re doing masonry, you should know some of the basic tools to easily use it and master the method. Here are some of the tools that you should consider to use and own:
Margin Trowel
A margin trowel is usually used for remodelling jobs such as laying out tiles, hardwood flooring, countertops and spreading concrete. It is characterized by a long, flat-nosed trowel that is used to heap mortar on stone and spread it.
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Margin Trowels is an essential tool for every home builder as it used for detailed jobs such as touch ups and small areas. It is often used with stone veneers to prevent spillage.
Cold Chisel
A cold chisel is characterized by a flat, wide head that is specifically designed for slicing veneer stone and bricks in half by hitting it with a hammer. It also has many uses such as removing a brick from a concrete wall and chipping excess mortar. It usually has a plastic handle to help absorb the shock coming from the hammer.
V- or Square-Notch Trowel
The V- or Square-Notch Trowel is the most used tool in masonry works. It is large in size and has two straight sides with another two notched sides. Its notches can either be shaped as square or V shaped wherein it acts as a measurement for dispensing mortar on a flat surface.
The reason behind this is because it can be really tough or nearly impossible to disperse mortar evenly using the flat edge of the trowel. kSo when you press the trowel`s notches flat against any surface, the mortar will extrude from the notches evenly.
Wire Brush
A wire brush may look simple but it is an indispensable tool that is used to brush away concrete crumbs or rock chips that gather in your work area. For instance, Chipping to open a crack will leave residues on your work area. By using a wire brush and a shop vacuum, it will easily remove any particles that was left by your previous work technique.
Brick Hammer or Mason`s Hammer
A brick hammer is far different from a carpenter`s hammer so don`t make the mistake of using one when you do masonry work as you would ruin a perfectly good carpenter`s hammer.
Brick hammers are designed with a blunt side that is used for chopping stones or bricks in half by hitting it with a quick blow. Meanwhile, the other side is smaller in size and is used to score lines for more precise breaks.
Masonry Materials to Buy
Below are masonry materials that you may need you purchase prior to starting your project. Make sure to use it as some materials are subject to damage when stored for a long period of time. Here are some below:
Portland Cement
Portland Cement is the basic ingredient used for mortar, concrete, and stucco. It is the most common type of cement that is used for various types of construction, repairing, and remodelling.
Veneer Mortar
Veneer Mortar is a type of mortar that is consist of enriched polymers that helps in sticking veneer masonry units to vertical surfaces. It can be quite expensive to use so make sure to use it to manufactured veneer stones.
Aggregate
An aggregate is a material that is consist of sand, gravel, crushed stone, and many more. It is usually used for construction.