Bricklaying Basics

When you build with bricks you're creating something that can be appreciated for generations. It's not uncommon to find structures in complete ruin except for the masonry such as a brick chimney or wall.

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The reasons for do-it-yourself bricklaying vary, but the primary reason seems to be cost. Others include learning a valuable skill for starting a new business, or simply learning a new hobby. Planning a bricklaying project begins with gathering ideas and envisioning the end result. Don't overlook this step. Masonry is permanent so be cautious and remember you need to do it right - the results of your efforts will be on public display for a long, long time.

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As you begin your planning it's important to consider size and scale, location, material selection, drainage and appearance. Make deatiled drawings of the planned project so to eliminate design flaws and aid in estimating building costs.

Visit your local home improvement center or hardware store and collect samples of the material you have in mind and evaluate the way they blend with your existing landscaping. Depending on whether you plan on pouring a small slab or building a brick archway, estimate the dimensions of your project as accurately as possible. This eliminates extra shopping trips. Since your using brick the local brickyard is where you'll find the best supply of bricklayers material. They also carry the tools you are going to need.

Speaking of the tools, and to work effectively you are going to have to buy or rent some special purpose tools. I suggest that if this is a one-time project then by all means rent the tools. What follows is a suggested list of tools for doing brickwork:

Mortar hawk - for holding mortar

Wide pointing tool - for placing mortar on brick

Jointer - for finishing joints

Brick tongs - for carrying multiple bricks

Narrow tuck pointer - for placing mortar on bricks

Mason's trowel - for applying mortar

Masonry chisels - for splitting brick

Mason's hammers - for chipping brick

Maul - for driving stakes

Joint chisel - for removing dry mortar

Shop broom - for keeping the work area clean

Bucket and scrub brush

Stiff bristle brush - for removing loose material

Rubber mallet

Pipe clamp - for scoring large quantities of brick

Circular saw (with a masinry blade) - for cutting brick

Hammer drill with masonry bit

Wheelbarrow - for mixing mortar

Shovel

Cement - for mixing mortar

Particle mask, gloves and protective eyewear

A helpful hint is to build your project, if possible without using mortar. This allows you to see the finished project, make corrections along the way and decide if the end result is really what you wanted.

The last thing I'll cover is choosing, mixing and throwing the right mortar. Masonry mortar is a mixture of Portland cement, sand and water. Other ingredients include lime and gypsum to improve workability and control setup time. Believe it or not the strongest mortar mixture isn't always the best for the job. Gone thankfully are the days when do-it-yourselfers had to mix mortar fom scratch, often with disasterous results. These days mortar comes premixed in 50 - 100 lb bags. Today you simply select the correct mix for the job at hand.

Type N mortar is often called for because it offers a good blend of strength and durability. It's commonly used in non-load-bearing projects such as freestanding walls, BBQ grills and chimneys.

Type S mortar is a high strength mixture for exterior use in foundations, brick and block reatining walls, driveways, walks and patios,

Type M mortar is a very high strength mortar for load-bearing exterior stone walls.

There are other types mixes for special purpose but fo the sake of simplicity I left them out o this article.

Mixing mortar is simple these days. I dump one to two bags of mix into a large wheelbarrow, push it to one side and slowly add water until I get the right texture I want. If it's too thick , it will fall off the trowel in a heap and not in the smooth line you want. Add to much water and it's messy and weak. Just follow the manufacturers directions and you should be fine. If you've never mixed mortar before experiment in small batches until you find the mixture that works. Keep note of your mixture ratios to use later.

Don't mix mortar in large batches unless you are willing to use it all in one application. More than one do-it-yourslf bricklayer has ended up with a wheelbarrow filled with 200 lbs of dried mortar for this reason. It's best to mix mortar as needed. You can't foresee delays such as bad weather, running out of daylight or worse yet injuring yourself.

Watching a professional bricklayer at work is an impressive sight. I remember as a small child living with my grandparents and watching their new home being built. The mortar practically flew off the workers trowels and the walls seemed to rise out of the ground in minutes. "Mortar throwing" is an acquired skill that takes years to master, but you can use the basic techniques successfully with just a little practice.

Throwing mortar is a quick, smooth technique. Load the trowel with mortar (how much depends on you comfort level), then position the trowel a few inches above the starting point. In one motion, begin turning your wrist over and quickly move the trowel across the surface to spread mortar consistently. Ideally you want ot end up with a line of mortar about 2 1/2 " wide and about 2 ' long.

