The Brickie

[Wainscotting]

Watched a demo of this on one of the shopping channels today - is it really that easy to use?

[Rick Dipper]

If you have a straight wall, with no wall ties, insulation or anything silly like that ........ See if you can spot any of these in the video

I have almost finished building a house with little previous brickie experience, some tips, from bitter experience

1) start with lightweight blocks, the 7N ones are too heavy, I started with 7N 20Kg blocks, I wish I had not ... 2) get a LONG stright edge, a medium and short spirit level - use them - LOTS 3) don't mix the mortar too wet 4) worry less about getting each brick level, than you do about getting it in line, and vertical 5) if the brick anit' right, take it off & do it again 6) Keeping the bricks clean for neet pointing is hard 7) wet bricks are hard 8) work from waist to chest height where possible, reaching up to head height is a disaster 9) buy trowels with BIG handels (wickes do some own brand ones), 11 inch trowels are for other people. 10) don't mix too much motar in one go - and use a cement mixer !!!

11) if you look at it in the morning, and its no good, knock it down and do it again ......

12) use a spot board.

Rick

[logized]

I am glad you mentioned it - I searched for a web page about it then noticed another tool on the same page that may save me a lot of time doing re-pointing (Durgun model 45) By the way, it may be cheaper to order from the web instead of the shopping channel - here is the page

[Mary Fisher]

It's rare to see such good sense as the above.

However, on this ng it's not uncommon. I feel prvileged that I have access to such experience.

Mary

[Wainscotting]

So probably ok for BBQ build or flower bed walls etc. Not envisaging building my own house but your pearls of wisdom would be invaluable if I ever think about something more ambitious.

Many thanks Rick

[Rick Dipper]

I encourage you to try without it, there is no way profesional use this tihing. and yes, like you I thought it was a good idea at the start .....

Rick