The Importance of a Mason's Tool Kit: A Comprehensive Guide
As Mark mentioned, having a well-stocked tool kit is essential for any homeowner who wants to tackle small jobs around the house. In this article, we'll delve into the details of a typical Mason's tool kit, highlighting the various tools and materials that are necessary for measuring, cutting, and applying masonry materials.
Measuring with Torpedo Level
When it comes to measuring, a torpedo level is an essential tool for any Mason. As Mark demonstrated, this tool provides a bright line that can help get a straight measurement from A to B. The level also allows the user to check for any deviations in the surface and make adjustments accordingly.
Using Hammer and Chisels
A well-worn hammer is a staple in any Mason's tool kit. This particular hammer has a nice edge on it, making it perfect for cutting bricks or stones. As Mark showed, different chisels are used for various masonry joints, and the size of the chisel varies depending on the specific joint being worked on.
Orange Protector and Safety
Safety is a top priority when working with masonry materials. The orange protector is an essential tool that helps prevent injuries from flying debris or sharp edges. This tool is especially important when demoing or cleaning up around the work site.
Application Tools
Once the cement has been applied, the Mason needs tools to smooth out the surface and apply a finish coat. Mark demonstrated the use of a finish triel, which is used to repair concrete work around the house, such as patios or walkways. The tool also comes in handy for step repairs and stone wall repairs.
Jointer and Slicker
A jointer is a simple yet effective tool that helps smooth out mortar joints. As Mark showed, the end edge of the jointer can be used to remove excess material and achieve a clean finish. A slicker is used as a final pass to protect the mortar from water and rain.
Cleaning Tools
After completing a job, it's essential to have the right cleaning tools on hand. The sponge is a favorite tool among Masons, providing a soft yet effective way to wipe down surfaces. The rubber mallet is also an excellent tool for tapping bricks into place without damaging them.
Baker's Tool and Mixers
The Baker's tool has gained popularity in recent years due to its ease of use and speed. This tool allows the user to apply mortar with precision, making it perfect for small projects around the house. Additionally, mixers like the one Mark used are a convenient way to premix mortar, making it simple to add water and get started on any project.
Gloves and Safety
When working on a job site, safety is paramount. The gloves that Mark demonstrated are form-fitting and provide easy grip while protecting the hands from dust and cutting tools. Eye protection is also essential when working with masonry materials, as metal hammers can create flying debris.
Evolving Business Practices
As technology advances, so do business practices. Mark mentioned that he used to have to mix sand, add mortar, and then add water, whereas now everything is premixed in a bag, making it simple to get started on any project. This shift towards evolution has made it easier for Masons to tackle small projects around the house.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a well-stocked tool kit is essential for any homeowner who wants to tackle small jobs around the house. By having the right tools and materials, you can complete projects with ease and precision. From measuring with torpedo levels to applying mortar with Baker's tools, we hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of what's necessary for a Mason's tool kit.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhey Mark Hey Kevin wow you emptied your tool bag for us I like it I did so I put together a little kit for a homeowner everything a Mason needs everything they would need for small jobs at their house is right in front of us what do you got so start with you need a tape obviously you're going to need to measure stuff that's what the tape is for this nice bright line right here is going to help us get a straight line from A to B just go from pull it tight and just lay right up to it that's it this is what we call a torpedo it's nothing that I would use I use a twoot level and a 4ft level but for a homeowner a torpedo level is perfect gotcha all right see your brick Hammer there well worn well worn this is my own brick Hammer right here and you can see I got a nice Edge on it so if I have to cut a brick or a stone it is impressive to see someone cut a straight line with a blunt tool yep a lot of practice but it happens we have a variety of chisels they're different sizes because we have different masonry joints that we might have to extract from say a stone wall they vary quite a bit B right and the big boy the big boy right there so if you got to do any chopping into a cement or even a brick mortar joint that's going to be the guy this orange protector right there is going to stop you from getting hurt Miss more than once right that's right so we're talking mostly demo and cleanup there and then we've got application here that's right this is what we call a finish triel so if you had to repair any of your concrete work around the house a patio or a walkway after you got the cement in you smooth it off with this guy okay uh this right here of course you know that is your brick travel so if we were doing a step repair or even a stone wall repair this is our tool this is a 10-in travel that's very typical of what even a Mason would use this Trel again you can see it's much smaller but you can see that angle in there that's going to allow us to get into all the nooks and crannies that we need to right uh this right here is called a margin Trel again some of the stone joints that we are going to be taking out and putting back are wide so that tool will come in handy so we've seen you use them by by themselves but then we've also seen you use in combination two tools as once fill it up with Mor to push it in with the well push it into the joints yep jointer right so this is a jointer very simply uh and again you've seen me do it a million times I'll I'll go in I'll fill the joints but this end Edge right here is also what we call a Slicker so the final pass that we make on that mortar joint is going to be slicked that's going to protect it from the water and the rain seal it up seal it up nice clean up clean up this is a this is a harder bristle right there so got clean up the floor that's what I'm going to want to use is softer but that soft brush right there that's what I'm going to use on my final brick work I'm going to brush that work down that's why I want the soft bristle wipe off the um you guys call them the what do you guys call them we call them snots WIP off the snots always love to say it y love it U more cleanup obviously more clean up my favorite tool the sponge everything looks neat and clean when you're done gotcha yep these rubber mallets right here they're perfect for Brick walkways that are based in sand y sometimes they settle so we'll pick the brick up we'll put down more sand tap tap tap with a rubber mallet that way we don't we don't damage the brick right and then uh oh my goodness so this is literally a Baker's tool but uh this is what guys are using today and it's very easy for a homeowner to use instead of uh you and I taking these tools to join up a wall all you do is dump the morar into that bag and you use it just like a baker so it's a pastry bag it's a pastry bag I've literally seen it used before I mean we did this down in Carolina and guys were just squeezing it into all of the joints remarkable super timesaver do you consider cheating I mean you're old school so a little bit old school but I'll tell you what I'm kind of into it so you are yep you got one in your bag the speed is just incredible so more efficiency you're evolving got to go with it yes all right evolving speaking of old school I don't see you use this very often so yeah you're right again not a huge glove guy I like to feel the material as I go along but these these gloves you can see their form fitting that's rubber right there so easy grip but it forms around the hand you know tightly and the guys seem to yeah to really get along with it so eye protection obviously metal hammers on Stone you want anything flying back at you and a lot of dust a lot of dust so protect yourself these three items are going to do that that's going to protect you from the dust this is going to protect the eyes and then of course the gloves dust from cutting but also from mixing um and I've never seen you on a job site without one or six these okay so so more evolution in our business I used to have to put the sand then add the morar then mix that all together add water then I had my product right now as you know everything is premixed in a bag dump it into the tub add water and you're good to go makes it nice and simple okay so if a guy like me were to wanting to do some projects around the house um if I bought what's on this table and around me have I got what I need for the basic projects definitely everything right here is is going to get you good to go you can do anything cool all right well good information thank you you got it Kevin how am I doing up here okay oh know you look great yeah that's my asset brush though check your lip it's goone thanks for watching this old house has got a video for just about every Home Improvement project so be sure to check out the others and if you like what you see click on the Subscribe button make sure that you get our newest videos right 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