These are the very basics. There are numerous books and how-to videos on countless masonry projects. Just remember to plan accordingly, take your time and above all ... be safe.

Bricklaying Basics

Chuck Drill

4-Inch Hex Impact Drivers 201

Dec 17, 2011 15:39:56

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Christmas Sales Hitachi 725405 3/8-Inch Keyless Conversion Chuck for 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Drivers Feature

Converts 1/4-Inch hex drive for drilling applications up to 3/8-Inch shank drilling and driving bits
High rotational torque capacity
Patented key-less locking mechanism prevents bit spin
1/4-Inch hex quick connect allows users to change from fastening to drilling easily
Fiber re-inforced composite material provides strength without adding significant weight

Christmas Sales Hitachi 725405 3/8-Inch Keyless Conversion Chuck for 1/4-Inch Hex Impact Drivers Overview

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How to Use a Drill

For people who have never used, held, or have even seen a real power drill, using one can be a quite an experience. I remember a long while ago when my mother attempted to use a drill just to simply hang a new picture in our living room. I heard the loud whirling of my fathers drill, then an overwhelming shriek coming from my mothers mouth.

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Everything was fine, she wasn't hurt or anything. Turns out that she has just never used a drill before and didn't expect it's power and noise so it just frightened her.

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I'm sure many people have gone through this experience not knowing what to expect. Well, hopefully you can just pass this article off to someone before they use a drill so they aren't caught so off guard

Most drills come in the shape of a pistol that fit nice and comfortable in your hand. The pistol shaped drills even have a trigger you need to squeeze in order to make the motor work. Many times, like a pistol, drills even come equipped with a safety mechanism next to the trigger so it will not allow it to work until you release the safety button.

Long ago you had to run an extension cord of long wire just so the drill could reach the job where you needed to use it. Today however, many drills come cordless and have a high powered battery that needs to be charged and recharged after every use.

So how does a drill work? The drill works when you press the trigger, the long extension with the drill bit spins either clockwise or counter clockwise. You can set which way you want it to spin according to what you are doing. Normally, a clockwise rotation means you are drilling something in and counter clockwise would spin the threads out.

Most drills allow you to put in several types of drill bits to fit the job you are going to use it for. Just simply put the drill bit into the end of the drill and fasten it in using either a chuck key or fastening collar.

Drills are most often used for making holes, so you'll have to decide how big or small of a drill bit you'll need before you begin drilling away. A hole too big will often have to be repaired as you won't be able to use it. A hole to small will just make it hard to put the screw or fastener into it and you'll just have to make it bigger. Just make sure you know exactly how big of hole you need to create before you start drilling away.

How to Use a Drill

Chuck Drill

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Bosch Cordless Drill Review - Learn the Truth About the Bosch Drill Now

A Bosch Cordless Drill is definitely something to consider, as Bosch is one of the most known companies in the industry today. Basically, if you've been looking for a drill for any length of time, this is one you've no doubt come across. Is it as good as advertised?

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Fortunately, you don't have to buy it and find out for yourself to learn the answer. The much simpler solution is to read online reviews such as the following.

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33618 Brute Tough 18

This is one of the most popular Bosch Drills, so its' the one we will look at for this review.

Positives

This one specifically is very strong and lasts quite a long time. The gearbox has 2 speeds, and they are made with 1005 meal to ensure they last the longest amount of time. They possess as much as five hundred inch-pounds of torque and a max of thirteen hundred revolutions per minute at their peak.

The engine is eighteen volt, and comes with overload safety to help keep it working well as long as possible. Believe it or not, the company says that this Bosch Cordless Drill is able to stand a fall of as much as one full story.

While this hasn't been verified, it still shows that it is a high quality drill, and very hard to damage. The chuck is one half inches, and depending on the website or store you purchase it from, it will be sold with 2 batteries, a sixty minute charger and a case to lug it around with.

The chuck doesn't require the use of a key, meaning you can change bits at a quicker rate,
One of the best things about this Bosch Cordless Drill is that the batteries last two and two fifths amp hours, certainly among the best of its' class. It has a rubber grip to ensure it won't be constantly slipping out of your hands.

Negatives

The one drawback of this particular model is its' weight; very simply, it is not one of the lighter models around, making carrying it around somewhat of a burdensome task. It's also somewhat difficult to drill with a model this heavy.

