10 Different Types of Bricklaying Tools

It's safe to assume that most of us will come into contact with masonry in some capacity during our lifetimes. You may have done simple ones like smoothing the mortar and laying structural insulated walkways, and more complex ones like repairing or constructing a wall. You've probably used a bricklaying tool at some point, for whatever purpose.

Don't worry if you've never used one before; all it takes is a little bit of study and experimentation to become proficient. Some of the most typical bricklaying tools are listed below:

1. Trowel

A trowel is a tool used in trowel masonry. This compact device is used for forming, shaping, and spreading concrete. You can't have a bricklayer's toolkit without it.

Trowels for masonry work often come in steel or stainless steel. Many different manifestations of it exist.

Popular masonry tools include brick trowels. The mortar is disseminated by its pointed blade and snout.

A pointing trowel can be confused with a brick trowel as both are similar looking tools. Smaller trowels are used for pointing. It gets into spaces where a brick trowel wouldn't go. It can be tucked away neatly in the corner of a floor or table.

What you need is a trowel for the floor. Floors and walls are leveled using this rectangular tool before being tiled or marbled.

An edging trowel can remove surface air bubbles. Equipment with a rounded tip.

A finishing trowel is a must. It's essential for finishing off any masonry projects. A long, rectangular tool used to level the top layer of mortar or concrete.

2. Hammer

You can't not envision a hammer. This age-old carpentry implement easily cracks massive blocks of stone and cement. Lighter weight is a benefit of using a trowel.

Hammers come in a wide range of styles, varying by use in different types of bricklaying. Brick hammers have small, pointed blades. Its flat side can cut brick or stone edges.

Masonry hammer features a rubber handle to reduce hand fatigue and vibrations. Meanwhile, heat treatment of the rim reduces the likelihood of chipping and breaking. It's not bulky, yet it holds up well.

Claw hammer has two sides, one is flat which other end is curved. It's utilized in woodworking and brickwork. Curved side is used for nail-pulling and flat side is used for hammering nails.

The sledgehammer used for demolition is hefty. This hammer, which has a large, flat head, is equipped with a very long handle. Like a mallet, it can spread force over a broad area. It's great for busting through masonry walls.

The lump hammer is used to chisel stone and hammer masonry nails.

3. Shovel

Shovel is used for digging. As a bricklaying tool that is quite central in any construction project involving the use of bricks, mortar, or concrete. The broad blade and curved end of this implement are instantly recognizable. Shovels come in different shapes and sizes, just like hammers and trowels.

Digging shovels are popular though it has other uses also. Its sharp edge allows it to dig holes, scoop up dirt, and shovel gravel and concrete. The pointed shovel tip is ideal for digging. When using a shovel for bricklaying, it is important to always protect yourself from its sharp edge.

4. Spade-digging

People link spades with gardening, not building. Bricklaying requires a digging spade.

Digging with a spade is much quicker. This versatile device prepares ditches for walls and other buildings.

People often mistake a shovel for a spade. Both the spade and the shovel are used to dig and to scoop, respectively. A spade's blade is rectangular.

The strongest and most durable digging spades have steel blades. A good digging spade will not rust, scratch, or deteriorate in wet conditions. Pick a spade that you can easily use towards the end of the day.

5. Chisel

This small bricklaying tool is incredibly useful. To shape and cut stone and mortar, you may use a chisel. Masonry chisels are specialized tools used in the trade just like any other.

Brick chisel is sometimes known as a bolster set, great for cleanly slicing through brickwork. With the help of this powerful instrument, you may effortlessly break through concrete and brick walls. The large blade easily slices through thick materials like masonry blocks. A brick chisel is a handy tool that can be used to chip away at bricks with minimal effort and is protected by molded handguards.

As for breaking down old mortar, that's best done with a cold chisel. It comes in a range of sizes, from 6mm to 30mm. It measures about 6 inches in length. Usually, steel hammers are used in conjunction with it.

A masonry chisel could also be used. Instead of using a brick chisel, this instrument can be used to cut through cement blocks and bricks. In addition, it can be used to clean up any mortar that has been applied too liberally. During demolition, it is typically linked to hammer drills. Their massive heads may crack and wedge through tough substances. The handles, meanwhile, are built with safety in mind, which is especially important considering the tool's heft.

