Bricklayer - Tools Needed In Bricklaying

Bricklaying can be used to build everything from a garden wall to a house using the same basic tools and equipment as have been used for centuries.  Although the tools for bricklaying are fairly basic, the most important part of bricklaying is painstakingly checking walls for gauge, level, plumb and straight in order to keep your structure strong and durable. 

The basic tools for bricklaying come in three categories:

1. Bricklayer Trowels And Bricklayer Pointers
2. Bricklayer Hammer And Bricklayer Chisels
3. Bricklayer Measuring Devices
4. Bricklayer Mixing Board

Bricklayer Trowel And Pointers

The basic masonry trowel is for everything from mixing the mortar to spreading the mortar bed as well as buttering the bricks. This tool is the primary tool for bricklaying and needs to be cleaned in between uses and should be dried and protected from rust. Once the bricklaying has begun, the pointing tools create the finish in the joints. Each of the pointing tools creates a slightly different mortar joint. The pointing trowel creates a weather struck joint finish but can also patch small holes or gaps in old brickwork. The bucket handle jointing bar creates a rounded joint finish also known as key jointing. The chariot creates recessed joints referred to as square joints.

Bricklayer Hammer And Chisels

There are a few hammers used for the same job in bricklaying so it is personal preference in some cases as to which hammer is the most useful in a bricklaying tool bag. The lump hammer is for breaking blocks and is used with a bolster. A bolster is a wide bladed chisel used for breaking bricks. It is important to have a grindstone to keep the bolster sharp since masonry will quickly dull the edge. The brick hammer is also for breaking bricks with a bolster but its blade end can be used for trimming brick edges. The skutch hammer is a tool for breaking bricks with removable combed and toothed ends.

Bricklayer Measuring Devices

The measuring tape is the first tool used in bricklaying. The measuring tape helps lay out the footings of the bricklaying project. This measurement should always be tested with a dry laying of the bottom course of bricks. A box ruler is a useful tool for short measurements and more accurate than a tape measure for interior measurements. Lines and Pins are guides to help keep the masonry courses true and aligned. Corner Blocks hold the pins and lines in place. Bricklaying utilizes two main types of levels: boat levels and spirit levels. Boat levels are for leveling small items like individual bricks. A spirit level is a bricklaying tool 900mm or 1200mm used to level and plumb a course of bricks.

In addition to these three types of tools, there are a few miscellaneous tools to have on site. A wheelbarrow is useful for mixing mortar as well as transporting mortar. A banister brush is used for brushing mortar off the masonry after recessed jointing or key jointing. In addition, a bucket is good to have around for adding water to mortar mixtures.