On the whole, this is a reliable and powerful drill both for the home and the job site. This Bosch Cordless Drill is a great machine and one I would recommend.

Bosch Cordless Drill Review - Learn the Truth About the Bosch Drill Now

Chuck Drill

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You Can Make a Honey Extractor

If you want to get the honey from your beehive you be obliged to extract the honey from the honey comb. This is where a honey extractor comes into play. You can buy one for 0 to 0. If there are other known beekeepers in your area you can pool your funds and buy one to share. However if you don't know other beekeepers and money is tight you might want to consider building your own.

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The basic materials include a metal rod that is about 3 feet long with threads, 2 bike wheel rims, three feet of fencing wire, ten bolts for the rod, a metal drum, four 400mm sections of 8mm threaded rod, a self centering bearing, six coach screws, 2 pieces of wood and one pillow exclude bearing. Be truly the metal drum has never been used with toxic chemicals. You can put these all together with a hack saw, welder, electric drill and socket set.

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Step one is to remove the end of the drum that does not have two pouring holes. This newly opened end will be the top of your honey extractor. Then the coach screws are used to attach one of the pieces of wood across the bottom of the drum. Secure the pillow arrest to the wood. After inserting the threaded rod throughout the center of the first bicycle rim, securely bolt the rim to the rod approximately ten centimeters from the end of the rod. At the opposite end of the rod you will want to thread a butt for the other wheel, the second wheel rests on this nut. When both of the wheel rims are in place, drill holes in four spots around each wheel. Then to conclude you use the 8mm rods to lock the wheel rims in conjunction. Use two nuts onto the rod. Make sure that two cm of rod protrude.

When this is conclude you are passing to cut a slit that is10mm deep and 3mm broad into the end of the rod. After this thread the lock the nuts together at the end of the rod. When you think the nuts are in place use the welder to lock them into place. Fasten the wire to the spokes of the bottom wheel rim, approximately 5-8cm from the rim. You now have successfully made the basket of your honey extractor.

Acquire your newly crafted extractor basket and place it into the drum, setting it on the pillow bearing. Now you're going to want to bolt a second piece of wood to the sides of the drum and the self centering bearing.

After drilling a screwdriver bit into the chuck, place the chuck into the slit into the slot in the top of the threaded rod.

You Can Make a Honey Extractor

Chuck Drill

Christmas Sales Jacobs Chuck 30602 1/2-Inch Keyed Chuck 201

Dec 14, 2011 22:16:18

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Christmas Sales Jacobs Chuck 30602 1/2-Inch Keyed Chuck Feature

Returns will not be honored on this closeout item

Christmas Sales Jacobs Chuck 30602 1/2-Inch Keyed Chuck Overview

Considering their through-hardened jaws and superior internal construction, it's no surprise that these Jacobs® drill chucks are the most popular on the market. Chucks include key.

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The Porter Cable PCL180DK 2 18v Half Inch Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill

It can be a little daunting when you are looking to purchase a cordless drill for your home or even for your professional tasks. If you are looking for reliability plus utility, The Porter-Cable cordless drill is an awesome piece of tool that is both light and comfortable yet delivers the performance you would expect from a handheld cordless drill. It is impressive despite its size and you will find that this cordless drill is really handy if you plan to use it around the house or at your workplace.

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Probably the most important feature one would look for aside for its obvious functions is its battery; No one wants to be stuck with a dead battery when you have a very important task at hand. The cordless drill comes with Li-ion batteries which can be a real winner when you consider the battery life and the short charging time. It takes less than sixty minutes to charge the batteries and Li-Ion batteries holds the charge much longer than Ni-cad battery. There will be no sudden halt when the battery starts to lose its charge but instead you will experience occasional loss of power, which is a good indicator that it is time to recharge those batteries.

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As a powerful 18 V cordless drill, his drill delivers the function and performance one would expect from an 18 V handheld drill. It delivers the torque and power and yet it is good enough for those simple tasks which require les power to get the job done right.

This cordless drill comes with a two-speed ½ inch keyless chuck. There are varying levels of adjustable speeds that you can use, which makes this cordless drill a real winner. You would need different levels of speed to deal with different materials and this cordless drill comes with a 24-positon torque adjustments. Low levels of speed would be perfect for jobs around the house such as screwing and unscrewing the toys or kitchen utensils. If you use a high speed on such tasks, you would strip the head off the screw.

