Blocklaying tools

Following is essential masonry equipment for laying brick , along with the purposes of each tool. It is the fundamental tool for brick masons, available in different sizes for certain tasks pertaining to mortar application.

The corner pole is used as vertical support for the line block, which has a twine that designates the appropriate placement for each brick in a course. The corner pole may be clamped to frames, or pinned between blocks to keep it upright and in position.

The line block is a wooden device that stores a line twine , which is able to catch on the edges of the structure. Two are used at the ends of a line, with twine wrapping around them, and they are attached to the edges of walls or to corner posts, and their line is wound tight and stretched horizontally, marking the top corners of the bricks that are to be laid in a given course.

Levels of various sizes are used for certain masonry activities. Four-foot levels are used to make sure that courses are flush and even, or to stand corner poles vertically.

Two-foot levels can be used to perfect a few freshly laid brick, and torpedo levels are used to make sure an individual brick is a level and flush with those adjacent to it at its ends.

Wall ties are items that are placed in block or brick walls that are meant to connect to outer walls built in front of them, to keep the outer walls even and stable. When the block or first brick is laid, wall ties are placed in the bed joints every few courses, and then they are extended forward, into the mortar joints of the outer wall built in front of the original. One of the most popular masonry trowel types is the brick trowel.

With a pointed nose and blade, it is designed to spread the mortar. You might mistake a pointing trowel for a brick trowel. Both tools look similar. But a pointing trowel is smaller.

It can easily get into tight corners of the base. This rectangular shaped tool is used in flattening down floors and walls before placing tiles or marble. This is a tool that has a curved end. The finishing trowel is equally important. Rectangular and long with a straight and angled blade, it is utilized in smoothing mortar or concrete on the upper layer. Arguably the most popular carpentry tool, it is used in breaking large bricks and concrete.

It is also heavier compared to trowels. Like trowels, hammers have different types. The brick hammer, for example, is small with a pointed blade. It is flat from one side. You can use this in cutting down small edges of bricks or stones. Also called a masonry hammer, it often has a rubber grip to absorb vibrations while allowing the user to maintain control.

The rim, meanwhile, is treated with heat to minimize chipping and cracking. It is lightweight but durable. The claw hammer, as its name indicates, has one side curved opposite its head. It is often associated with woodworking but can also be used in masonry works.

This is the hammer type for pulling nails off from any surface. You can also use the other side for hitting nails. The sledgehammer is built for demolition works.

This hammer has a large and flat head that is attached to a long handle. It can distribute force over a large area, a trait it shares with the mallet. As such, it is ideal for purposes like breaking through masonry walls. It is used in hammering masonry nails or aiding in the cutting of stone. Think of it as a small sledgehammer. This tool is likely familiar to you, with its broad blade and curved tip. And like the hammer and trowel, a shovel comes in various types. The most versatile of shovel designs is the digging shovel.

A spade is a tool that people often associate with gardening tasks and not masonry works. With a digging spade, you can cut down into the ground at a more efficient rate. This versatile tool can also be used in preparing trenches for walls and other structures to be built. Many people also confuse a shovel for a digging spade. The key difference between the two tools is that the spade is for digging, while a shovel is for scooping material. Also, a digging spade has a rectangular blade or head at its end.

The best digging spades have a blade made from steel for extra strength and durability. Finally, look for a digging spade with a well-designed handle for a comfortable grip and use. A chisel is a versatile tool for cutting and shaping hard materials like stone and mortar. And just like the other bricklaying tools, there are certain types of chisel that you can use for masonry work. Foremost of these chisel types for bricklaying is the brick chisel.

The Bolster is a type of chisel that is used to cut bricks and blocks, With a few strikes with the lump hammer to the bolster, you can cut brickwork, but to cut blockwork, you will need to circulate block marking around the block square with the bolster and breaking from the top. The jointer is used to strike the mortar and cement and finish the brick or blockwork.

It leaves a barrel jointed finish that you see in brickwork. The Bricklayers line is used to run from one corner of the brickwork to the other and used for each course as a reference line and guide to build to, so the brickwork is plumb and level. The brick line is one of the earliest tools used by man. The ancient Egyptians were known to use them in the construction of the Pyramids.

Whereas the Egyptians would have used simple cotton twine, with 20th Century developments, most brick lines are now made from artificial fibres. Corner blocks are used to keep the bricklayers line securely in place and grip the corner so the reference line and guide is tight and the bricks can be laid to the line.

A good bricklayers tape measure is needed when building brickwork and masonry structures. Some bricklayers like to work with a Gauge Rod. A gauge rod can save time as everybody can work from the exact measurements. You can make a gauge rod by cutting grooves in a length of wood mm and marking in increments of 75mm for standard brickwork. When building to specification and building from a drawing, an excellent 8-metre tape is needed so you can measure and set out correctly.

Many bricklayers today use profiles for brickwork, and they mark the gauge on the profiles in increments of 75 mm for standard brickwork, so you know where to lift the line and so you know your walling to gauge. A specialist bricklayers tape has bricklayers markings set on the tape that allows a bricklayer to easily measure the gauge and calculate brick and block quantities effortlessly.

It makes it easier to measure wall length, and it has to mark for bricks and blocks length and bricks and blocks height, leaving no need to dry bond brickwork. The Bricklayers Specialist tape measure is beneficial for the apprentice bricklayer that is not familiar with measurements. Bricklayers brushes are used for mainly brushing brickwork down and masonry. Many bricklayers use a natural cocoa fibre brush, and it is used for brushing down brick and blockwork when dry and used for cleaning tools.

There are several different types of chisel that bricklayers use that become part of their tool kit. Chisels are used for demolition work and used for various jobs ranging from removing bricks and replacing them to more specialist jobs like shaping stone and masonry.

The Bricklayers Spot Board is used to carry mortar, and it is also called a mortarboard. The mortar board can be made of anything and was always made of wood like old flooring board or chipboard.

There are now spot boards specially designed to last and have become a good accessory for any bricklayer and mason. Bricklayers profiles save time and make you a lot of money when used correctly. When a bricklayer has set up a few courses from the foundation, you can set up a profile that you can use as a corner profile and attach your corner blocks and line. You can then run in your brickwork to the line, so there is no need to build two corners.