Another trustworthy instrument for brickwork is the plugging chisel. For almost a century, roofers have relied on this tool to clean old mortar from bricks. Its tip is star-shaped and it's really lengthy. This chisel blade is great for making holes. For a more powerful drilling effect, the chisel's head is struck repeatedly. A carbon steel plugging chisel is preferable because it won't splinter when force is applied to it.

6. Levels

The quality of your brickwork relies on your ability to keep everything even. The bricks need to be placed in the right spots. A one-inch tilt can compromise the stability of the entire building. A level is useful in this situation. If you have a good level, you can make sure that everything is square and secure. This makes level a vital bricklaying tool.

The standard length of a Mason's level is 4 feet. A generally accepted rule is that the longer the level, the more precise it is. When working with stone or concrete, a mason's level needs to be both precise and durable. After all, you'd have to pound on it to level bricks and blocks.

Expert masons will tell you that you need at least three stories. A 48-inch level is ideal for use on larger surfaces, while a 24-inch level is more suitable to use in confined areas.

7. Hawk

Plasterers utilize a hawk, which is a plate-shaped equipment, to store and easily retrieve mortar and other related materials. No more "back and forth" for mortar when you have a hawk. Besides retaining tape and joint compound, it can be used for both functions.

Do not confuse it with a mixing board. The hawk can be easily transported in contrast to the former. Keep it close to the surface you're focusing on while working. However, a mixing board is typically installed on a pedestal for convenience.

A hawk is made out of a square board about 13 inches in size and a handle set at a right angle to the board in the middle of the back. Using your non-dominant hand, hold the hawk horizontally while you apply the substance with your dominant hand.

Then, why does it refer to itself as a "hawk"? Perhaps this is because the gadget is held by the user like a bird of prey on their arm.

8. Scale

Like a hammer, a tape measure is necessary for carpentry and masonry. Accurate measuring is essential in the bricklaying trade. No builder, no matter how seasoned, should rely on visual inspection alone. For this reason, bricklaying tools like tape measures are indispensable.

With a scale, you can figure out how many bricks you'll need and how tall each course will be. Expert masons use measuring tapes to position windows and doors in their frames before breaking ground.

You should use a steel measuring tape. Minimum 5 meters length. A bricklayer's measuring tape should be able to auto-lock, have a sizable belt clip, an end hook that adjusts itself, and retract on its own.

9. Gauge Rod

Bricklayers use a 2-3-meter gauge rod to measure courses. Made of aluminum or wood, it ensures that each brick course is the same height. All corners of a structure you create will be equal height when finished. The gauge rod is one of the few bricklaying tools that may be made from scratch.

10. Line Pins

Bricklayer line pins makes for uniform and straight bricks. It's essential to normal operation, because without it, nothing will run properly.

Line pins are easy and simple to use. You need only place the pins precisely where you want them to stay enable by their tapered tips. The line pins would keep your line in place after installation, saving you time and money. Plus, these pins are reasonably priced, so you may buy several without breaking the bank.

Line blocks, like line pins, are a useful bricklaying tool. This time around, though, it's a corner reinforcement material. However, brick masons must improvise these tools because they cannot be found at hardware stores.

Bricklaying a specialist professional. The appropriate use of these bricklaying tools is the task of an expert bricklayer. Easefix.com is a useful platform for qualified and expert masonry services. Use Easefix.com to find professional roofing services. Visit our page to post your job now.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are a bricklayer's essential tools?

Bricklayers rely heavily on trowels. When layering bricks, masons use them to spread mortar or plaster. The blade of this compact hand tool is flat and can be anywhere from five to twelve inches in length.

2. What is hammer used by bricklayer called?

The stonemason's hammer, also known as a brick hammer, has a single flat standard face and a short or long blade in the style of a chisel. Consequently, it can be used to chip off edges or small pieces of stone without the need for a separate chisel.

3. What tool is used for leveling when working with bricks?

Spirit level is used in conjunction with a straight edge to obtain a horizontal surface and to level objects. Using the plumb rule, brick walls are examined for verticality.

4. What names are used for brick workers?

Brick, terra cotta, precast masonry panels, concrete block, and other masonry materials are used by brickmasons and blockmasons, who are also referred to as bricklayers, to build and repair walls, fireplaces, and other structures. Brickwork is repaired by brickmasons who specialize in pointing, cleaning, and caulking, especially on older constructions.