There is one unique feature of the Porter-Cable cordless drill. There is an LED light that is installed above the trigger. However, the position of the light makes it less useful than it should be. The position that it is placed makes the tip of the drill lies in the shadow of the keyless chuck, If the Porter-Cable manufacturers could move this into a more favorable position, this feature would come in handy indeed.

Porter-Cable is a trusted name when it comes to reliable power tools. The Porter-Cable cordless drill is a very powerful tool which makes handling difficult tasks exceptionally easy. It retails for 9.99 which makes it affordable for anyone looking to purchase a reliable cordless drill for jobs around the house or even at the workplace. You can get your own Porter Cable cordless drill from the local hardware stores or you can choose to shop online which makes it ideal if you are looking for the best prices around.

The Porter Cable PCL180DK 2 18v Half Inch Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill

Chuck Drill

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3 Best Spade Handle Drills

Helping craftsmen drill though the roughest, most extended applications, a spade handle drill is a vital component for most industrial workers. With better balance, comfort, and stability one of these drilling machines can be a real life-saver, especially for the most heavy-duty craftsmen. These more industrial folks, of course, require the most high-performance power tools, and these spade handle drill models from Makita and Milwaukee, with superior design and performance, leave absolutely nothing to be wanted. When searching for the highest-quality spade handle drills, look no further than these three power tools.

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The Makita DS4000 (1/2") spade handle drill is a hugely high-quality tool boasting one of the toughest motors in the industry. With 9 amps of power and 500 RPM the tool offers aggressive torque to match each task, and its durable all-metal housing is tough enough to withstand industrial wear and tear. While durable, the tool is still lightweight for easier portability and comfortable operation, and built with ultra tough, precision-ground metal gears designed to withstand the rigors of forward and reverse transitions (and also with an ball bearing construction), the tool is a strong, healthy, and smooth-operating asset. A heavy-duty industrial (1/2") drill chuck grabs tightly to your drill bits and the tool's well-formed D-handle rotates a complete 360° for optimized movement and operation. The drill's comfortable 12" pipe handle provides users with enhanced control over the tool and its motions, and with externally accessible brushes (a craftsmen favorite feature), operators have simpler access to the brushes for simpler replacements. Overall, the tool is sturdy, well-balanced, and provides all the power and support to better drill the roughest applications.

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Also from Makita, the 6013BR (1/2") spade handle drill is a remarkable little tool with surprisingly big power. With a 6.3 amp, 550 RPM motor the tool is a spade-handled powerhouse with with the authority to master all of your wood and steel drilling projects. The drill has a rocker type switch designed for easy one-handed forward or reverse operation, and with a D-handle the tool reigns in comfort with a complete 360 degrees of rotation; this movement provides multiple position options on the job. Additionally, the tool's ball bearing construction enhances the overall lifespan and smooth performance of the drill, and with a heavy-duty industrial (1/2") drill chuck that bites tightly to your bits, you can rely on the most accurate drilling achievable. Stable and capable, the drill is perfectly equip for the rowdiest of applications. Perhaps the most favorite feature of this tool is its chuck key. Too often craftsmen lose or misplace their chuck keys only to run into a boat-load of frustration when they need it. However, problem solved: the 6013BR's handle has a cozy little space especially for your chuck key ensuring you always have it when you need it.

Additionally, Milwaukee is known for building some of the greatest corded drills in the industry, and as far as exceptional, superior quality is concerned, they have built a truly best in class power tool with their 1660-6. The 1660-6 (1/2") compact spade handle drill is a seriously tough power tool built with Milwaukee's standard durability and high-performance, and despite being a compact drill, the 1660-6 is chock full of power boasting a 7 amp (450 RPM, reversing) motor and the overall sturdiness to complete your toughest applications with striking ease. Additionally, this compact design and the tool's extra long handles render the tool quite simple and comfortable to operate - even during the most rigorous applications the tool is stable and bears much of the working burden for you. Designed for heavy-duty, two-handed operation the drill is ideal for large hole drilling, material mixing, and other like applications. The tool touts heat treated helical gears for smooth, quiet performance and overall durability, and performs like a dream in high-torque situations consistently flaunting its big power and authoritative presence.

Ultimately, any of these models are certain to bring you remarkably good results, and with the high-performance and sound warranty of their manufacturers, these tools are top-tier, top-performing, industrially drilling, super-fine power tools.

3 Best Spade Handle Drills

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Christmas Sales Milwaukee 0233-20 Magnum 5.5-Amp 3/8-Inch Drill with Keyless Chuck 201

Dec 13, 2011 05:02:40

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Christmas Sales Milwaukee 0233-20 Magnum 5.5-Amp 3/8-Inch Drill with Keyless Chuck Feature

Trigger speed control reversing
all ball and roller bearings
Powerful 5.5 amp motor 0-2800 RPM
Removable brush cartridge system
Limited warranty, 30-day no-risk trial

Christmas Sales Milwaukee 0233-20 Magnum 5.5-Amp 3/8-Inch Drill with Keyless Chuck Overview

For day in, day out drilling and driving in wood, steel, or plastic, there might not be a better tool than Milwaukee's Magnum hole shooter. The aluminum/magnesium alloy on the gear case cuts down on the tool's weight, and the glass-reinforced nylon handle makes it a bit lighter, too--but let there be no doubt: when it comes to results, this is the same heavy-duty, ridiculously powerful, no-nonsense tool it's always been. The shooter is built with a stacked design--meaning the drill's interior parts stack on top of each other--which makes replacing parts (like a switch) much easier to do as the whole drill doesn't need to be taken apart. The handle is designed so you can hold it two ways--either pistol-grip or with the palm of your hand resting on the top back portion--making the drill an extension of your arm. As a result, you can really get behind it while still easily reaching the trigger with your fingers; the finger slots add comfort. The carbon brushes are easy to access and change. And this model comes with a convenient and reliable all-metal, two-sleeve keyless chuck.

If you're looking for a serious, long-lasting drill, you can't go wrong here. Milwaukee's hole shooter is a very high quality tool that will serve you for years and years and years. --Dori Anvinson

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Circular Power Saws - How To Choose And Use Safely

Any portable saw you buy for your home or shop should be capable of cutting a 2 x 4 piece of wood at a 45-degree angle. In general, saws that have a blade diameter of 7 or more inches are good choices. Using a saw safely should be of primary importance. In this article I'll cover the basics on saw selection and safety practices.

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A number of considerations have a bearing on your decision when buying a circular saw. Do you want powered or cordless? Does the saw come equipped with a depth adjustment, which enables you to make shallow cuts when required; an angled adjustment for cutting miters and bevels; and a ripping fence, which guides the saw when you want to rip a board to a specific width? It should have an automatic spring-loaded blade guard that retracts as the blade enters the work area, and then covers the exposed part of the blade as soon as the cut has been completed.

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Since most present-day saws have all these features, your final choice often depends on how conveniently a saw operates and how easily the adjustments are made. Another major consideration should be the weight of the tool. Think about how long you intend to use it in any one stretch of time. Large-sized adjustment nuts are a worthy consideration, as is an easy-to-grip handle on the blade guard. In addition to the saw handle, which contains the trigger starting switch, a knob on the end of the motor housing is convenient as an extra handle for awkward situations. This feature is not essential with smaller saws.

Safety Practices

When using any portable saw, always be sure that the work to be cut is firmly supported, or held, so that it will not shift during the cut. Start the saw before the blade enters the work and guide it straight along the cutting line. Veering can cause jamming, stalling, possible motor damage, or even worse the entire tool may jump or hop out of the wood creating the possibility of a serious injury. Be especially careful not to let the saw veer when using a masonry-cutting blade. Blade breakage could result and the flying shrapnel may cause injury. If a long piece of wood is to be cut, it should be supported by a helper. It must not be moved during the cut in such a way as to close the cut and bind the blade. Keep a firm grip on the saw with your right hand, and keep your left hand well away from the saw. Make certain also that the cord is well out of the way so it will not be cut by the blade.

Maintain a strong grip on the saw to keep it from tipping or dropping at the end of the cut. Keep your hands clear of the blade during the time required for it to come to a complete stop. It's also a good idea not to touch the blade immediately after it stops as it's probably hot enough to burn you. Never adjust the saw without first disconnecting the power cord.

Picking the right circular saw is largely a matter of personal choice. Using the tool safely is a matter of common sense. Pick wisely and use it even more wisely.

Circular Power Saws - How To Choose And Use Safely

Chuck Drill